Training Instructor

Summary Securing Travel, Protecting People – At the Transportation Security Administration, you will serve in a high-stakes environment to safeguard the American way of life. In cities across the country, you would secure airports, seaports, railroads, highways, and/or public transit systems, thus protecting Americas transportation infrastructure and ensuring freedom of movement for people and commerce. Responsibilities This Training Instructor position is located Miami International Airport (MIA), Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If selected for this position, you will serve as a Training Instructor for the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Programs of TSA. Approximately 80% of your time will be spent in the training of canine handlers and/or canines and the remainder of time will be spent conducting assessments and evaluations of the performance of handlers and canine teams in the detection of explosives. Duties include but are not limited to: Training, distributing, and evaluating TSA explosives detection canines in support of the NEDCTP Working, often independently, to train canine handlers in the detection of explosives and in the handling of explosives detection trained canines. Working with explosives in the training and support of canine explosives detection teams. Performing inventory of hazardous materials used in explosives detection training. Evaluating canine handler teams for the NEDCTP. Conducting the evaluation of handlers and canines of participating local, state and Federal law enforcement agencies. Establishing procedures and policies and providing guidance for most of the training assignments, allowing some discretion in selecting the most appropriate approach. Presenting material in accordance with approved lesson plans and course control documents. Identifying processes for training and evaluating explosives detection canines from initial through advanced levels of explosives detection training. Reviewing all canine training problem solving procedures. Leading in development of technical training presentation and evaluating methodologies and materials including instructor guides, student handouts, audio/visual aids, and other training criteria. Reviewing training practices and developing “best practices” for incorporation into curriculum. Assessing onsite conditions to create realistic training scenarios. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be able to travel outside assigned work location between 7 and 10 nights per month. You will be required to work with various hazardous chemicals including explosives. Physical Demands: You must be physically able to work outdoors, often under adverse weather conditions. May have to lift canines (up to 80 lbs.) or supplies. Work requires walking, bending, and standing. Work Environment: The work environment involves high risks with regular and recurring exposure to weather extremes and to potentially dangerous situations with aggressive dogs. For example, works closely with potentially dangerous animals, where safety precautions cannot eliminate the danger. Incumbent is subject to scratches, bites, unpleasant odors, and loud barking noises. Hazardous duty pay may apply to this position under limited circumstances and in accordance with policy provisions. Must possess U.S. Citizenship or be a U.S. National Must complete a favorable Background Investigation (BI) Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance Selective Service registration is required See additional “Conditions of Employment” and “Other Information” sections Must meet Training Requirements If you fail to meet the conditions of employment or any other pre-employment requirements, such as missing any of the scheduled appointments, the hiring agency may rescind their tentative offer of employment. Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for TSA to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. Qualifications To qualify for the SV-I Pay Band (equivalent to GS-13), you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the SV-H Pay Band or GS-12 in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as: Applying knowledge of canine training programs, principles, and practices to ensure course content and delivery are aligned with the training objectives and organizational goals; and instructing and evaluating the performance of canine and handler teams and making recommendations for improvements, to include developing and reviewing written reports related to canine handle teams. Credit for experience is given based on a 40-hour workweek. Part-time experience is credited on a part-time ratio, i.e., working 20 hours per week for two months equals one month of experience. No additional credit is given for overtime. National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Resumes must include the following: Narrative description of duties with start and end dates (including the month and year) for work experience. State the number of hours worked in a position (i.e. full-time or part-time). If part-time, state the total number of hours worked per week. Performance level (i.e. band or grade) Utilizing the USAJOBS Resume Builder and completing all available fields is strongly encouraged. You must meet the qualification requirements for this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Education Additional Information Eligibility to apply for other Federal positions: TSA is an Excepted Service agency exempt from most of Title 5 United States Code, including regulations which apply to displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) of other agencies, and employment with TSA does not confer “Competitive Status” that generally results from selection and service in Competitive Service agencies. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has established an Interchange Agreement, which allows most permanent TSA employees to apply and be considered for vacancies in Competitive Service agencies. Information from OPM on this or other Interchange Agreements is available at: www.opm.gov/ To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation as a condition of placement into this position. DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306 Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. TSA employees who are absent for the purpose of performing military duty may apply for any vacancies announced in their absence. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. If you are entering TSA employment on an appointment without time limitations, you must serve a basic trial period unless you have already met the requirement. DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select “Benefits.” Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more. Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location – 240 hours, foreign duty location – 360 hours, or TSES position – 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.