Animal Caretaker

Summary

Organizational

Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Training and Development, Field Operations Canine Academy located in Front Royal, VA.

This position starts at an hourly rate of $26.74 (WG‑06, Step 1) to $31.19 (WG‑06, Step 5). In this Animal Caretaker position, you will become a key member of a team of Homeland Security professionals tasked with the day‑to‑day care of Customs and Border Protection owned dogs. Typical work assignments include:

• Handling both untrained and trained canines with varying temperaments under various conditions, to include grooming, exercising, and administering prescribed medication to canines.
• Cleaning of canine kennels, including hosing, sweeping, scrubbing, power spraying, mopping, and removal of canine stools, unconsumed food, and other refuse or debris.
• Maintaining kennels by repairing damaged houses, fencing, gates, and hoses, replacing water buckets, mowing grass, and trimming hedges to keep premises neat and clean to provide a safe environment for canines.
• Disinfecting kennels, feed pans, water buckets, other utensils, and assigned kennel support vehicles, as well as storing feed pans and other utensils in accordance with proper sanitary procedures.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service. Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years is required. All pre‑employment processes will be conducted in English. CBP follows the DHS Drug‑Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.

As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes.

Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.

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. Bargaining Unit:
This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions – NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites – National Treasury Employees Union – NTEU.

Qualification requirements emphasis is on quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time. To minimally qualify for the WG‑06 grade level, you must meet the Screen Out Element:
Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. To meet the screen out element, you should have experience performing the following duties:

• Handling the day‑to‑day care of animals.
• Working independently, making decisions, showing job responsibility, and exercising initiative.
• Observing animals for obvious changes of appearance and activity.
• Understanding and following instructions, and exhibiting dexterity and working safely.
• Using tools and cleaning supplies and working in a safe manner.

NOTE:

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the “Required Documents” section below for additional resume requirements.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, Ameri Corps) 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…