Supervisory Agriculture Specialist (Canine)

Overview
Accepting applications

Open & closing dates
Opening and closing dates07/19/2021 to 07/26/2021
Service

Competitive

Pay scale & grade

GS 13

Salary
$92,143 to $119,787 per year
Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-time
Duties SummaryAs our nation navigates the COVID-19 pandemic, CBP is committed to delivering our mission to safeguard America's borders and enable legitimate trade and travel. Staffing mission critical positions remains a high priority. Be reassured that CBP is still hiring, despite potential hiring process step delays due to restrictions to in-person activities.ResponsibilitiesSalary: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and, if applicable, will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.COLA is authorized for certain locations and is calculated separately using the base salary table. Please see the following link for specific COLA Rates here.Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, in Multiple Locations.WHERE WILL POSITIONS BE FILLED UNDER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT? Positions filled under this announcement are in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations. Positions are available throughout the United States. You will be asked to identify your duty location preferences in the on-line application process. In some cases, the duty stations may not have a vacancy during the life of this announcement. In addition, there may be occasions where applicants are referred for selection based upon working within a particular commuting area. The local commuting area is defined as the area surrounding the duty station by which people reasonably travel back and forth from home to work. If you are selected for and accept this position, once you enter on duty, you will no longer be referred for other locations under this announcement.Geographic Location: You may select up to five (5) locations where you would be willing to work.
Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the U.S. This position starts at a salary of $92,143.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $119,787.00 (GS-13, Step 10) with promotion potential to $119,787 (GS-13 Step 10). Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen Homeland Security by performing law enforcement activities that enforce the laws and regulations related to the import and export of agriculture, commodities and baggage entering and/or exiting the United States.
In this first-line supervisory position you will become a key member of a team of Homeland Security professionals detecting and preventing terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the U.S. Typical work assignments include:
Managing Local Agriculture Canine Program.Responding to and resolving technical and operational questions regarding the functioning of the canine program.Planning and carrying out assignments, projects, studies, or investigations intended to explore and resolve major operations or to develop, improve, integrate, or install new procedures.Serving as a resource person and training officer for an assigned group of journeymen and trainee Agriculture Specialist Canine Handlers.Travel RequiredOccasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Supervisory status

Yes

Promotion Potential

13
Requirements Conditions of EmploymentYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this positionMales born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective ServicePrimary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)You may be required to pass a background investigation CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures QualificationsExperience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
Applying the laws and regulations of a wide range of federal, state, and local agencies, including those relating to the admissibility of agriculture commodities, people, and protection of trade, agriculture, revenue and the introduction of harmful plant pests and foreign animal diseases into the United States.Making on-the-spot decisions to mitigate or remit fines/penalties within authority delegated.Enforcing all requirements pertaining to the safe handling of dogs, and maintains strict supervision over the canine handlers and dogs while conducting training to ensure compliance with safe handling practices.Assuring work is performed so that legitimate travel and trade will experience as little delay as possible.You qualify for this position if you possess one year of specialized experience, as described above and meet the basic requirement listed below.
Basic Requirement: You must provide supporting documentation in your application to show you meet the basic requirement below.Education/Experience Requirement: You must have successfully completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study in biological sciences (including botany, entomology, and plant pathology), agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines (e.g., ecology). If you have not completed the above described education, you must have completed at least 24 semester hours in biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry or a related discipline at an accredited college or university plus appropriate experience or additional education. Examples of qualifying experience may include working in such areas as pest management, environmental monitoring, farm management, agricultural commodity importation and/or exportation, or other related experience in pest/pathogen detection, regulation, eradication, and control.Transcripts: If you have never held a position in the GS-0401 series with Customs and Border Protection, you are required to submit a copy of your transcripts with your application.Combining Experience and Education: When combining education with experience, first determine your total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine your experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.
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.
You must:
Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; andMeet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 07/26/2021.
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.Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For more information visit this link.Polygraph Examination: CBP has the authority to conduct a polygraph for the Supervisory Agriculture Specialist (Canine) position, however, at this time a polygraph is not a pre-employment requirement. If CBP decides to implement the polygraph as a pre-employment requirement while you are in the hiring process, CBP will notify you and provide additional information.
Medical Requirements: The Agriculture Specialist position has medical qualification standards. A pre-placement medical examination is required to ensure those tasked with the position's responsibilities are medically and physically capable of performing the essential tasks and job functions in an efficient and safe manner without endangering the health and safety of co-workers, the public, or oneself. Persons in this position must demonstrate they are physically and mentally capable of performing the essential functions of the position. The medical qualification standards cover any disease or condition that may potentially interfere with the safe and efficient performance of the job duties or training may constitute grounds for medical disqualification. The medical standards also include specific vision and hearing requirements as noted below.Vision:Distant Visual Acuity: Must be at least 20/30 or better in the best eye with or without correction. Individuals who have undergone refractive eye surgeries/procedures (e.g., photorefractive laser surgery, keratoplast, LASIK) may be qualified provided they have no post-operative adverse complications and they meet the vision requirements.Near Vision: Must be 20/30 or better Snellen with or without corrective lenses.Color Vision: Must be able to distinguish colors (i.e., red, green, yellow, blue, orange, purple, pink, brown, black, white, gray). Use of an X-chrome lens is not acceptable.Visual Fields: a minimum of 140 degrees in the horizontal meridian.Hearing:Hearing level in each ear must not exceed 40 decibels (dB) for the average of the following frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hertz (Hz).The difference in hearing level between the better ear thresholds and worse ear thresholds may not exceed 15dB for the average of 500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz.The difference in hearing level between the better ear and worse ear may not exceed 30dB at 4000 or 6000 Hz.The use of hearing aids to meet the standards is acceptable.Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
Education
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.Additional informationThis position is not covered under the Bargaining Unit.
Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment.Leadership Training: All newly appointed first-time CBP Supervisors are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include SLT three (3) weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed.
All first-line appointed supervisors, who have never completed a supervisory probationary period are required to successfully complete the Essential Supervisory Skills (ESS) course during their supervisory probationary period. Failure to successfully complete the ESS course within the supervisory probationary period will result in the employee being removed from the position.Rotation of Duty Assignments: May require rotation of assignments and duty locations specific to canine. Must be willing to oversee multiple locations in multiple ports.Data Systems: Must maintain access to all data systems necessary for duty execution.Position Specific Training: Must attend canine training as prescribed by Agriculture Programs and Trade Liaison. Must attend canine supervisor training at the National Detector Dog Training Center.Drivers License: Must possess a valid state driver's license.
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.
Please view the video "Protecting America 24/7" to learn more about CBP's Office of Field Operations.
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The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement. How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will only be considered for the Eligibilities for which they claim in the job questionnaire AND must provide the supporting documentation. Applicants will not be considered for Eligibilities for which they did not claim, regardless of the documentation submitted with the application.
You will be ranked on the basis of the scores received on your Promotional Assessment. You must have a current, valid score by 07/19/2021 if you have not held the GS-13 on a permanent basis, or if you have been demoted due to performance or conduct reasons. You do not need to have a current, valid test score if you have permanently held a position at the GS-13 or higher. Your application record will remain in a pending status until after the announcement closes, at which time we will upload test scores.
Physical and Environmental Conditions: The work environment includes offices, aircraft operation areas, airline passenger and cargo areas, and marine docks. Periods of outdoor work may be required in snow, rain, or extreme heat. Occasional periods of outdoor work may be required in remote areas with no modern comfort facilities. The work may involve the use of toxic chemicals, pesticides and fumigants. Protective clothing may be required such as hard hats, gloves, goggles, hearing protection, and respirators.
We will review your resume and supporting documentation to ensure you meet the minimum qualification requirements. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your experience, education, and training will be rated using an assessment questionnaire.
The competencies or knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform this job are:
Knowledge of agriculture programs within CBP e.g. Agriculture Detector Dogs, Agriculture Specialist, Technician, and Fines and Penalties for port operations in order to identify the need to revise program regulations, automated systems, and to make recommendations for improvements.Knowledge of operational canine programs that is sufficient to generate and apply new hypothesis, concepts in planning, and conducting and evaluating entities for ideas and policies.Knowledge of concepts, principles, laws, and regulations to administer enforcement programs in order to select and apply appropriate program evaluation and measurement techniques in determining the extent of compliance with rules and regulations issued by the agency, or in measuring and evaluating program accomplishments.
If you are best qualified, you may be referred to the hiring manager for consideration and may be called for an interview. Preview the job questionnaire Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles: If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible.View information about CTAP eligibilityon OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.
Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance
Not Required
Drug test required
Yes
This job is open to
Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.
Clarification from the agency
Current U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who are currently working in a permanent competitive service position .