Transportation Security Inspector - Explosive Detection Canine Handler - Transportation Security Administration - Queens, New York - EXPIRED

As a Transportation Security Inspector (TSI) with TSA, you will be responsible for ensuring security compliance of persons and transportation systems/entities regulated under the Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1500 series. You will perform selected assignments and progressively responsible inspection work such as:

• Conducting regulatory inspections/investigations and supports criminal investigations related to alleged or suspected security violations.
• Identifying, collecting, and preserving evidence used to support enforcement actions. Assisting in determining when enforcement action should be initiated, preparing enforcement investigation reports, and recommending to TSA counsel the type of action and level of penalty commensurate with the nature and severity of the violation.
• Providing testimony and participating in enforcement proceedings. Entering data pertinent to investigations, inspections, and incidents into the national database Performance and Results Information System (PARIS).
• Responding to threats, violations or potential violations and security incidents as defined by the National Incident Management Systems or as directed by the Federal Security Director (FSD) or appropriate authority.
• Providing overt and covert presence, including at high visibility activities, to detect and reduce identified security threats/vulnerabilities.
• Reviewing and analyzing assessment reports and testing results with specific attention to identifying unusual trends and actions that appear to have the potential for developing a security/safety problem.
• Assisting in formulating recommended or alternative courses of action to pursue by regulated parties in order to satisfy security requirements.
• Participating in activities designed to identify security threats through appropriately deployed technology or techniques as directed by Headquarters (HQ), FSD or Assistant Federal Security Director (AFSD).

If selected for a Transportation Security Inspector - Explosives Detection Canine Handler position, in addition to the duties assigned to all TSIs outlined above, you will also be responsible for the daily care of the canine, including necessary health maintenance care, feeding/watering, and grooming of the assigned canine and maintaining safe and sanitary conditions in the kennels and home environment. The handler is responsible for conducting proficiency training as mandated by TSA in order to pass and maintain annual certification standards. The handler/canine are responsible for screening cargo and searching wide and narrow body aircraft, terminals, luggage, facilities, vehicles and other venues for the presence of explosives, as directed. Maintain necessary training and utilization records as identified by TSA and operates a government vehicle equipped with a kennel to transport the canine to various work sites and home. Conducts random patrols and routine sweeps at various areas within the transportation environment to provide a visual deterrent for criminal or terrorist activity. Respond to threats that affect transportation operations or public safety as necessary.

Note: The duties of this position are performed under close guidance and supervision using basic technical inspection knowledge acquired in formal core training and OJT. Assignments typically include inspection work in which established policies and procedures cover virtually all of the work, with little or no room for discretion.

To qualify for the SV-G Pay Band, you must meet one of the qualification requirements (A, B, OR C) as outlined below:

A. Experience: For those qualifying using experience, your application must clearly outline three (3) years of progressively responsible general experience, one (1) year of which was equivalent to at least the SV-F or GS-4 grade level in the Federal service or equivalent in the private sector. Such experience will demonstrate the ability to: analyze problems, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

OR

B. Education: Bachelor\'s or higher-level degree in any field from an accredited college or university.

OR

C. Combination of education and experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements, and may be computed by first determining the total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the position; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the position; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for the position. If you are attempting to qualify based on education, in whole or in part, you MUST submit a copy of your transcript(s) from an accredited college or university (for each school attended) to establish qualifications based upon education. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable at the time of application. Official transcripts may be required at a later date.

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.

Note: 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.

You must meet the qualification requirements of this position no later than the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

Conditions of Employment:

TSA canine handlers are generally granted the use of a Government vehicle, typically referred to as Home-to-Work authority, for the efficient care and transportation of canines. The Department of Homeland Security prohibits authorization of Home-To Work Transportation to employees who live more than 50 miles from their duty station of record. Therefore, as a Condition of Employment, all persons hired to canine handler positions must reside within a 50-mile radius of the official duty station for the position. This Condition of Employment must be met by the time of appointment.

• Must be available to work various shifts, including frequently changing and uncommon tours of duty.
• Must be willing to undertake extensive travel, at times overnight, as required.
• Must be available for on call work and be available for duty within the U.S. and possibly worldwide to protect U.S. transportation interests.
• Must pass a Background Investigation (BI) and maintain eligibility for a clearance at the Secret level.
• Must successfully complete the Basic Security Inspections Course described below.
• Must successfully complete the NEDCTP Canine Handler Course described below.
• Must hold a valid driver\'s license.
• Must pass pre-employment drug screening AND you will be subject to post-employment random drug and alcohol testing.

Basic Security Inspections Training Course: The selectee will be required to attend an up to 5-week course in Oklahoma City, OK. The Basic Security Inspections Course provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to conduct security inspections and assessments, including using legal and regulatory documents that govern transportation security.

Additional Training/Instruction Course: The selectee will be required to attend a 10-12 week canine handler course which is held at the Canine Training and Explosives Branch, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX.

Physical Demands: Must maintain physical agility to meet work requirements of regular and recurring physical exertion such as prolonged standing, bending, and stooping. Work will require driving or traveling by motor vehicle. The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risk or discomforts that require special safety precautions.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

You will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of the experience and/or related education as reflected in your resume and supporting documentation. You are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show possession of the competencies required for this position. We will compare your resume and supporting documentation to your responses on the assessment questionnaire. If, after reviewing your resume and any supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your category placement may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

When completing the assessment questionnaire for this position, you will be prompted to elect if you wish for your application to be considered as External (where Veterans\' Preference applies), as Status (current or former Federal Employees), and/or Internal to TSA as a current permanent or competitive temporary employee. At that time, please select the answer(s) that apply to you and your application to this position.

A successful TSI candidate will be required to complete a two (2) step application and assessment process. However, some TSI candidates may be exempted from the second step in the application process (see the “How to Apply” section for exemption details). A separate prompt, within the online application questionnaire, will allow you to claim exemption eligibility according to the criterion within the “How to Apply” section of this announcement.

Candidates will be rated and ranked using Category Grouping procedures. Under Category Grouping, candidates will be rated and ranked into one of three categories:

Best Qualified - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;

Well Qualified - applicants possessing experience that exceed the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in most of the requirements of the job; and

Qualified - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors and are proficient in some, but not all of the requirements of the job.
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