Training Specialist or Canine Training Specialist

Summary

You will serve as either a Training Specialist at USDA's Center for Agricultural Safeguarding Training, in Frederick, MD, or a Canine Training Specialist at the National Detector Dog Training Center, in Newnan, GA, depending on the location you choose. Responsibilities will include designing, developing, delivering and evaluating training and materials for agency programs and other stakeholders. Please Note: Additional position information is shown in the "additional information" section.

Duties

• •The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• •The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• •Develops written materials in a clear, convincing and organized manner that meets established format and style standards and is appropriate for the intended audience.
• •Conducts analysis, designs, develops, delivers, and evaluates specific course content(s) or materials related to the training programs.
• •Facilitates internal and external meetings to help groups work effectively towards solving problems, making group decisions, and accomplishing goals.
• •Review and edit course materials to ensure alignment with learning objectives.
• •Partner with subject matter experts and specialists in the field to conduct task analyses, as well as to analyze the performance, skill, and knowledge levels of the learning audience.
• •Serves as a consultant and troubleshooter for specific course content(s) or materials.
• •Delivers instruction on all facets (supervisory, trainer, handler) of detector dog team training to internal and external customers. (Only required for Canine Training Specialist)
• •Performs maintenance, cleaning and sanitization of canine training and holding areas. (Only required for Canine Training Specialist)
• •Teaches detector dog program personnel to “read” and understand canine’s responses to assist them in their detection efforts. (Only required for Canine Training Specialist)

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-9 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience with analysis, design, development, delivery, or evaluation of training or educational material, courses, or curricula related to work tasks, formal education, performance improvement, or career development programs Experience with training revision processes, including training, feedback, or results analysis, client consultation, subject matter expert collaboration, updating outdated training, repurposing training, improving training, or modernizing training. Experience applying principles of canine conditioning to conduct initial detection-canine training, shaping foundational behaviors through odor imprinting, search pattern development, final response reinforcement, and progressive exposure to varied training environments. (Only required for Canine Training Specialist) Experience instructing canine handlers across all aspects of detector dog operations, including canine handling, detection training, learning theory, behavioral assessment, reward timing, leash handling, search techniques, and long-term maintenance training. (Only required for Canine Training Specialist) OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if relatedEquivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages 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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.