Police Officer (Special Operations Division, K-9 Technician)

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment.

Qualifications:

All applicants must meet the following eligibility factors in order to be considered for the position of K-9 Technician:

1. Must reside within 50 air miles of the United States Capitol Dome, in accordance with Directive 1074.003, Home-to-Work (HTW) Vehicle Authorization and Use. The website www.distancefromto.net has been selected to calculate the distance between the candidate's address and the Capitol Dome.

2. Must be a USCP sworn employee below the rank of Sergeant and have attained the rank of Private First Class by the closing date of this announcement.

3. Must have a residence with a yard large enough to accommodate the issued K-9 portable outdoor E/Z kennel. Candidates must submit a letter of approval from their homeowner's association to erect a kennel and will be required to submit approval with their application. If you do not have a homeowner's association, submit a statement to that effect.

4. Must not be in restricted leave status as of the selection date.

5. Must be in a full and unrestricted duty status in order to participate in Selection Process Phase III - Physical Abilities Test (PAT) unless otherwise authorized by law (e.g., performance of duty injury, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), or Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)).

6. Must be available to work flexible and/or additional hours.

7. Must possess and maintain a valid Real ID U.S. driver's license.

8. Must be able to obtain and maintain a government issued travel card.

RETENTION CRITERIA
Failure to comply with any of the following retention factors will be grounds for mandatory removal from the K-9 Program and will result in reassignment to a different position, demotion, or separation by appropriate procedures.
1. Must successfully complete the USCP K-9 Explosive Detection Training Program (Approximately 12 - 16 weeks in length) or a certified Vapor-Wake training program (Approximately 12 - 16 weeks if assigned as a Person Borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED) handler); and any other required training programs.
2. Canine Handler Certification: The selected candidate must successfully complete the canine handler training and certification program as designated by USCP. Selected candidates must successfully complete annual certification as a K-9 technician according to the set standards established by the Department.
3. Must successfully complete the Special Operations Division Field Training Officer (FTO) program.
4. Must maintain proper care of assigned canine, Home to Work vehicle (HTW) and home kennel.
5. The selected candidate must be able to home board a dog in their residence (i.e., maintain the dog in a safe and approved environment, with no problematic family allergies to dogs, etc.) and be willing to give up other pets if they are not compatible with the assigned canine.
6. Must complete a one-year probationary period from the date rank of Technician is obtained.
7. Must be willing to work any shift assigned.
8. Must be able to obtain and maintain a USCP travel credit card. This position requires travel, and selected candidate must be able to travel outside the Washington Metropolitan area as required.
9. Must maintain a valid REAL ID U.S. driver's license.
10. Complete Incident Command System (ICS) courses ICS-100 and ICS-200 (https://training.fema.gov/nims/).

Responsibilities:

This position is located in the K-9 Section, Special Operations Division, Operational Services Bureau. The K-9 Section provides a wide range of explosive detection capabilities, security sweeps, and other responsibilities assigned to support the mission of the Department.

Duties:
Handles and uses trained canines in various settings and activities involving the protection of Congress, its Members, employees, visitors, and the Capitol building facilities, including but not limited to explosive detection, anti-terrorism, security sweeps, and event security.

Performs surveillance of suspects, and violators to identify and apprehend suspects, bomb threats, and suspicious activities. Conducts explosive detection sweeps, and urban detection operations for the protection of life and property on the Capitol grounds.

Responsible for directing canines to perform explosive detection searches of building, office areas, vehicles (to include all modes of transportation), screen all cargo, loading docks and warehouses, parcel pick-up, shipping, receiving, packages, materials and persons as directed by proper authority and consistent with canine training.
Seeks, detects, and protects all evidence, victims, and witnesses and performs all law enforcement activities as assigned.

Responsible for caring for issued canine at home and at work.  May also be assigned to care for other canines kenneled at the Department kennel.

The results of this vacancy announcement selection process will be used to fill positions within the K-9 Section. More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement. The selection list for this vacancy announcement will be active for a period of 12 months from the date of the approved selection memorandum.

Salary : $90,853