What are the responsibilities and job description for the ANIMAL CARETAKER position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
You will serve as an Animal Caretaker (ACT). Based at the NDDTC, the Field Canine Handler travels with canines to field locations, assisting Plant Protection and Quarantine Officers with inspections and patrols.
Qualifications
To qualify, you must show you have had training and experience of sufficient scope and quality to provide you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Your answers to the vacancy specific questions must be supported by the work experience in your resume. For example, if you respond in the affirmative when questioned whether you have experience caring for horses, your resume must include this experience, mindful that experience may not be inferred by job title. 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.
Major Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:Applies prescribed canine training theory and practices to establish or modify canine behaviors.Assists with inspections of commodities and conveyances in traditional and non-traditional settings and environments using canine partner. Refers findings to PPQ officials.Participates in patrol duties in assigned area alongside canine partner/units.Ensure canines are kenneled, maintained, and cared for according to standards outlined in the Animal Welfare Act.Assists the supervisor with monitoring and allocation of canine diets considering such factors as age, species, current diet, special needs, sex, breeding, and training status.Restrains dogs during processing of blood samples, identification verification, temporary marking, temperatures procurement, while preparing for travel and general veterinary examination.
Position Start Date:
11/04/2026
Position Close Date:
11/10/2026
Salary Offered: 25.73 - 30.02 USD Per Hour
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!
Job Summary
You will serve as an Animal Caretaker (ACT). Based at the NDDTC, the Field Canine Handler travels with canines to field locations, assisting Plant Protection and Quarantine Officers with inspections and patrols.
Qualifications
To qualify, you must show you have had training and experience of sufficient scope and quality to provide you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position. Your answers to the vacancy specific questions must be supported by the work experience in your resume. For example, if you respond in the affirmative when questioned whether you have experience caring for horses, your resume must include this experience, mindful that experience may not be inferred by job title. 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.
Major Duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to:Applies prescribed canine training theory and practices to establish or modify canine behaviors.Assists with inspections of commodities and conveyances in traditional and non-traditional settings and environments using canine partner. Refers findings to PPQ officials.Participates in patrol duties in assigned area alongside canine partner/units.Ensure canines are kenneled, maintained, and cared for according to standards outlined in the Animal Welfare Act.Assists the supervisor with monitoring and allocation of canine diets considering such factors as age, species, current diet, special needs, sex, breeding, and training status.Restrains dogs during processing of blood samples, identification verification, temporary marking, temperatures procurement, while preparing for travel and general veterinary examination.
Position Start Date:
11/04/2026
Position Close Date:
11/10/2026
Salary Offered: 25.73 - 30.02 USD Per Hour
You can make a difference! The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States. We operate in domestic and global markets. Be part of an organization that protects the health and agriculture of the American people. Join our team! To learn more about what it's like to work at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, what the agency does, and the types of careers, please visit the APHIS careers site. APHIS is an emergency response agency. This means that all Agency employees may be asked or assigned to participate in rotating temporary duty assignments to support emergency programs at some time during their careers with APHIS. For details click: APHIS Emergency Response
Please see the full announcement on USAJobs by clicking on the APPLY button!