What are the responsibilities and job description for the Training Specialist / Training Specialist (Canine Specialist) position at USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)?
Find Your Future With Us at USDA – Animal Plant Health Inspection Service
Job Summary
The incumbent serves as a Training Specialist at the Professional Development Center (PDC), Cooperator Training Unit (CTU), and the National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC), responsible for designing, developing, delivering, and evaluating training programs and materials for agency programs and other federal, state, military, foreign, and private-sector stakeholders. Please Note: Position titles and locations are shown in the "additional information" section of this announcement.
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. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Facilitates internal and external meetings to help groups work effectively towards solving problems, making group decisions, and accomplishing goals. Assists with larger projects related to training and education programs. Design, develop, deliver, and evaluate specific course content(s) or materials related to education, training, performance improvement and/or career development programs. Applied 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) Instructed 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) Note: There is no education substitution for this 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.
Major Duties
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)
Position Start Date:
04/24/2026
Position Close Date:
04/30/2026
Salary Offered: 89508 - 133142 USD Per Year
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
The incumbent serves as a Training Specialist at the Professional Development Center (PDC), Cooperator Training Unit (CTU), and the National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC), responsible for designing, developing, delivering, and evaluating training programs and materials for agency programs and other federal, state, military, foreign, and private-sector stakeholders. Please Note: Position titles and locations are shown in the "additional information" section of this announcement.
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. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Facilitates internal and external meetings to help groups work effectively towards solving problems, making group decisions, and accomplishing goals. Assists with larger projects related to training and education programs. Design, develop, deliver, and evaluate specific course content(s) or materials related to education, training, performance improvement and/or career development programs. Applied 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) Instructed 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) Note: There is no education substitution for this 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.
Major Duties
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)
Position Start Date:
04/24/2026
Position Close Date:
04/30/2026
Salary Offered: 89508 - 133142 USD Per Year
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!