As a Supervisory Training Specialist with Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), at the National Detector Dog Training Center (NDDTC), you will supervise and manage the work of the NDDTC training program section, directing a staff of federal employees including dog Training Specialists at the GS 12 level, and dog Training Technicians at the GS-7 level.
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, 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-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Coordinating the use of canine handler teams in support of program operations. Providing sound advice and guidance to management on training and education programs and policies with significant emphasis on the areas of new employee development. Contributing to the development and administration of a budget for an education program or portfolio, including experience planning, administering and monitoring expenditures to ensure cost-effective support of programs and policies. Leading, influencing, motivating, and overseeing major strategic program/project planning, workforce analysis, and performance evaluation responsibilities. Communicating orally and in writing to a diverse audience including senior level managers, federal and industry partners, stakeholders, and/or customers to the extent of negotiating recommendations for proposals involving substantial Federal resources, requiring extensive program changes and/or conflict. Performing extensive studies, assessments, and evaluations involving key programs and/or systems using qualitative and/or quantitative methods. 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.
The duties may include, but are not limited to:
Participates with the formulation and achievement of strategic goals, operational plans, and objectives that meet needs for scientific and technical training of canine teams.
Provides leadership and technical guidance to formulate, plan, and implement detector dog training programs, methods, products and services for DHS, PPQ, and various departments of agriculture.
Works with the Director, NDDTC to develop strategic and operational training plans for meeting all of PPQ’s and DHS’ detector dog program procurement, training, and development needs.
Designs, develops, delivers, contracts, and evaluates scientific and technical education and training programs for DHS, PPQ, and various departments of agriculture.
Evaluates training courses and programs and uses the findings of evaluation to design and develop new/improved training programs.
Establishes innovative applications to problems associated with training evaluation, delivery, and design.
Develops techniques and surveys to assess performance, skill, and knowledge levels of personnel and canine teams, and reports results to top managers in PPQ and DHS.
Evaluates resource needs of the section and recommends annual budget and staffing estimates, and provides justifications for NDDTC training operations.
Plans, develops, designs, and delivers a wide range of broad-based education, training, and development programs.