ANIMAL CARETAKER

Description:

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.

The primary purpose of this position is to perform as a kennel attendant in the Kennel Operations Flight and to care for and handle Military Working Dogs (MWD) at 341st Training Squadron (341 TRS), Logistics Flight, in the most effective and humane manner in accordance with existing organizational and regulatory procedures.

Requirements:

In order to qualify, you must meet the quality level of experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook X-118C.

QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants will be rated in accordance with the OPM Qualification Standard Handbook X-118C for the WG-5000 - Plant and Animal Work Group. Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most blue-collar positions, you must meet any screen-out element listed and show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.

The screen out element for this position is the ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision.

JOB ELEMENTS: Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Knowledge of effective, feeding, grooming, and exercising large animals (working dogs preferred).
2. Knowledge of effective facility sanitation to prevent injury and illness in program animals.
3. Ability to provide care for large animals according to specific schedules and routine methods.
4. Ability to clean and maintain facilities housing large animals to maintain their health and welfare.
5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing, and to work harmoniously with personnel and supervisors.
6. Ability to catch, handle, hold, and transfer large animals without injuring the animal or endangering self or others. Ability to apply knowledge of the normal appearance and activities of large animals to recognize obvious changes such as excessive loss of fur, fighting, refusal to feed, malaise, etc. Ability to perform a variety of tasks to provide physical, social, cognitive, and sensory enrichment to large animals

Physical Effort: The incumbent will be required to lift up to 75 pounds including materials such as animal feed bags and handle feeding trays that may vary in weight depending on the amount of food required by the animal's diet. Additionally, the incumbent may be required to restrain MWDs in order to assist with animal medication or resolve behavioral problems.

Working Conditions: The work performed by this position is both inside and outside of climate-controlled facilities and may require long periods of walking or running when exercising MWDs. The incumbent will be exposed to risk from animal bites and ill-tempered dogs as well as sanitary risks during kennel sanitization duties and ill animals.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.