The primary purpose of this Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives Detection Canine Handler position at a designated airport is to conduct Passenger Screening Canine (PSC) and other Explosives Detection Canine (EDC) threat assessment mitigation activities to ensure the safety of the traveling public and mitigate potential threats.
As a Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives Detection Canine Handler (TSS-EDCH) at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you will be responsible for conducting Passenger Screening Canine (PSC) and other Explosives Detection Canine (EDC) threat assessment/mitigation activities to ensure the safety of the traveling public and mitigate potential threats, in coordination with Airport Screening Operations.
You will also apply knowledge gained through formal canine handler training to develop skills necessary to evaluate and reward canine behavior, guide canines during threat mitigation activities, and ensure effective utilization of canines. Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Utilizing canines to assess passengers in screening queues for potential explosives threats.
Interacting with traveling public to respond to inquiries, establish a calm environment, and maximize the canine's ability to search. Coordinating and collaborating with other EDC program members, in scheduling work and training activities. Traveling to explosives storage magazine to obtain identified explosives to be used for canine training and ensuring variation of aids used to ensure canine proficiency.
Loading explosives in designated containers and transporting to airports or other training locations. Utilizing risk-based security techniques and intelligence information to determine areas in which to use canines to conduct random sweeps, support ATLAS exercises, and to act as a visible deterrent to potential terrorist threats or criminal activity and to align training to mitigate known threats.
Evaluating potential threats based on canine response (passenger or object) to determine action to be taken (e.g., have canine respond or call appropriate authorities).
Performing a variety of administrative functions to include: logging work activities/time; updating training and utilization in canine-specific tracking systems to ensure documentation of canine behavior, potential training needs, and actions taken to correct canine behavior(s); entering vehicles usage/maintenance data; and entering/validating time and attendance, etc. Utilizing a variety of technology (e.g., iPhone, iPad, laptop, radio) to perform core work functions.
If selected for the Transportation Security Specialist - Explosives Detection Canine Handler position, in addition to the duties outlined above, you will also be responsible for performing daily care of the canine including health maintenance, feeding/watering, exercising, and grooming, as well as maintaining safe and sanitary conditions of TSA-issued equipment (e.g., kennel, vehicle, office space, and home environment).Note: The duties of this position are observed and reviewed frequently for technical accuracy, application of canine handling methods and techniques, and results.
For positions requiring positive education requirements, or if you are using education to meet all or part of the qualification requirements, you MUST submit a copy of your transcripts or an itemized list of college courses from an accredited college or university, which includes equivalent information from the transcript (course title, semester/quarter hours, and grade/degree earned) in your resume.
The information must be provided with the application by the closing date of the announcement. If selected, the applicant must supply a transcript or certification of degree.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including: health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; situational telework may be permitted in accordance with departmental policy telework; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities.
For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any Federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Employees who transfer to TSA from an agency that allows employees to maintain an annual leave balance higher than the maximum accumulation for the appointed position will have their leave ceiling set to the maximum accumulation for the appointed position (e.g., United States duty location - 240 hours, foreign duty location - 360 hours, or TSES position - 720 hours). TSA will not make a monetary payment for any leave forfeited under these circumstances.
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This position is with Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security.
The posted pay range is $93358 – $121371/yr.
This position requires a Secret security clearance.
Applications close on 2026-10-07.
There are 2 openings for this position.
This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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