Animal Caretaker

Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your specialized skills that result in the proper care and feeding of Customs and Border Protection owned dogs.

Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen the Departments ability to perform homeland security functions by performing duties requiring application of specialized knowledge of procedures techniques regulations and information.

This position starts at an hourly rate of $21.69 (WG Step 1) to $25.28 (WG Step 5).

In this position you will become a key member of a team of Homeland Security professionals concerned with the day-to-day care of Customs and Border Protection owned dogs. Typical work assignments include:

• Cleaning dog kennels which includes hosing sweeping scrubbing and removing dog stools unconsumed food and other refuse.
• Maintaining canine status charts.
• Feeding and watering all canines in feed pans including measurement and preparation of food items and diets.
• Handling both trained and untrained canines with varying temperaments.
• Observing the appearance and activity of canines for signs of illness injuries disease and discontent.
• Administering prescribed medications to canines on a timely basis as recommended by the veterinarian.

CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBPs mission core values and careers at of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
• You may be required to pass a background investigation
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
• As an employee of CBP you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees and to CBP employees specifically as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
• DHS uses E-Verify an Internet-based system to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
• Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the Required Documents section below for additional resume requirements.

Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations you must 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 quality of experience not necessarily the length of time.

To minimally qualify for the WG-6 grade level you must meet the Screen Out Element: Ability To Do The Work Of The Position Without More Than Normal Supervision. To meet the screen out element you should have experience performing the following duties:

• Maintaining kennels such as repairing damaged and unsafe houses fencing gates and hoses and replacing water buckets.
• Maintaining canine status charts for accountability documenting canine movement with regards to kennel placement and control food stool weight and medications.
• Observing the appearance and activity of canines for signs of illness injuries disease and discontent and watching for signs of injury or changes in physical condition.
• Measuring and preparing food items to meet veterinarian prescribed diets and performing food and medication distribution in canine kennels at designated times and documents appropriately.
• Transporting canines to veterinarian assisting during veterinarian exams to include holding muzzling or using proper restraining techniques as instructed and performing grooming and exercising of canines.

In addition to the experience described above you will also be evaluated on the basis of your overall level of competency (knowledge skills and abilities) in the following areas:

• Ability To Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment.
• Ability to Inspect.
• Ability to Interpret Instructions specifications other than blueprints.
• Ability To Provide Production Support Service.
• Use of Measuring Instruments.

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 knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

You must meet all qualification requirements including education if applicable to this position subject to verification at any stage of the application process by 08/07/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years a political Schedule A Schedule C Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agencys core values of vigilance service to country and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges the use of illegal drugs (e.g. marijuana cocaine heroin LSD methamphetamines ecstasy) and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation possession sale receipt manufacture cultivation production transfer shipping trafficking or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process review the following link: Applicant Resources CBP Careers

Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor intern consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Education

Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position.