Oct 29, 2016

K9 Subject Matter Specialist III - Mentor

Employer  :Olgoonik Federal, LLC
Location: Overseas
Requisition Number: 2011881

Overview:

The K9 Subject Matter Specialist III Mentor serves as an operational training and administrative advisor for the Office of Antiterrorism Assistance (DS/T/ATA), Jordan Regional Program, Amman, Jordan. The Mentor is responsible for developing the subject matter expertise, skills and knowledge of the partner nation law enforcement forces, developing and maintaining sustainment training schedules, mentoring, participate in ATA training deliveries, and develop sustainable organizational capabilities to manage units, and support the performance of functional duties. Incumbent will plan, organize and coordinate work with a high degree of independence and duties are performed with the widest latitude in accordance with DS, and Federal guidelines. Incumbent is considered the expert in all aspects relating to the Explosive Detection Canine (EDC) training programs and recommendations are generally accepted without significant change. Work is evaluated in terms of overall approach, contractual compliance, and results achieved. Cross-cultural sensitivity is crucial. The EDC programs are of major importance. Incumbent is responsible for developing, implementing, and enhancing a training methodology designed to constitute the industry standard in this field, both nationally and internationally. Also, Incumbent will be responsible for developing strategies, protocols and resources that will improve upon the overall capabilities and effectiveness of EDC handlers and canines. The success of the EDC training program significantly impacts the overall security mission. The position will report directly to the assigned Jordan ATA Program Management.


Primary Responsibilities:

Assigned to the Jordan ATA regional program; provides operational and administrative mentoring to the Public Security Directorate’s Canine Unit.
Develops a mentoring development program that will enhance the canine unit’s readiness and internal training sustainment to ensure the detection capacity remains within acceptable levels set forth by the Diplomatic Security Canine Validation Center.
Oversees the implementation of the canine program's operational plans, policies, and procedures, ensuring that they meet the programs objectives.
Ensures that appropriate veterinarian services are available and the Veterinarians are maintaining proper health, hygiene, and safety standards in their respective clinics.
Ensure the proper medical treatments are provided properly, effectively, and efficiently, with the overall health and welfare of the canine in mind.
Conducts in-country site visits to approve locations, in support of National Odor Recognition Testing (NORT), re-validation, and advanced canine courses.
Possesses a working knowledge of monitoring and evaluation processes and standards of performance measurements in maintaining appropriate milestone in accordance with the stated Performance Measurement Plan.
Responsible for the professional development, organizational capabilities and functional duties of the PSD’s canine unit
Maintains and records accurate training records relating to the training of EDC’s that may be subject to discovery during criminal, civil, and Congressional hearings or other legal proceedings.
Work closely with the PSD canine unit command staff to develop SOPs, and implement best practices along with unit management, administration and operational support capabilities.
Briefs the ATA Resident Program Manager (RPM) regarding the mentoring activity on a weekly, or more frequent basis.
Develop weekly storyboards to showcase mentorship activity and/or investigative results involving the PSD unit.
Maintains and manages grant equipment inventories of the PSD units and assists the RPM with yearly reporting and acquisition requirements.
Responsible for developing and leading the delivery of specialized refresher and sustainment training to the PSD canine handlers and instructors. The training courses must first be approved by ATA HQ.
At the direction of DS/T/ATA, responds to taskings, gathers information, and prepares appropriate reports.
Participates in writing/formulation documents/evaluations and recommendations.
Completes a weekly checklist to ensure program management concerns are documented and milestones are being met.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:

There are no supervisory responsibilities for this position.

Education and/or Experience:

Extensive knowledge in the EDC imprinting process, utilizing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) odor recognition, United States Department of Justice National Odor Recognition Test (DOJ NORT), or any other worldwide protective services approved method and practical experience with EDCs of numerous breeds, utilizing varied reward systems.
In-depth knowledge of canine psychology and behavioral patterns in order to accomplish initial training and constantly devise remedial actions to overcome a wide range of influencing factors.
Extensive knowledge of Pavlovian theories of individual, acquired, and learned conditioned reflexes in order to recognize and correct behavioral and characteristic flaws in detector dogs throughout the course. Ability to build on the canine's investigative drives and behavioral patterns to ensure that desirable results are obtained. Expert knowledge of canine olfactory capabilities and training methodologies to shape the canine's ability to detect odors.
Ability to develop unique methods and non traditional techniques to accomplish training objectives in order to improve the effectiveness of the EDC team in obscure environments.
Ability to present instruction and evaluate complete learning modules covering all aspects of training and employing a canine to detect the odors of explosives/weapons in various environments. Ability to evaluate/mentor, counsel handlers for the purpose of recommending actions for retention or withdrawal.
Expertise in the use of EDC’s in a law enforcement/static and mobile security environment in order to provide instruction, technical advice and advisory information.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing in order to present reports, lead work groups and effectively represent the U.S. State Department, representatives of foreign governments, and contractors to resolve issues pertaining to the handling of EDC’s by handlers and trainers.
Experience training and testing/evaluating EDCs using cans and a variety of operational methods and employ various classroom instructional methods along with the ability to utilize audio/visual equipment for training.
Working knowledge of the key components of explosives, proper care and handling, and application as it pertains to the environment.
Knowledge in evaluating, repairing, and advising on EDC training, housing/kenneling, animal well-being, and operational inefficiencies.
Experience working with EDCs in conflict/combat or other high threat environments.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The position involves a wide variety of responsibilities associated with providing oversight of the EDC training program. The work is unique as the curriculum and methodology are not used in comparable training programs in other agencies. Incumbent must understand cultural differences, customs and courtesies amongst different countries in order to project a positive image towards foreign governments and cultures.

Be committed to the ATA Jordan program.
Be able and willing to follow direction from ATA management.
Ability to interact effectively with individuals at all levels to obtain the cooperation and support necessary to achieve security program objectives.
Team building and mission oriented.
Perform duties and proactively address deficiencies.
Identify problems, and propose solutions.
Display a “can-do” attitude, be a problem solver.
The willingness to work long hours if necessary.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, to provide advice and guidance, interpret policies and directives, justify plans and proposals, prepare and present high level briefings, and represent ATA Jordan in a wide variety of internal and external forums.
Proficiency of MS Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint. etc.),.
Proficiency in utilizing job related equipment.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

None Required

Security Clearance:

SECRET Level Required

Must have a current US Government SECRET Personnel Security Clearance or be able to successfully complete a U.S. government administered Investigation.
Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must also be able to maintain a US Government SECRET clearance.
Physical Demands:

The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. The mentor must be able to feel objects, tools or controls; operate office equipment, reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; speak and hear. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. The employee will occasionally lift and or move up to 50 pounds. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to him/her, or others is disqualifying.

Work Environment:

The Mentor will work primarily in Amman, Jordan. Normal work settings include outside canine training sites, subject to dangerous situations and unusual environmental stress, required to work long irregular hours, including rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays and must be able to withstand unpleasant odors, loud noises, scratches, and canine bites. While conducting training, incumbent could be in possession of explosives, as a result, the incumbent could subjected to circumstances that may result in bodily injury or gunfire.

Travel:

Frequent in-country travel including unscheduled, night, weekend, and holiday work may be required. When deployed overseas, the security situation at the deployment locations may be extremely volatile and the incumbent may be required to use personal protective equipment and exercise special safety precautions.


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