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Posted: February 4, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Training Instructor (Vocational Training Instructor-Dog Trainer)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Department of Justice

Fresh

Salary

$83,265 - $108,251

per year

Closes

February 19, 2026

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves training inmates in dog handling and obedience skills as part of a federal prison program's vocational training to help them prepare for life after release.

The role requires leading classes, developing training materials, and ensuring a safe environment while working with animals.

It's a good fit for experienced dog trainers who enjoy teaching adults and have a background in education or corrections.

Key Requirements

  • Possess a current advanced-to-expert level certification in dog training from recognized agencies like IAABC-CDBC, NADOI, IACP-PDTI, CAAB, DACVB, PCBC-A, or CBCC-KA combined with CPDT-KA or equivalent
  • At least one year of teaching experience in a classroom or training setting
  • Undergraduate or graduate education in education or a related subject area, or equivalent specialized experience in instruction
  • Ph.D., three years of graduate education leading to a doctoral degree, or one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
  • Practical knowledge of dog training methods, animal behavior, and instructional techniques
  • Experience supervising or administering training programs, or developing/evaluating training materials
  • Ability to work in a correctional environment fostering humane and secure conditions

Full Job Description

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements: Basic Requirements: Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- education or a subject area related to the position to be filled.

OR Specialized Experience: Experience that demonstrated a practical knowledge of the subject area of the position and of the methods and techniques of instruction.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field(s).

Supervising or administering a training program. Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results.

Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis.

AND In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, applicants must have the following: Education: Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree OR three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study - education or a subject area related to the position to be filled.

OR Experience: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level.

To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular qualifications to perform successfully the duties of the position, and demonstrated a practical knowledge of the subject area of the position, and of the methods and techniques of instruction.

Some examples of this qualifying experience could be: Experience in teaching with full and primary responsibility for classroom instruction.

Experience in supervising or administering a training program.

Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience.

This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.

AND Selective Placement Factor: Applicants applying for this position MUST also possess the following Selective Factor.

In the event that you do not possess the Selective Factor, you will be found ineligible for the position. Applicant must: 1.

Possess and maintain a current certificate from one of the following recognized certifying agencies as an advanced-to-expert level dog trainer with expertise in animal behavior: A.

IAABC-CDBC - International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants- Certified Dog Behavior Consultant OR B. NADOI - National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors OR C.

IACP-PDTI - International Association of Canine Professionals- Professional Dog Trainer Instructor OR D. CAAB - Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist OR E.

DACVB - Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists OR F. PCBC-A - Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board) OR G.

Certification as CBCC-KA-Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) AND a.

CPDT-KA - Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) OR b.

IAABC-ADT - International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants- Accredited Dog Trainer OR c. CPT-A - Canine Personal Trainer (from the Pet Professional Accreditation Board) OR d.

IACP-CDTA - International Association of Canine Professionals Certified Dog Trainer Advanced) AND 2. Applicant must have one (1) year teaching experience AND 3.

Applicant must also have three (3) years of work experience as a lead dog trainer.

NOTE: All applicants MUST clearly address the Selective Factor in their resume and, if applicable, upload any required documentation (i.e., licensure, certification, or transcripts) at the time you apply.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.

**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.** Major Duties:

Serves as a training instructor in a vocational or occupational training program in the Education Department of a Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional facility and may also serve as a program coordinator for other vocational/occupational training programs.

Selects and/or develops curriculums which focus on the appropriate vocational training area.

This position has direct responsibility for the delivery of classroom training for vocational and apprenticeship courses in the field/trade of Dog Trainer.

Develops a curriculum design and record-keeping system to organize and track student progress through identified course work.

Ensures the training program(s) are implemented and delivered in compliance with Bureau policies, Department of Labor, and Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training regulations, and the standards established by other certifying agencies and organizations.

Serve as apprenticeship program coordinator with responsibility for coordinating the various occupational training programs and classes, as well as responsibilities which include development, review and evaluation of the vocational trades program.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution.

The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/4/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/5/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: ENG-2026-0017