Remote Animal Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, El Paso Field Office, Canine Operations and the Area Port of Ysleta located in El Paso, Texas.
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Duties
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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 Department's 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 CBP's mission, core values and careers at https://www.cbp.gov/about
Requirements
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Conditions 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

Qualifications
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 agency's 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.
Additional information
Physical Effort: This position requires considerable walking, standing, heavy lifting up to 100 pounds, stooping, and other types of physical effort and dexterity in moving and distributing canines, animal food, equipment, and in opening and closing kennel doors and gates. Walks or stands for extended periods.
Working Conditions: Work is performed inside and outside. The Animal Caretaker is often exposed to unpleasant odors and noises. The Animal Caretaker usually works on concrete floors and may be exposed to bites and scratches. The animals may be unpredictable, sick, injured, or ill-tempered, which may expose the Animal Caretaker to possible injury, illness, and animal wastes. Daily exposure to disinfectants and like chemicals may also cause skin and other irritations.
Please view the video "Protecting America 24/7" to learn more about CBP's Office of Field Operations.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.