Police Officer, Canine Handler

Job ID: 7301

Business Unit: MTA Headquarters

Location: Stormville, NY, United States

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: Police East D3 Jamaica

Date Posted: May 8, 2024

Description

• INTERNAL JOB POSTING- ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE MTA POLICE DEPARTMENT *

  Job T itle: Request for Consideration: Police Officer – Canine Handler

  Dept/DIV: MTA Police Depar tment , Canine Unit

  Supervisor: Sergeant(s), Canine Unit

  Location: Various Locations

  Hours of Work: Three (3) tours of twelve hours, twenty (20) minutes with four (4) consecutive rest days, four (4) tours of twelve (12) hours, twenty (20) minutes every third week (Patrol Chart).

  Summary

  The department is seeking qualified members from the rank of Police Officer who are interested in being assigned as Canine Handlers . The Canine Handler will work as a team with his/her canine partner in support of the MTAPD to deter acts of terrorism and criminal incidents. By maintaining a state of high visibility and utilizing the canine’s specialized skills, the Canine Handler/Officer will serve as an effective way to safeguard the welfare of the MTA commuting public and MTA employees.

  Responsibilities

  Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following :

  • Maintain and monitor readiness of department issued canine specialized equipment.

  • Responsible for health and welfare of the handler’s assigned canine, both on and off duty.

  • Be willing to travel throughout the MTA system in the course of their duties within the established guidelines of the collective bargaining agreement.

  • Be willing to be trained to work safely with explosives.

  • Agreeable to being bitten by a police - trained canine when outfitted with protective equipment.

  • Participate in public canine demonstrations when assigned.

  • Additional duties as assigned.

  Qualifications

  Qualified Police Officers must, at a minimum, have the following qualifications/requirements to be considered for appointment.

  • At the time of application, have successfully completed his/her probationary period, plus a minimum of two (2) years with the MTA Police Department.

  • Possess strong administrative and organizational skills or be willing to learn.

  • Possess a sincere interest in animals and animal behavior.

  • Ability to function in a stressful environment.

  • Ability to interact well with other agencies.

  • Possess a general understanding of the Unified Incident Command System.

  • Should be highly motivated and a self-starter – must be able to provide examples of proactive, self-initiated police activity.

  • Ability to work with limited supervision.

  • Commit to serve in the Canine Unit assignment for a minimum of four (4) years.

  • Permit a department-owned canine to live in the employee’s residence:

  • Type of residence shall be approved by Canine Unit Supervision/Training Staff prior to interview and/or assignment to the Unit .

  • The Officer’s residence must be capable of housing the canine and have a private space for the construction of one (1) indoor and one (1) outdoor kennel as the officer will be required to keep the canine at their residence. This space shall be approved by Canine Unit Supervision/Training Staff prior to interview and/or assignment to the unit. Additionally, the residence may be inspected on a periodic basis by the Training Supervisor or his/her designee.

  • Required size of private outdoor space for kennel will be no larger than ten (10) feet x ten (10) feet.

  • Some tactical knowledge is preferred, but not required.

  • Successful completion/approval of Canine Handler questionnaire.

  • Successful completion of an Interview Process (type of residence/kennel area shall be approved by Canine Supervision/Training Staff to be eligible for interview process).

  Other Information

  Interested employees who meet the above-listed qualifications will be invited to participate in a panel interview.

  Candidates should understand that they are not guaranteed an assignment in the Canine Unit , even if they meet each of the above qualifications.

  Equal Employment Opportunity

  MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

  The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply .