Metropolitan Transportation Authority Careers

Job Title: Request for Consideration: Police Officer – Canine Handler

Dept/DIV: MTA Police Department, Canine Unit

Supervisor: Sergeant(s), Canine Unit

Location: Various Locations

Hours of Work: Twelve (12) hour twenty (20) minute tours, three (3) days per week, with four (4) consecutive rest days (Patrol Chart)

The Department is seeking applications from qualified Police Officers 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.

· 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 fitted with protective equipment.

· Participate in public K-9 demonstrations when assigned.

· Be highly visible with your assigned K9 partner at key infrastructure locations.

· Patrol MTA-managed bridges, tunnels, including adjacent highways, ramps, toll zones, and local roads within MTA jurisdiction.

· Assist Special Operations Units during commercial vehicle enforcement details.

· Additional duties as assigned.

· Must have successfully completed their probationary period, plus a minimum of two (2) years with the MTA Police Department at the close of business day of the application’s deadline.

· Must be a police officer in good standing, with a clean service record-free from issues related to excessive sick leave, disciplinary actions, or preventable accidents.

· 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 work cooperatively with multiple law enforcement agencies and participate in all required training and operations.

· 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.

· Able to take initiative and make informed decisions autonomously in the field, while maintaining communication with supervisors and following departmental procedures.

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

     o Any time prior to four years within the Unit, adoption of your canine partner will be at the discretion of the CO of SOD.

     o The K9 Unit reserves the right to reassign the department issued canine if you do not fulfill your four-year commitment.

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

     o Type of residence must be approved by K9 Supervision/Training Staff prior to assignment to the Unit.

     o The officer’s residence must be capable of housing the K-9 and have a private space for the construction of one indoor and one outdoor kennel, as the Officer will be required to keep the K-9 at their residence. Additionally, the residence may be inspected on a periodic basis by the Training Supervisor or his/her designee.

     o The required size of private outdoor space for kennel will be no larger than 10 feet x 10 feet

· Some tactical knowledge is preferred but not required.

· Successful completion of an Interview Process.

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

· Prior to the interview, employees will need to complete a "Canine Handler Candidate Questionnaire" to determine suitability for this assignment. The questionnaire is subject to further discussion by the panel during the interview process.

· Candidates who have excessive sick records or disciplinary history may be denied the opportunity to sit for an interview.

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

· Candidates who are selected will enter an MTAPD Canine Training Class and must successfully complete a rigorous basic Canine Handlers course in order to be permanently assigned to the MTAPD Canine Unit.

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.