K-9 Police Officer (Canine Handler)

Salary Level 5

Full-Time

Non-Exempt

Typical Hiring Range: $23.07/hr. to $29.11/hr.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for performing a variety of duties and tasks related to customer service and maintaining a secure and orderly environment and protection of the Airport District. This position serves as a uniformed law enforcement representative of the District, performing all duties commensurate to this responsibility. In addition, this position is one that involves the use of a trained police dog. The handler and the dog will work as a team and will be used to support patrol. The K9 Handler is responsible for the care, training, and deployment of an assigned police service canine in support of airport law enforcement and public safety operations. This assignment requires specialized skills, ongoing training, and a commitment to maintaining operational readiness in a dynamic airport environment.

Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Police Officer Assignment:

• Routinely assigned to police patrol shift.
• Performs and enforces traffic control and parking rules.
• Investigates crimes, accidents and suspicious activity on the airport property.
• Prepares incident, booking, and accident reports.
• Assists other law enforcement agencies, writes state summons, and attends court when required.
• Assists the general public, performs lockout, escort, and protective services as directed.
• Assists with the enforcement of the Airport Security Plan and Airport Emergency Plan requirements.
• Operates a police vehicle on patrol, non-emergency response, emergency response, or pursuit for the apprehension of suspects.
• Must qualify annually with duty weapon or as prescribed by an approved Academy firearms instructor program. Duty weapon proficiency is to be maintained above eighty percent (80%).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Canine Handler Special Assignment:

• Maintain full responsibility for the assigned K9, including daily care, feeding, grooming, medical attention, and overall well-being, ensuring the canine remains in optimal working condition at all times.
• Conduct regular and documented training in accordance with departmental policy and recognized certification standards to ensure the K9 team maintains proficiency in its designated disciplines (e.g., narcotics detection, explosives detection, article search, tracking).
• Deploy the K9 in support of airport operations, including but not limited to terminal sweeps, cargo and baggage screening, vehicle inspections, and response to suspicious packages or threats.
• Assist in law enforcement operations such as suspect apprehension, tracking, area searches, and evidence recovery, when applicable and authorized.
• Serve as a visible deterrent to criminal activity within the airport district, enhancing overall security and public confidence.
• Respond to requests for K9 assistance from within the airport district and, when authorized, from outside agencies through mutual aid agreements.
• Maintain all required certifications for both handler and K9, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and accreditation standards (e.g., CALEA, TSA guidelines where applicable).
• Complete detailed reports documenting K9 deployments, training activities, finds, and any use-of-force incidents involving the canine.
• Ensure proper maintenance, cleanliness, and readiness of assigned K9 vehicle, equipment, and kennel facilities.
• Adhere to all airport district policies and regulations, including TSA security requirements, sterile area access protocols, and coordination with airport operations and tenants.
• Provide demonstrations and participate in community outreach events, public education, and stakeholder engagement as directed.
• Maintain close coordination with airport stakeholders, including airlines, TSA personnel, tenants, and operations staff, to support a safe and secure environment.
• Remain on-call or available for emergency response involving the K9, as required by departmental policy.

Additional Responsibilities:

• House the K9 at the handler’s residence when required, maintaining appropriate kennel conditions and security.
• Monitor the health, behavior, and performance of the K9 and promptly report any concerns to supervisory personnel.
• Participate in ongoing professional development related to K9 handling, detection techniques, and airport security operations.
• Ensure compliance with all departmental policies regarding K9 use, documentation, and liability.

Education

• High School Diploma or GED, required; Associate’s Degree or above, preferred.

Experience

• Currently certified Class 1 Officer with at least two (2) years of recent law enforcement experience required.
• Previous K-9 handling experience, preferred.
• Extensive knowledge in narcotics detection/investigation, explosives, article/evidence searches

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Possess a general knowledge of Airport Rules and Regulations, preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A demonstrated proficiency in law enforcement job knowledge and practice.
• Have the ability to discharge a firearm without undue risk to airport employees, tenants, and the public, and comply with department firearm standards.
• Demonstrate proficient operation of a police vehicle.
• Have the ability to operate an emergency vehicle and vehicle radio equipment at the same time.
• Maintain good customer service skills when dealing with tenants and the general public.
• Proficiency in the use of a personal computer is necessary, including, but not limited to, skills in Microsoft Office products.
• This position requires skills in prioritization, organization, verbal communications and interpersonal relations, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Successfully complete the department’s field training program.

Supervisory Responsibility

• K9 handler scene investigation.

Licenses Required

• Valid Driver’s License required.

Certifications Required

• Must be certified by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Council or meet the minimum requirements for entry into the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.
• Successfully complete the requirements of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy pre-hire testing which may include psychological profile, Police Officers selection test, Polygraph Exam, physical, drug and alcohol screening, and the field training program.

Latitude/Independent Judgment/Accuracy

• Diligence must be exercised when handling confidential information.
• Responsible for own work but must coordinate work with others.
• This position requires the ability to maintain control and good public relations under all conditions.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Environment: Reactive emergency, natural or man-made disaster, and routine peace keeping environments with travel throughout the District. The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions; occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation, and vibration; potentially hostile environments; extensive public contact. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be very loud due to sirens, firearm training, aircraft, etc. Incumbents required to work various shifts, including evenings and weekends, rotating shifts, holidays, etc., and may be required to travel outside District boundaries to attend meetings, training, etc. Will be subject to recall after normal duty hours. May be subject to disruptive/hostile persons from the general public, to include passengers, tenants, etc.
• Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a law enforcement setting and an office setting; restrain or subdue individuals; walk, stand, sit, or run for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; occasionally climb and balance; regularly push, pull, lift, and/or carry light to moderate weights; frequently lift and/or move moderate to heavy weights; occasionally lift and/or move heavy weights; operate office equipment including use of computer keyboard; requires a sense of touch, finger dexterity, and gripping with hands and fingers; ability to speak and hear to exchange information; ability to operate a vehicle to travel to various locations ability to operate and use specialized law enforcement tools and equipment including guns and handcuffs.
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
• Other: To perform police tasks without undue effort or injury, the officer must comply with the minimal physical fitness performance requirements as established by the District and the District’s approved medical provider.

Other Requirements

• Must be able to complete and pass a background investigation, drug screening, and physical examination as per Federal, State and GSP Airport District requirements.