Canine Training Specialist, Virginia

Overview:
Advance your career in security with Allied Universal® Enhanced Protection Services, the global leader in security and threat mitigation. Following the acquisition of MSA Security® in 2021, we became the world’s largest non-governmental canine detection company. Specializing in canine explosives and firearm detection, we offer exciting career opportunities for those passionate about canine security. Join our innovative team committed to excellence in the security industry and make a meaningful impact. Explore key roles such as canine officers, handlers, trainers, veterinary technicians, and kennel managers. Enjoy comprehensive benefits for most full-time positions, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, retirement plans, employee assistance programs, and exclusive perks.

Job Description:
Our canine group, under Allied Universal® Enhanced Protection Services, is hiring a Canine Training Specialist. The Canine Training Specialist (CTS) position will focus on operational goals, daily training of Explosive Detection (EDC) Canines and Explosive Detection Canine Teams (EDC plus EDC Handler), and management of on-site and off-site training activities. The purpose of the Canine Validation and Training Specialist is to produce highly capable EDC Teams for deployment to U.S. Diplomatic facilities. Canine Training Specialists apply their accrued knowledge, skills, and experience to understand individual canine behaviors and train them to meet the highest U.S. Government standards.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for canine training through all phases from procurement, imprint, operational and sustainment training

Apply advanced knowledge and experience with Explosive Detection Canines to evaluate untrained (i.e., ‘green’) canines for procurement through in-person evaluation of the canines physical and behavioral traits; leads green canines through exercises to exhibit specific traits; screens out canines lacking desirable traits and/or possessing undesirable traits; as needed, travels both CONUS and OCONUS to procure canines

Responsible for leading canines through training scenarios to identify and note behaviors, drives and performance of each canine; prepares detailed notes for use by other trainers for subsequent training, and for inclusion in the canine’s historical training record; recommends training and handling instructions based on canine behaviors and performance; recommends training advancement, delay or removal from the program as warranted; advises, consults with and supports other CTSs depending on the training needs of individual canines

Records individual canine training sessions, including odors, scenario type, odor placement, canine performance etc. are recorded in the Program training database to ensure canines are capable of detecting all explosive material odors in all given scenarios and environments

Assess performance of EDC Teams – identify issues, diagnose if it is handler issues, canine olfactory issues, how the pair works together, motivational issues, etc., and provide feedback, suggestions for improvement, techniques to use, etc.

Track performance of EDC Teams, determine if suggestions/coaching is being implemented; offer new and different approaches to improve the quality and pass rate of canines/handlers

Pass or fail EDC Teams on days of Validation Tests based on evaluations of performance; create and/or modify training programs to improve Team performance

Responsible for applying only U.S. Government GCSC-approved, non-coercive training methods, and required to immediately notify GCSC leadership of any observed violation of same

Lead canines through U.S. Government evaluation for final acceptance into the GCSC Program

Conduct training evaluations on all canines returning from deployment to assess and record canine performance; as needed report training issues, recommend training needed to return the canine to GCSC standards, or other steps that may be needed such as medical evaluation or potential removal from the Program

Apply experience and judgement to observe and immediately report any changes in canine behavior or physical characteristics that may warrant medical evaluation

Maintain canine first aid skills and be prepared to perform canine first aid at any time

Maintain situational awareness at all times to safeguard the health and safety of all canines; immediately report hazards while following and enforcing GCSC canine safe handling procedures

Serve as primary instructor for student EDC Handlers; applies knowledge, judgment, and experience with unpaired individual canines to assign canines to EDC Handler students; Prepares student EDC Teams for U.S. Government validation and deployment to a high-risk post

Prepare class presentations for U.S. Government approval and presents classes to student EDC Handlers

Sets up training scenarios for student EDC Teams, evaluates canine and student EDC Handler performance to make recommendations for training advancement as needed; coaches, demonstrates and recommends methods for improving techniques, observed canine behaviors, etc. to student EDC Handlers Assess performance of EDC Teams – identify issues, diagnose if it is handler issues, canine olfactory issues, how the pair works together, motivational issues, etc., and provide feedback, suggestions for improvement, techniques to use, etc.

Track performance of EDC Teams, determine if suggestions/coaching is being implemented; offer new and different approaches if those are not working

Maintain awareness of current enemy tactics, techniques, and procedures for employing explosive devices

Responsible for the accountability and handling of explosives registered with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) as a registered Handler; follows meticulous instructions to prevent cross contamination of explosive odors, and the safe and secure use and storage of explosives

Monitor and report equipment and supply consumption, submits purchase requests, performs operator-level maintenance and reports maintenance needs

Perform daily odor recognition/operational evaluations on EDC Teams as directed by the Director of Canine Validation

Prepare the training areas and assist with logistical requirements to accomplish the daily evaluation regiment

Provide guidance and training to assist EDC Teams in increasing their performance and capabilities

Ensure student EDC Handlers adhere to GCSC policies and procedures including the prohibition of any form of coercive methods

Maintains records, forms, and reports on all canines trained

Full-time CTS may be assigned a Government Furnished Property (GFP) in the form of a canine for validation and testing purposes

Responsible for maintaining the health and welfare for the GFP until the canine is retire, adopted, or removed from the CTS’s care

Required to personally recertify semi-annually with assigned GFP; therefore, must maintain one’s own capabilities and that of the canine assigned to them

When directed, travel to foreign nations to evaluate training and training facilities of foreign nation EDC Programs, conducts validation of foreign EDC Teams; prepares and submits after action reports including recommendations the U.S. Government should take for program sustainment or improvement for submission to the U.S. Government

QUALIFICATIONS:

High School diploma or equivalent

Must be a U.S. Citizen and possess a valid U.S. Passport

Possess, or be able to obtain, a minimum Moderate Risk Public Trust (MRPT) level clearance

Within the last ten (10) years:

Minimum of three (3) years of military or law enforcement experience, training, imprinting, and testing/evaluating explosive detection canines using DOJ NORT and other operational methods

Minimum experience of three (3) years of experience training and validating EDCs of various breeds, using multiple reward systems

Minimum of three (3) years of work experience demonstrating the ability to recognize canine diseases, familiarity with canine hygiene requirements, and monitoring the physical condition of their assignments

Minimum experience of three (3) years of experience maintaining canine training and operational records and similarly related documentation

Minimum experience of three (3) years of experience conducting inspections of all equipment to ensure it is functional and report deficiencies as needed

Minimum of three (3) years of experience conducting searches of bags, personnel, equipment, buildings, assigned facilities, vehicles, aircraft, and other items as directed, utilizing canine assets

Knowledge and/or experience providing proper care for an Explosive Detection Canine (EDC)

Knowledge of key components of explosives, proper care and handling, and application as it pertains to the environment and validation

Ability to take on responsibility of caring for a Canine on a full-time basis

Ability to evaluate, repair, and advise on EDC training and validation, housing/kenneling, overall well-being, and operational inefficiencies

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Service in Military Occupational Specialty related to law enforcement, security (such as Military Police, Elite Military Forces, combat arms) or any support role in a Combat Zone

Completion of a full military handler course

Bachelor’s degree in law enforcement …