Kennel Attendant

West Midlands Police; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

West Midlands Police is seeking a Kennel Attendant responsible for the care and management of Police Dogs. The role involves maintaining high hygiene standards, providing exercise, and supporting the Puppy Development Programme. Candidates should have experience with working dogs and a full UK driving licence, and be prepared for shift work including weekends and public holidays.

Benefits

Competitive pay

Pension

Enhanced leave

Discounts

Wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Experience in whelping and delivering puppies.
• Experience in mating dogs.
• First Aid at Work training available after employment.

Responsibilities

• Cleaning kennels and ensuring hygiene.
• Providing exercise and food for police dogs.
• Supporting puppy whelping and maintaining records.

Skills

Cleanliness and hygiene

Experience handling working dogs

Confidence around working dogs

Education

Full UK Driving Licence

Animal Behaviour Qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public, and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

Purpose Of The Role

As a Kennel Attendant, the post holder is responsible for the day-to-day care and management of Police Dogs in kennels, focusing on the environment in which our dogs reside. Responsibilities include maintaining high levels of cleanliness and hygiene of kennelling and whelping facilities, providing exercise to police dogs, and supporting the Puppy Development Programme through mating and whelping assistance.

The role involves supporting puppy whelping, which includes an overnight on-call rota. Kennel Attendants must ensure dogs receive veterinary treatment and grooming. The role is physically demanding, working a 3 on, 2 off shift pattern, including early and late shifts ending at 2130.

Our kennelling strategy emphasizes cleanliness and biosecurity to ensure optimal living conditions for the dogs, requiring regular physical cleaning tasks. Handling operational police dogs, including detection and general-purpose breeds, is a key part of the role, necessitating confidence and risk management skills.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Cleaning kennels regularly throughout the day
2. Ensuring high standards of biosecurity, cleanliness, and hygiene
3. Providing exercise to police dogs
4. Preparing daily food for police dogs
5. Grooming and veterinary visits for police dogs
6. Administering daily medical treatments
7. Supporting puppy whelping and mating activities
8. Maintaining accurate boarding records
9. Working shifts including public holidays, weekends, and unsociable hours
10. Being 'on call' for puppy whelping

Knowledge & Experience

Essential:

• High standards of cleanliness and hygiene
• Experience handling/working with working dogs
• Experience in whelping and delivering puppies
• Experience in mating dogs
• Full UK Driving Licence
• First Aid at Work (training available after employment)

Desirable:

• Basic IT skills (Microsoft Office)
• Experience working with volunteers
• Animal Behaviour Qualification
• Confidence around working dogs
• High integrity and professionalism
• Motivated and proactive attitude
• Flexibility and analytical problem-solving skills

Hours and Location

Shift-based hours (3 on, 2 off) at the Dog Training Centre, Balsall Common.

Vetting and Medical

Successful candidates must pass vetting, background checks, and medical assessments, including drug and fitness tests if required.

Interview and Benefits

Details TBC. Benefits include competitive pay, pension, enhanced leave, discounts, and wellbeing support.

Additional Notes

Applicants must adhere to high standards of behaviour and accountability. The organisation is a Disability Confident Leader and promotes diversity and inclusion, offering interviews to candidates who declare a disability and meet essential criteria.