Police K9 Handler (380B)

Cobb County School District; Marietta (GA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobb County School District is seeking an experienced Police K9 Handler to safeguard campuses, coordinate canine deployments, and support safety initiatives. The role requires POST certification, strong communication skills, and prior law enforcement experience.

The position involves training and caring for the assigned canine, responding to emergencies, and working closely with CCSD Police Department personnel to maintain secure school environments.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Georgia POST certification in good standing; background checks required.
• 21+ years old with prior law enforcement experience.
• Must pass rigorous entrance exams and MI/physical fitness requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide campus safety and protect people and property on CCSD campuses.
• Coordinate canine patrols and respond to emergencies and alarms as directed.
• Maintain canine welfare, training, and readiness for operations.
• Prepare incident and deployment reports to supervisory staff.
• Collaborate with district police and school administrators on safety planning.
• Assist with crowd control, events, and high-traffic activities as needed.
• Testify in investigations and stay compliant with policy and regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Written and oral communication

Canine handling

Observation and reporting

Work under pressure

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

POSITION TITLE

Police K9 Handler

JOB CODE

380B

DIVISION

Operational Support

SALARY SCHEDULE

NCPB

DEPARTMENT

CCSD Police Department

WORK DAYS

214

REPORTS TO

Sergeant

PAY GRADE

* Kennel pay included in salary

FLSA

Non-Exempt

PAY FREQUENCY

Monthly

PRIMARY FUNCTION

Provides individual and property protection; controls campus of the school for safety and security purposes; monitors and controls school sites and parking; coordinates safety and security for all school activities and other activities.

Requirements

• Educational Level: High School Diploma or High School Equivalent required
• Certification/License Required: Georgia POST certified and in good standing with POST requirements; successfully meets all requirements of an extensive background investigation and assessment, including driver's history and criminal history information; meets all training requirements and standards as established by the chief of police
• Experience Must be 21 years of age with prior Law Enforcement experience.
• Physical Activities: Capable of actions required in rigorous training required by the police academy and other required law enforcement training
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Written and oral communication; meets and maintains all standards of the CCSD Police Department to carry a service weapon. Must successfully pass the following entrance exams, polygraph, psychological, physical fitness agility, drug screening, and medical; remain available for calls and assignments during emergencies, graduations, patrol operations, summer school activities, special events and all critical workdays
• Capable of providing cohabitation or reasonable living accommodations for assigned canine.
• The Board of Education and the Superintendent may accept alternatives to some of the above requirements.

Essential Duties

• Demonstrates prompt and regular attendance.
• Assists in developing and maintaining a campus program of safety and security within the guidelines of the board policies administrative regulations and the CCSD Police Department Policy and Procedures Manual.
• Assists in establishing and implementing traffic control within the school facility and on school campuses.
• Directs visitors on campus according to school and departmental policies.
• Protects campus from disturbances and criminal activity.
• Works with command staff in implementing and coordinating the district-wide safety and security program.
• Collaborates with the Cobb County Court system.
• Assists with extracurricular activities as assigned by the principal and/or chief of police or a supervisor.
• Reports all criminal and suspected criminal activity to the CCSD Police Department through report forms and procedures as directed by the chief of police and local school administration.
• Participates in stakeout and special patrol operations at selected sites as assigned by the chief of police or a supervisor.
• Responds to emergency situations including, but not limited to, reported crimes in progress, fire alarms and burglar alarms.
• Attends in-service training as mandated by the chief of police and meets all standards relating to said training activity.
• Counsels and refers students, when needed, to appropriate school officials.
• Works with teachers on class presentations as needed or when requested.
• Submits written departmental documents, including, but not limited to, incident reports, accident reports, investigative reports, administrative forms as directed by the chief of police.
• Investigates or assists with investigations of crimes occurring on Cobb County School District property.
• Testifies to criminal cases in court as required.
• Writes clear and concise reports.
• Works with students and staff members as deemed necessary through monitoring, questioning, and counseling.
• Reports for duty as directed by the chief of police or his/her designee; maintains fitness for duty.
• Adheres to laws governed by the United States, the State of Georgia, the County of Cobb, Department Policy and the Cobb County Board of Education Policy and Regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned by appropriate supervisor.
• Responds to situations that indicate a need for canine support.
• Responds to missing persons reports where a canine may be used for tracking.
• Responds to situations where there is reasonable suspicion of the presence of drugs, or firearms, and a canine is trained to locate the suspected substance or item.
• Provides for the training and care of the assigned canine.
• Participates in the selection and training of a canine and attends formal training necessary to prepare self and the canine for duty.
• Ensures that the canine is properly fed, sheltered, groomed, and exercised.
• Ensures appropriate veterinary care is provided, including health checks and immunizations.
• Ensures that the canine is appropriately socialized depending on the nature of assignments.
• Controls the canine to prevent injury to individuals and associated liability.
• Prepares reports of all canine use, including use of force.
• Maintain accurate records of K9 activities, deployments and training sessions.