Explosive Detector Dog Handler at New Zealand Government

The Civil Aviation Authority and the Aviation Security Service offer distinctively different career opportunities and embrace diverse talent. All jobs at the Authority contribute to ensuring safe and secure skies to help New Zealand fly.

The Civil Aviation Authority is the regulatory arm of our organisation and the Aviation Security Service is the nationwide provider for aviation security.

Explosive Detector Dog Handler – Auckland Airport
$66,084 – $80,116 + $17,553 Allowance
About us
In 1992, Aviation Security Service (AvSec) established the Explosive Detector Dog Unit (EDDU) with our first dog team. Today, there are more than 30 operational dog teams located at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown airports, and we are growing!
About the role
EDDU Handlers start with us on airport as a Trainee Dog Handler. They are then assigned a dog, and both undergo a comprehensive 10-week training course at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre (Wellington) and at a nominated airport. Upon completion you graduate as an operational Explosive Detector Dog Handler. Training continues regularly and you will develop through additional training, courses and professional opportunities.
Why join us
EDDU Handlers are entitled to 20 days of annual leave, 5 days shift workers leave, 3 days AvSec holiday leave and 12 days sick leave. Other benefits include a company vehicle, a company phone, full uniform, annual shoe allowance, on-site parking, as well as vision and orthotics financial assistance.
What are we looking for?

To be a successful EDDU Handler you will need to:

• be a true professional who is able to adapt and make clear decisions under pressure. * be flexible and able to respond as required in a dynamic, operational environment. * have the ability to work alone and as an engaged member of the team. * have a growth mindset and be committed to continuous learning. To be considered for a career with EDDU, you:
• Must be willing to have regular Covid-19 tests and continue to be fully vaccinated. * Must be medically and physically fit and willing to undertake a medical assessment by a licensed aviation medical practitioner. * Must be a New Zealand citizen or resident. * Must have a full clean New Zealand driver’s licence. * Must be able to work rostered shift work, which may include weekends, nights, public holidays and afterhours callouts. * Must have a suitable, fully fenced property to home a dog within 50 minutes travel time of the base airport, with off-street parking for a work vehicle. Considerations

You need to be able to travel at short notice and for varying durations. This starts soon after you join when you will attend a 5-day Basic Training Course in either Christchurch or Auckland, focusing on the legislative requirements of our role. You will then attend a 5-day allocation course in Wellington where you will be paired with a dog. Your focused EDD training will commence after that and will involve 9 weeks away in Wellington and Auckland. Ongoing training and operations requirements will require travel and deployments to various airports and locations.
Please read through the position description for this role to find out if you have the relevant skills and experience to become a successful EDDU Handler.
As part of your application please include your CV and cover letter that answers the following:

• * Do you have any pet or working dogs at your property? If yes, please provide details. * Do you own your current property or rent? If you rent, are you able to house a dog? * Do you live within 50 minutes travel time of the airport and have off-street parking for a work vehicle? * Is your property fully fenced? If not, what would be your intention if you were to join EDDU? * What do you believe the care of an Aviation Security Service dog will involve on a daily basis? * What changes do you believe you will have to make to accommodate the time and responsibility of having an Aviation Security Service dog? Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 15 January 2022.

EDDU Handlers search for explosives within the airport environment and may also assist other government agencies with national security events or incidents. We are mobile and reactive to any potential threat to national security. We can be deployed at a moment’s notice to any airport or location around Aotearoa and are expected to maintain a high level of operational standard through regular training and assessments.