Correctional Officer/Canine Handler (#MBDA01)
$49,278.51 Yearly Min / $53,641.00 Yearly Mid / $67,051.00 Yearly Max

Correctional Sergeant/Canine Handler (#MBDA02)

Correctional Corporal/Canine Handler (#MBDA03)

This class series uses three levels of work in the Public Safety occupational group, Protection and Security Services occupational series, and is responsible for the training and care of an assigned canine, and for maintaining institutional security, including perimeter, of a correctional facility.  Work includes patrolling the outside perimeter of an institution in a vehicle and/or on foot with an assigned K-9, and conducts security checks of buildings, monitors mass movements, controls disruptive inmates, tracks and apprehends escapees and monitors yard/recreational activities to ensure all areas are secure. An incumbent monitors the entrances, movement and exits of visitors, contractors and vendors at assigned institution.
 
Incumbents are responsible for inmates while assigned to one or more of the following posts:  living quarters, corridors, dining hall, infirmary, transportation, visiting room, work detail, control room, CERT, recreation, mailroom, tower, booking/receiving, special projects and/or perimeter patrol. Class incumbents work effectively with inmates in order to obtain their confidence and cooperation, while enforcing all rules, regulations and procedures affecting inmate discipline, security and safety.  
 
Work includes responding to emergencies, including searching for escaped offenders, hearing calls for and calling for help, giving first aid at the emergency site, carrying an injured or unconscious offender or employee various distances to safety, and subduing and restraining inmates during fights, riots and escape attempts.  Incumbents are required to carry a firearm based on assigned post.   
 
Note: The career ladder incorporates Correctional Officer/Canine Handler and Correctional Corporal/Canine Handler; therefore, all positions allocated into the career ladder are classified at the Correctional Corporal/Canine Handler level (highest level in the career ladder).  The Correctional Officer/Canine Handler level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels.  To implement the career ladder, current employees are assigned to the level for which they meet job requirements and promotional standards.  Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with promotional standards for those levels assigned to an agency.  The promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, set forth the criteria that identify, measure and verify successful performance at each level.   
 
The Correctional Sergeant/Canine Handler, although not part of the career ladder, provides competitive opportunity for movement of employees.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Maintains institutional security, discipline and order.
   
• Escorts visitors to and from appropriate security units.
   
• Monitors entrances and exits of institution with the exception of main gatehouse.  Insures visitors, contractors and vendors enter and exit institution safely.
   
• Trains and provides routine care for K-9 including feeding, grooming, kennel maintenance and maintains supply inventory and equipment.
   
• Maintains logs and prepares reports.
   
• Assists other security sections within institution during riots, shakedowns, crowd control, drug searches, inmate movement, apprehension of escapees, and other activities as needed.

Correctional Officer/Canine Handler
This level is responsible for full performance canine handling work, including the training, care and feeding of assigned canine and the maintenance of kennel building.  Positions at this level perform the full range of Essential Functions.

• Reports to a technical supervisor.
• Performs the full range of Correctional Officer/Canine Handler duties.
• Maintains all Department standards and certifications as set forth by the K-9 Training Unit.
• Monitors daily operations/movement of inmates, employees and visitors throughout the facility.
• Implements policies and procedures ensuring the redeployment of staff, and the enforcement of rules, regulations and policies of the institution and the Department.
• Provides training to newly hired Officers.
• May create warrants/arrest documents.
• Prepares complex records, reports and logs using an automated information system, which requires a higher level of security clearance; regarding unit activities, problems and/or incidents which occurred during the assigned shift or at assigned locations.   

Correctional Corporal/Canine Handler
This is the advanced and/or lead level of canine handling work responsible for performing advanced level duties and/or leading other Officers in the discipline and security of an assigned post inside and/or outside a secure facility.

• Advanced level work includes conducting administrative investigations of Officers suspected of criminal or improper activities on the job and participating in special assignments and task forces.
• Serves as the lead worker for a K-9 specialty unit.
• Handles evidence.
• May oversee lower level staff in the control of security gates, processing of new inmates (booking and receiving), reviewing commitment, release and transfer documents; or may participate in inmate classification.
• Approves reports and logs using an automated information system regarding unit activities, problems and/or incidents which occurred during the assigned shift or at assigned locations.   

Correctional Sergeant/Canine Handler
This is the first line supervisor of canine handling work.  An incumbent serves as a lead worker during K-9 proficiency training and supervising staff during CERT Training, shakedowns, escapes, and escape recovery. An incumbent at this level is responsible for supervising and participating in the discipline and security of an assigned post inside and/or outside a secure facility.

• Supervises a shift of the K-9 specialty unit. Supervision is exercised over at least two or more merit full time positions per the Merit Rules. The elements of supervision include planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, recommending hire/fire and discipline.
• Supervises, trains and provides routine care for K-9 including feeding, grooming, kennel maintenance and maintains supply inventory and equipment.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of logs and reports.
• Conducts ACA monthly home kennel inspections.
• Supervises security sections within institution during riots, shakedowns, crowd control, contraband searches, inmate movement, apprehension of escapees, and other activities as needed.
• Provides on-the-job training and technical guidance to lower level Correctional Officer/Canine Handlers.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of correctional security procedures and techniques, including perimeter surveillance.
• Knowledge of facility and department rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the techniques of first aid, self-defense, riot control, and use of firearms and other protective equipment.
• Knowledge of training, handling and care of K-9 dog.
• Knowledge of supply procedure for ordering supplies for kennels or equipment and for handlers.
• Knowledge of first aid for humans and K-9 dog.
• Skill in K-9 handling and operations.
• Skill in self defense and use of restraint procedures.
• Skill in use of assigned weapons and other protective equipment.
• Ability to enforce correctional institutional rules and regulations.
• Ability to supervise the activities of inmates. 
• Ability to maintain accurate logs and prepare reports.
• Ability to understand K-9 behavior.
• Ability to assist with disturbances and/or riots inside the institution.

In addition to the above Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, the Correctional Corporal/Canine Handler requires:

• Ability to assign and review/monitor work of lower level Correctional Officers and Correctional Officer/Canine Handlers.

In addition to the above Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, the Correctional Sergeant/Canine Handler requires:

• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
• Knowledge of supply procedure for ordering supplies for kennels or equipment and for handlers.
• Skill in the observation of inmate activities and detection of unusual or prohibited behavior which may be a security threat.
• Ability to supervise the work of others.
• Ability to act quickly and calmly in an emergency.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Correctional Officer/Canine Handler
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. At least one year experience as a Correctional Officer.
2. Knowledge of training, handling and care of dogs.

    OR

1. Six months experience as a handler of a working canine such as Patrol, Narcotics, Bomb, Search and Rescue or certified sporting canines.
2. At least 19 and 1/2 years of age.
3. Possession of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
4. Possession of a valid Driver’s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).