Temporary K-9 Handler

This is a temporary position and may work hours on an intermittent basis, or 40 hours per week for up to 5 months. This position does not receive County benefits.

The Canine Search Specialist Extra-hire is a part of our Emergency Management WATF–1 team and is primarily responsible for supporting the Search function with their canine resource. They are also responsible for the care and welfare of the canine during mission deployment. The Canine Search Specialist reports to the Search Team Manager.

At the heart of the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management is a commitment to communication, coordination, and collaboration. We work closely with our stakeholders and communities to prepare for, respond to, mitigate against, and recover from disasters — always with a focus on saving lives and protecting property.

We’re proud to be one of the first counties in the nation to be accredited through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), and we’ve maintained that high standard through two successful reaccreditations. This achievement highlights our role as a leader in emergency management, not just in Pierce County, but throughout the Puget Sound, Washington State, and across the United States.

This success is driven by a team of passionate and dedicated individuals who are committed to sustaining our network infrastructure and providing the best customer service to our stakeholders. You will be joining a larger team in Emergency Management committed to the full cycle of emergency management: planning, preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery.

We encourage you to learn more about our department by clicking here.

Ability to be activated during an emergency to search disaster environments and locations indicated in the mission assignment, using appropriate canine search equipment and techniques. You will document the results of the canine search, including locations of alerts, and route them appropriately. Understand and accurately interpret your canine’s behavior, including knowledge of their capabilities and limitations. You will also provide care and welfare of your canine, including assisting the Medical Team in the canine’s medical care.

Throughout the onboarding process, you will meet with the supervisors, teams, and the admin team regularly to discuss expectations, set goals, identify priorities, and gain familiarity with current policies, procedures, and strategic measures.

• Search disaster environments and locations indicated in the mission assignment using appropriate canine search equipment and techniques.
• Document results of the canine search, including locations of alerts and routing them appropriately.
• Understand and accurately interpret canine behavior, including knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of their search canines.
• Care and welfare of their canine, including assisting the medical team with the canine’s medical care.
• Perform additional tasks or duties as assigned

• Meet all FEMA Administrative and General Training requirements.
• Have current certification as a DHS/FEMA National US&R Response System Canine Search Specialist Team.
• Complete the DHS/FEMA National US&R Response System Canine Search Specialist course.
• Complete the DHS/FEMA National US&R Response System GPS Awareness Level course.
• Complete the required Technical Rescue Skill Sets as defined in Appendix
  
  A.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case‑by‑case basis and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Satisfactory physical condition, as evidenced by a county-approved physical examination, may be required before appointment to the position.

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting APPLY above or go to:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit and…