Explosive Detector Dog Handler

Permanent- Salaried Full Time- Auckland, NZ, 2150**Explosive Detector Dog Handler (EDDU)**:
**Salary range: $66,084 - $80,116 + $17,553 Dog Allowance**:
**Auckland & Wellington Locations**:
**Working at our organisation you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to safe and secure skies, for New Zealand**:
**We have two vacancies (one Auckland and one Wellington) for Dog Handlers superstars to join our team, if this sounds like you, please read on**

**About the role**

Our dog teams 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.

Whether it’s on-the-job experience, courses, training opportunities, or secondments with Explosive Detector Dog Handler (EDDU) or Aviation Security Service (AvSec) we can offer you a varied role and development opportunities. As an EDDU Handler, ideally you will start with us **as soon as possible**, on airport as a Trainee Dog Handler. You are then assigned a dog, and both undergo a comprehensive 10-week training course at the New Zealand Police Dog Training Centre (located in 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.

**What we offer**

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 for work purposes, a company phone, full uniform, annual shoe allowance, on-site parking, as well as vision and orthotics financial assistance. Did we mention adding a dog to your home environment?

**What are we looking for?**

To be a successful EDDU Handler you will need to:

- Have an affinity to work with dogs with a firm and gentle handle
- be a true professional, adaptable, resilient and decisive when required
- be flexible and able to respond to 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.

**What do you need?**

To be considered for a career with EDDU, you must meet the following pre-requisites:

- Must be willing to have regular Covid-19 tests and continue to be fully vaccinated for your own health, and the health, safety and wellbeing of colleagues, friends, family and the wider community.
- 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 permanent 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, and with off-street parking for a work vehicle.

**Please keep in mind**:
You need to be able to travel at short notice and for varying durations. This starts from the assessment centre, 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. Also note that these roles work on a **shift roster** that varies on location with 6 days on and 3 days off.

**About us - AvSec and EDDU**

Aviation Security Service (AvSec) is the Government provider of aviation security in Aotearoa New Zealand, operating at our six major airports: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill. In 1992, 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

We embrace diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive environment where our people feel respected, safe, and valued for their unique contribution.

The foundation for achieving this is **_our values_**, which guide how we work and the behaviours we expect from each other.
- **Me mahi tahi - Collaboration - **We work together to achieve and succeed.
- **Me mahi pono - Transparency - **We are open and honest communicators.
- **Me mahi tika - Integrity - **We do the right thing.
- **Me manaaki