Role Profile

HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 4
Directorate: Directorate of Security
Job Description: Officer Specialist Dog Handler-
NDTSG

Document Ref.
HQ JES 0689 Officer Specialist Dog Handler -
NDTSG
Document Type
Management
Version
4.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
05 April 2024
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence

HQ JES 0689 Officer Specialist Dog Handler - NDTSG v4.0

Job Description

Job Title
Officer Specialist Dog Handler - NDTSG
Directorate
Directorate of Security
Band
4

Overview of the
The post holder is required to assist the Head of The National
job
Dog and Technical Support Group in deploying to incidents. To
provide technical and tactical support and advice to Silver and
Gold Commanders as required.

This is an operational role.
Summary
The post holder is required to respond to operational incidents
across HMPPS and contracted out prison estate and will be on
call 24/7 on a rotational basis to meet this requirement.  They
will also be expected to deploy to any incident as directed by the
Intelligence Operations Unit and to assist the Head of NDTSG in
the oversight of the effective delivery of Dog and Technical
Support Services for the organisation. To assist in the
achievement of Prison Service Objectives in the National Dog
and Technical Support Group.

The post holder will be based at either ORRU Hatfield or
Kidlington training centre and report to NDTSG Response
Manager. Travel from home to permanent base is at own
expense in own time.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties

•  At all times uphold and comply with the vision and aims of
HMPPS and Directorate of Security.
•  Ensure that the management of the environment includes
due respect for the use of energy, the recycling of suitable
products and the minimising of waste material.
•  To take reasonable care of your own health and safety and
that of others who may be affected by what you do or do not
do; co-operate with your employer on health and safety and
not interfering with or misusing anything provided for your
health, safety or welfare.  Comply at all times with the needs
of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH and
Domestic Cleaning Standards.
•  To self-manage workload in a timely and consistent way,
recognising boundaries, roles, responsibilities and always
representing NDTSG in a professional and appropriate
manner.
•  To attend all national (internal and external) and local
meetings as required.
•  To organise, lead or take part in any search for firearms or
explosives as required, with or without the use of dogs or
technical equipment as per safe operating procedures and
HQ JES 0689 Officer Specialist Dog Handler - NDTSG v4.0

health and safety guidelines.  This includes searching at
height and in confined spaces.
•  To organise, lead or take part in a Technical Support Unit
response as required. To act as Technical Support adviser to
Incident commanders as required.
•  To organise, lead or take part in any support required to C&R
units as directed by National Incident Management Unit.
•  To organise, lead or take part in any support required by
NTRG and National C&R units as required.  This to include
any technical support, working at height support, pyrotechnic
deployment and confined spaces support.
•  To act up to the higher grade as required.
•  Maintain the health, welfare, security and training of dogs
reporting any loss, injury or problems as necessary as per
HMPPS Dog policy framework and HMPPS supplementary
guidance and health and safety guidelines.
•  To attend training as required in all aspects of group work,
improving and maintaining skill levels in control, search,
working at height, confined spaces and TSU tasks.
•  To be responsible for the maintenance for any vehicle or
equipment issued by the group. Report all defects or damage
as necessary.
•  To ensure all evidence obtained is recorded as per PACE,
RIPA and NDTSG protocols.
•  To remain mobile and contactable  during periods of ‘on
call’ as directed.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is
at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is
expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of
a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments
may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme
and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Civil Service Success Profile Criteria

Behaviours
•  Managing a Quality Service
•  Delivering at Pace
•  Working Together
•  Communicating and Influencing
Strengths
(Note: we recommend you choose 4 to 8 strengths locally -
select from the list of Civil Service strength definitions on the
intranet.
Experience
•  Candidates must have completed the HMPPS probationary
period as a B3 Operational Prison Officer.
•  Must be able to manage a wide range of assets in both the
training and operational setting.
Technical
•  Undergo and pass the advanced fitness test in line with the
Requirements
HMPPS fitness testing policy.
•  Ability to work towards and pass level 3 Driver Response
training.
•  Ability to work towards and pass the NTRG Working at Height
Course.
HQ JES 0689 Officer Specialist Dog Handler - NDTSG v4.0

•  Work towards and pass the Advanced Tornado dog and
EDD/FDD/Search Dog Handler accreditations issued by the
National Prison Dog Inspectorate (NDTSG).
•  Must hold a full, clean UK driving licence.
•  Have a secure garden sufficient in size to hold at least a
2.47 metre Sq. (9ft x 9ft) Dog Kennel per dog.
Ability
•  Your ability and potential to perform to the required standard
will be assessed during application and an interview.
•  Ability to work towards and becoming an accredited dog
handler, to provide establishment support.
•  Must be self-motivated to plan work around operations,
training  and a range of services that we offer establishments.
•  Must be able to work as a proactive team member working
closely with peers to provide an excellent service to all of our
stakeholders.
•  You can communicate in a way that promotes the professional
standards within the team, building relationships both
internally and externally to HMPPS.

Minimum
Please do not alter this box
Eligibility

•  All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to
taking up post.
•  All external candidates are subject to 6 months’
probation.  Internal candidates are subject to probation if they
have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.
•  All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a
group or organisation which HMPPS consider to be racist.

Hours of Work
37 hour working week (standard).
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
HMPPS staff on closed pay structures only:
Additional Conditioned Hours Pensionable (ACHP)
Staff moving from a closed 39 hour pay structure will be eligible
for the two protected pensionable additional committed hours
(ACHP). They will work a 39 hour week consisting of the standard
37 hour week and a further 2 additional hours (ACHP) paid at
plain time pensionable rate.

Unsocial Hours Working:
This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a payment
at the current approved organisation rate will be paid in
addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are
those hours outside 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and
include working evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/Public
holidays.

HQ JES 0689 Officer Specialist Dog Handler - NDTSG v4.0