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HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 5
Directorate: Directorate of Security
Job Description: Response Team Manager - National Dog
Technical Support Group
Document Ref.
OR JES HQ 0693 Response Team Manager National
Dog Technical Support Group v5.0
Document Type
Management
Version
5.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
26 March 2025
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Head of Group
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
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HQ JES 0693 Response Team Manager v5.0
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Job Description
Job Title
Response Team Manager - National Dog Technical Support
Group
Directorate
Directorate of Security
Band
5
Overview of the
To provide Public and Private sector Prisons with operational
job
incident response, support and assistance 24 hours a day, 365
days a year.
Staff travel from their home to their permanent work place is
undertaken in their own time.
Summary
The post holder will be required to assist the Head of National
Dog Technical Support Group in the management of the
effective delivery of Dog and Technical Support Services for the
organisation.
This is an operational job with line management responsibilities.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties
• Responsible for remaining mobile and obtainable during
periods of “on call" as directed. Manage and provide efficient
operational deployment of the Response Team including:
o Emergencies
o Urgent operational duties
o Routine duties
• Responsible for organising, leading and where necessary
taking part in any search for firearms or explosives providing
specialist skills and advice to Silver and Gold Commanders
• Maintain the health, welfare, security and training of dogs
reporting any loss, injury or problems as necessary as per
national standards/policies and health & safety guidelines
• Responsible for ensuring through a combination of meetings,
planning, training and self-evaluation the delivery of training is
maintained to a high standard and ensures the NDTSG is
always working towards continuous improvement.
• Provide the staff to efficiently conduct pre-occupation searches
including the planning, execution and production of reports.
• Conduct the operational management of NDTSG ensuring all
necessary standards of handlers and dogs are maintained
both operationally and in training
• Ensure the correct allocation, maintenance and use of all
specialist equipment including:
o Search
o EGIS
o TSU/Data transmission
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HQ JES 0693 Response Team Manager v5.0
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o Working at Height
o Breathing Apparatus
o Covert
o Drones
o PPE
o All other operation equipment e.g. lighting, radios etc
• Maintain an effective and auditable system for the continuity of
evidence; including evidence gathering and provision for its
safe and secure storage
• Maintain an effective and auditable system for the continuity of
drug training aids; including the issuing and allocation of drug
kits and provision for its safe and secure storage
• Assist in providing all necessary reports and documentation in
respect of:
o Group management
o Asset management
o Health and Safety
o Communication
o Specialist skills and advice
• Assist in advising and evaluating all new types of equipment as
required for searching for firearms, explosives and drugs, TSU
sound and sight etc.
• Provide and maintain the monitoring requirements for the use of
dogs for searching, flexible deployment, etc.
Undertake other management tasks including:
• Ensure that all staff supervise, manage and control prisoners
decently, lawfully, safely and securely whilst carrying out all
activities
• Work collaboratively with other managers
• Promotes prison service policy in all activities and behaviours
by promoting diversity, decency, safety and reducing re-
offending agendas
• Manage devolved budgets in accordance with the financial
procedures outlined in the budget delegation
• Ensure all HMPPS standards and Service Delivery Indicators
(SDIs) are implemented and managed within the relevant work
area
• Ensure all national and local policies/procedures are
implemented and compliant with National Security Framework
(NSF), Local Security Strategy (LSS)
• Attend as directed any relevant boards/meetings
• Provides management and direction to staff within their area of
responsibility through briefings, building informal and formal
relationships and effective communication
• Produce relevant reports as required and ensure all
correspondence is replied to within agreed timescales
• Manage resources to deliver the activities within the area of
responsibility and contribute to the short-to-medium term
business planning process
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HQ JES 0693 Response Team Manager v5.0
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• Manage a safe working environment for staff, prisoners and
visitors. Ensure Health and Safety legislation is followed
ensuring Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) and risk
assessments are completed in a timely manner and any faults
reported promptly
• Manage Annual vehicle budget for NDTSG ensuring most cost
effective vehicles (30) for the group
From time to time, you may be required to undertake additional
activities which are appropriate to the level of your Group Profile
(GP)
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.
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence
through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales)
Welsh.
Behaviours
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and others
• Managing a quality service
• Seeing the bigger picture
Strengths
Note: We recommend you choose 4 to 8 strengths locally -
select from the list of Civil Service strength definitions on the
intranet.
Experience
Technical
Accredited Patrol or Search Dog Handler or ability to gain this
Requirements
accreditation with 6-12 months
Level 3 Response Driver or ability to gain this accreditation within
6-12 months of taking up the role.
Level 1 Rope Access Technicians Accreditation or ability to gain
this accreditation within 6-12 months of taking up the role
Must hold a current CMAC accreditation
Ability
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Minimum
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to
Eligibility
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.
• All candidates must hold a full driving licence
• All candidates must undergo a fitness test in line with the staff
fitness test policy.
• All staff must be operationally accredited and must hold a in
date CMAC accreditation.
Hours of Work
Unsocial Hours Working
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a payment
at the current organisational 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.
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HQ JES 0693 Response Team Manager v5.0