HQ Job Description (JD)
Band 5
Directorate: Security
Job Description - National Dog Inspectorate -
NDTSG
Document Ref.
OR-JES-HQ-0837 National Dog Inspectorate - NDTSG
v3.0
Document Type
Management
Version
3.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
2 May 2024
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Head of Group
JD Evidence
OR-JES-HQ-0837 National Dog Inspectorate - NDTSG v3.0
Job Description
Job Title
National Dog Inspectorate ‐ NDTSG
Directorate
Security
Band
5
Overview of the
This is an operational role within the Directorate of Security. This
job
post is required to assist the Head of NDTSG in the
management and effective delivery of all Dog Services for the
Organisation by providing Public and Contracted Prisons with
support and advice.
Will manage and oversee HMPPS dog training delivery, ensuring
all HMPPS dog courses are current, fit for purpose and are being
delivered by accredited HMPPS dog trainers in accordance with
each course curriculum.
Will manage an efficient and cost effective programme of
accreditation by assessment, and licensing.
Will manage an effective programme of monitoring operational
deployment, ensuring HMPPS dog teams are delivering a quality
service and are policy and legislation compliant.
The job holder will manage the deployment of specialist dog
resources to operational incidents/emergencies on an “on call"
24/7 basis for HMPPS, public and contracted prisons and
immigration centres. The job holder is required to manage,
advise, plan and offer resolution to Gold and Silver Commanders
for all firearms and explosive searches. The job holder will be
required to handle and deploy a search dog. The job holder will
be required to work unsocial hours.
Staff travel from home to permanent work base (Kidlington or
Hatfield) is in their own time.
Summary
The post holder will provide an independent assessment and
licensing group for all prison dogs. Will ensure the effective
delivery and provision of mandatory accreditation to all General-
Purpose Dog and Search Dog Teams in accordance with the
standards laid down in HMPPS policy framework, supplementary
guidance, and current legislation.
The post holder will manage the deployment of national
specialist teams and resources (including but not limited to dog
handlers and dedicated search teams) to manage national
emergencies including firearms and explosive searches.
OR-JES-HQ-0837 National Dog Inspectorate - NDTSG v3.0
The post holder will also manage all dog related incidents
including dog bites, missing/lost dogs and allegations made
against a handler in connection with the care, health, welfare or
security of their dogs.
Dog handler care and maintenance allowance is applicable.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following
Activities and
responsibilities, activities and duties:
Duties
• Manage the effective delivery and provision of mandatory
accreditation to all General Purpose Dog and Search Dog
Teams in accordance with the relevant standards/policies
and current legislation. To assist in the achievement of Prison
Service Objectives in the National Dog and Technical
Support Group.
• Plan and implement the national delivery of licensing and
accreditation by the Inspectorate for all prison dogs to the
standards in conjunction with the Head of NDTSG.
• Ensure provision of licensing documentation and reports to
establishments. Maintain an up to date and accurate NDTSG
Licensing Database.
• Undertake a programme of support and quality assurance
visits to assist establishments and areas in ensuring
compliance with National Performance Standards.
• As directed by the Head of NDTSG, undertake dog unit and
training aids audits, taking into account procedures and
services approved in HMPPS Dog Policy, supplementary
guidance and other relevant legislation and documents.
• As directed by the Head of NDTSG, assist establishments
and area teams with dog related investigations.
• Advise Senior Managers on animal welfare law and
legislation.
• The Inspectorate are available during periods of ‘on call’, and
at other times as directed by the National Incident
Management Unit (NIMU) or the ORRU Duty Managers.
• The National Dog Inspectorate plan, organise and implement
a framework of local, regional and national dog trials for
general purpose and search dogs on an annual basis.
• Manage and update all national dog curriculum courses to
ensure these meet the requirements of HMPPS dog policy,
national canine accreditation standards, health and safety,
animal welfare legislation and local requirements.
• Represent Head of NDTSG at relevant local and national
meetings, providing input into policy/training curriculum.
• Provide assistance for general specialist enquiries and
specific policy support to national directorates, Regional
offices and establishments. The Inspectorate will also
undertake special assessments of prison dogs following any
incidents of operational bites or near misses.
• Attend meetings and development workshops to provide
constructive input on current policy and development of
National policy as required.
• Undertake or take part in accreditation appraisals for internal
and external providers of training for prison dogs as directed
OR-JES-HQ-0837 National Dog Inspectorate - NDTSG v3.0
by the Head of NDTSG. Deliver an effective accreditation
process for Prison Service dog trainers. Maintain an up to
date database for accredited dog training staff.
• Ensure that all HMPPS dog trainers are accredited for the
provision of training in accordance with the standards laid
down in the HMPPS dog policy and as directed by the Head
of NDTSG.
Undertake other tasks as follows:
• Understand, apply and conform to national and local polices.
• Establish, develop and maintain professional relationships
with prisoners and staff.
• Maintain and update systems in line with local agreements.
• Prepare relevant documentation to managers for
verification/quality checking purposes.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required
including inter service and multi-agency organisations.
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.
• 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.
• Ensure you and other ORRU staff have access to Post
Incidents Care in line with local and national policies.
• 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.
• Assist the Head of NDTSG and NDTSG Heads of
Centres.
OR-JES-HQ-0837 National Dog Inspectorate - NDTSG v3.0
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.
Civil Service Success Profile Criteria
Behaviours
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
Strengths
(Note: we recommend you choose 4 to 8 strengths locally -
select from the list of Civil Service strength definitions on the
intranet.
Experience
• Experience as a HMPPS general purpose dog handler
and/or search dog handler.
• Experience in HMPPS dog training delivery for general
purpose dogs and/or search dogs.
Technical
• A HMPPS qualified dog handler with a minimum of 5
Requirements
years’ experience.
• An accredited HMPPS dog trainer in general purpose dogs
and/or search dogs.
• Extensive knowledge of HMPPS dog policy and animal
welfare law and legislation.
• Undergo fitness test in line with the staff fitness testing
policy.
• Ability to work towards and pass level 3 Driver Response
training.
Ability
• Your ability and potential to perform to the required
standard will be assessed during application and an
interview.
• Good communication skills and ability to communicate to
all levels of the organisation.
• Knowledge and understanding of the capabilities and
limitations of dogs within 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.
OR-JES-HQ-0837 National Dog Inspectorate - NDTSG v3.0
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 made 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.
OR-JES-HQ-0837 National Dog Inspectorate - NDTSG v3.0