Job Description (JD)
Band 4
Group Profile - Prison Officer Specialist (POS)
Job Description - POS : Patrol Dog Handler
Document Ref.
OR-JES-030-JD-B4 : POS : Patrol Dog Handler v9.0
Document Type
Management
Version
9.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
3 March 2020
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
OR-JES-030-JD-B4 : POS : Patrol Dog Handler v9.0
Job Description
Job Title
POS : Patrol Dog Handler
Group Profile
Prison Officer Specialist
Organisation Level
Delivery 3-4
Band
4
Overview of the job
This is an operational job in a High Security establishment.
Summary
The job holder will be a Prison Officer who will have additional specialist Patrol Dog
Handler training to carry out this job.
They will supervise and support prisoners in a secure custodial setting, ensuring all
services are provided to a high standard and that security and control are maintained at
all times.
They will also be deployed as a Supervising Officer where required.
This is an operational job with no line management; however they will have
supervisory responsibilities for staff.
Responsibilities,
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities
Activities and Duties
and duties:
? Maintain responsibility for the dog inside and outside working hours including
kennelling, hygiene, exercise, health and welfare; informing the Custodial
Manager of any incidents or issues involving the dog
? Maintain day-to-day obedience and skills of the dog, upholding standards in line
with the requirements of national guidelines
? Identify reasons for the dog underperforming and take corrective action
? Carry out patrols internally and externally, on foot and in response vehicles
? Check perimeter walls and other specified areas daily
? Detect and detain prisoners attempting to escape
? Search for missing persons, intruders and hidden items
? Escorting of high risk vehicles as per risk assessment
? Work as part of a team to contain and disperse acts of indiscipline and assist
officers with Control and Restraint (C and R) where required
? Support the escort of prisoners as required
? Support the Tornado teams / provide mutual aid to other establishments as and
when required
? Participate in the delivery of dog handling training to others as required
? Undertake searching of the establishment for any missing prisoners as and when
detailed to do so by the Emergency Control Room
? Maintain a high state of vigilance to any possible security risks while on duty
? Keep updated records concerning their own dog, such as, Occurrence Book,
Record of Service, Vet visits, boarding kennels and weight chart for inspection by
the Supervising Officer
? Assist other dog handlers when required
? Attend all Dog Unit, Security, DST and other meetings as required
? Advise the Supervising Officer on dog team operations when requested
OR-JES-030-JD-B4 : POS : Patrol Dog Handler v9.0
Undertake other Specialist Officer tasks as follows:
? Supervise, manage and control prisoners decently, safely and securely whilst
carrying out all activities
? 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
When required act as a Supervising Officer as per the following job descriptions:
? SO : Safe, Decent and Secure / YP
? SO : Operations / YP
? SO : Special Unit
? SO : Category A Escorts
? SO : Nights / YP
? SO : Regime
? SO : PEI
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
? Delivering at Pace
? Leadership
? Communicating and Influencing
? Working Together
? Managing a Quality Service
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8.
Essential Experience
? Must be competent in custodial procedures, including dynamic risk
assessments
Technical
? Successful completion of POELT and probation period
requirements
? Must have Custodial Care National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 3
? Must be trained in restraint techniques
? Must complete specific training to hold a certificate in patrol dog handling
and possesses a prison patrol dog license and complete ongoing
accreditation of skills by National Dog and Technical Support Group (NDTSG)
? Will complete specialist patrol dog handler initial course training and
successfully attain a licence of accreditation when taking up post. Will be
subject to initial and annual accreditation of skills by the National Prison Dog
Inspectorate (NDTSG)
? Must also hold a current full U.K driving licence to enable transportation of
prison dogs as and when required
? When transferring to a Young Persons establishment the job holder will be
required to successfully undertake an assessment to demonstrate suitability
to work with Young People
OR-JES-030-JD-B4 : POS : Patrol Dog Handler v9.0
Ability
Minimum Eligibility
Please do not alter this box
? 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 17% payment 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.
OR-JES-030-JD-B4 : POS : Patrol Dog Handler v9.0
Success Profile
Strengths
Behaviours
It is advised strengths
Ability
Experience
Technical
are chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Delivering at Pace
Must be competent in custodial
Successful completion of POELT and
procedures, including dynamic risk
probation period
assessments
Leadership
Must have Custodial Care National
Vocational Qualification (NVQ) 3
Communicating and Influencing
Must be trained in restraint techniques
Working Together
Must complete specific training to hold a
certificate in patrol dog handling and
possesses a prison patrol dog license
and complete ongoing accreditation of
skills by National Dog and Technical
Support Group (NDTSG)
Managing a Quality Service
Will complete specialist patrol dog
handler initial course training and
successfully attain a licence of
accreditation when taking up post. Will
be subject to initial and annual
accreditation of skills by the National
Prison Dog Inspectorate (NDTSG)
Choose an item.
Must also hold a current full U.K driving
licence to enable transportation of
prison dogs as and when required
Choose an item.
When transferring to a Young Persons
establishment the job holder will be
required to successfully undertake an
assessment to demonstrate suitability to
work with Young People
OR-JES-030-JD-B4 : POS : Patrol Dog Handler v9.0