Job Description

Job Summary

The K9 Handler reports directly to the K9 Supervisor. The K9 Handler is responsible for the safe, effective, and professional deployment of a certified narcotics detection canine within the cruise port environment. The handler serves as both security professional and canine specialist, conducting screening, patrol, detection, deterrence, training, reporting, and canine care functions.

The K9 Handler plays a critical role in identifying narcotics and prohibited substances, supporting security operations, enhancing public safety, and maintaining a highly visible security presence throughout the port.
The position requires exceptional discipline, sound judgment, strong observation skills, attention to detail, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to canine welfare and operational readiness."   

K9 Detection Operations:

• Conduct systematic narcotics detection screenings throughout designated port facilities.
• Perform inspections of baggage, personal property, operational areas, vehicles, cargo, storage facilities, and other designated locations.
• Utilize canine scent detection capabilities to identify illegal narcotics and prohibited substances.
• Accurately interpret canine behavior and alert responses.
• Maintain effective control of the canine during all operational deployments.
• Immediately report all positive alerts through established reporting procedures.

• Support enforcement operations involving contraband interdiction.                           
  

  Operational Planning and Deployment:

• Plan and coordinate deployment of K9 teams throughout port facilities and operational areas.
• Determine staffing and canine resource requirements based on operational demands.
• Direct narcotics detection operations at passenger screening areas, transportation hubs, terminal facilities, cargo zones, employee access points, parking facilities, restricted areas, warehouses, and special event venues.
• Adjust deployment strategies to address evolving security threats and operational requirements.
• Develop contingency plans to support emergency response and heightened security conditions.

• Ensure K9 teams maintain a highly visible security presence that acts as a deterrent against criminal activity.

  
  Security Patrol Operations:

• Conduct visible and proactive patrols throughout port facilities and public access areas.
• Maintain a strong deterrent presence against criminal activity.
• Identify suspicious behavior, security vulnerabilities, and emerging threats.
• Support access control and restricted area monitoring.
• Assist with crowd management during peak operational periods.
• Provide enhanced security coverage during special events and high-volume passenger operations.

Operational Readiness:

• Maintain the canine in a constant state of deployment readiness.
• Conduct pre-shift inspections of all assigned equipment.
• Verify functionality of radios, body-worn cameras, vehicles, harnesses, kennels, and detection equipment.
• Maintain operational logging and deployment records.
• Monitor environmental conditions to ensure safe canine working conditions."   

Training Responsibilities:

• Participate in mandatory training and certification programs.
• Conduct regular proficiency training with assigned canine.
• Complete required weekly training hours.
• Maintain canine scent recognition and detection capabilities.
• Conduct scenario-based exercises in operational environments.
• Participate in joint exercises with external agencies.
• Maintain training documentation and records.

Canine Care and Welfare:

• Assume full responsibility for the health, safety, welfare, and wellbeing of the assigned canine.
• Provide daily feeding, hydration, grooming, exercise, and enrichment activities.
• Maintain kennel cleanliness and sanitation standards.
• Monitor the canine for signs of injury, illness, stress, fatigue, or behavioral changes.
• Coordinate veterinary care as required.
• Maintain accurate medical and welfare records.
• Ensure proper transportation and housing of the canine.

Reporting and Documentation

• Complete accurate operational reports.
• Document canine alerts and deployment activities.
• Maintain daily activity logs and training records.
• Submit incident reports in accordance with established procedures.
• Provide detailed written statements and observations when required.
• Maintain evidence integrity and chain-of-custody procedures.

Safety Responsibilities:

• Maintain positive control of the canine at all times.
• Apply safe handling techniques during all operational activities.
• Assess operational environments for risks and hazards.
• Prevent unnecessary exposure of the canine to unsafe conditions.
• Follow incident response procedures for accidents, injuries, and medical emergencies.
• Support emergency response actions when directed.                            
• Performs other duties as assigned.      
• Adheres to Corporate Policies and Procedures, including Code of Conduct, Audit Procedures and any control related responsibility for financial data entered, stored, or reported via business systems within employee’s control (list not exhaustive). 

Ongoing Obligation

Scope: The K9 Handler is responsible for the deployment, control, training, care, and welfare of an assigned certified narcotics detection canine within the port environment. The position supports security operations through proactive screening, detection, deterrence, patrol activities, contraband identification, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. The handler is accountable for maintaining operational readiness of both the canine and all assigned equipment while ensuring compliance with established procedures, safety standards, training requirements, and certification programs.  

Problem-solving: The K9 Handler is required to exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions in dynamic operational environments. The role requires continuous assessment of canine behavior, environmental conditions, suspicious activity, security risks, passenger flow patterns, and operational priorities. The handler must accurately interpret detection alerts, adapt deployment techniques to changing circumstances, identify emerging threats, and respond appropriately to incidents while maintaining full control of the canine. The position demands strong observational skills, situational awareness, and the ability to solve operational challenges with minimal supervision.

Impact: The K9 Handler directly contributes to the effectiveness of the organization's narcotics interdiction and security programs. The quality of canine deployment, detection accuracy, professionalism, documentation, and public interaction significantly impacts overall security outcomes, stakeholder confidence, and operational effectiveness. The role serves as a highly visible deterrent to criminal activity and supports the identification of prohibited substances before they enter the port environment. Errors in judgment, canine handling, or reporting may negatively affect security operations, safety, legal compliance, investigations, and organizational reputation. 

Leadership: While primarily an individual contributor, the K9 Handler demonstrates leadership through professional conduct, operational expertise, accountability, and collaboration with security teams and external stakeholders. The handler acts as the principal custodian and trainer of the assigned canine and may provide guidance, instruction, and subject matter expertise to security personnel regarding K9 operations and detection capabilities. The role supports supervisors during operational deployments, special events, training exercises, emergency incidents, and awareness initiatives, while serving as a positive ambassador for the K9 program. 

Knowledge:  Understanding of workplace policies and procedures / Familiarity with team collaboration tools and techniques.

Skills:  Strong time management and organizational skills

Abilities:  Ability to maintain reliable and consistent attendance / Capacity to be punctual and meet deadlines / 

• Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and work as part of a team / Demonstrated professionalism in all interactions and tasks."                            
• Lead by example by ‘respecting and protecting’ the health and safety of yourself and others 
• Ensure your team and colleagues speak up report all accidents, ‘near miss’ incidents and work related ill health conditions
• Help your team follow HESS rules and procedures by promoting the HESS Golden Rules
• Attend HESS training & conduct risk assessments where required"                            
• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Law Enforcement, or related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of the ISPS Code, maritime security regulations, and port facility security operations."                            
• Minimum 3-5 years of security, law enforcement, military, customs, corrections, border protection, or related experience.
• Previous K9 handling experience highly preferred.
• Experience working within transportation hubs, ports, airports, critical infrastructure, or public venues preferred."