K-9 Police Officer (Canine Handler)

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport•Greer, SC

8h•$23 - $29•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for performing a variety of duties and tasks related to customer service and maintaining a secure and orderly environment and protection of the Airport District. This position serves as a uniformed law enforcement representative of the District, performing all duties commensurate to this responsibility. In addition, this position is one that involves the use of a trained police dog. The handler and the dog will work as a team and will be used to support patrol. The K9 Handler is responsible for the care, training, and deployment of an assigned police service canine in support of airport law enforcement and public safety operations. This assignment requires specialized skills, ongoing training, and a commitment to maintaining operational readiness in a dynamic airport environment.

Requirements

Currently certified Class 1 Officer with at least two (2) years of recent law enforcement experience required.
Possess a general knowledge of Airport Rules and Regulations, preferred.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
A demonstrated proficiency in law enforcement job knowledge and practice.
Have the ability to discharge a firearm without undue risk to airport employees, tenants, and the public, and comply with department firearm standards.
Demonstrate proficient operation of a police vehicle.
Have the ability to operate an emergency vehicle and vehicle radio equipment at the same time.
Maintain good customer service skills when dealing with tenants and the general public.
Proficiency in the use of a personal computer is necessary, including, but not limited to, skills in Microsoft Office products.
This position requires skills in prioritization, organization, verbal communications and interpersonal relations, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Successfully complete the department’s field training program.
Valid Driver’s License required.
Must be certified by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Council or meet the minimum requirements for entry into the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy.
Successfully complete the requirements of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy pre-hire testing which may include psychological profile, Police Officers selection test, Polygraph Exam, physical, drug and alcohol screening, and the field training program.
Must be able to complete and pass a background investigation, drug screening, and physical examination as per Federal, State and GSP Airport District requirements.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s Degree or above, preferred.
Previous K-9 handling experience, preferred.
Extensive knowledge in narcotics detection/investigation, explosives, article/evidence searches
Possess a general knowledge of Airport Rules and Regulations, preferred.

Responsibilities

Routinely assigned to police patrol shift.
Performs and enforces traffic control and parking rules.
Investigates crimes, accidents and suspicious activity on the airport property.
Prepares incident, booking, and accident reports.
Assists other law enforcement agencies, writes state summons, and attends court when required.
Assists the general public, performs lockout, escort, and protective services as directed.
Assists with the enforcement of the Airport Security Plan and Airport Emergency Plan requirements.
Operates a police vehicle on patrol, non-emergency response, emergency response, or pursuit for the apprehension of suspects.
Must qualify annually with duty weapon or as prescribed by an approved Academy firearms instructor program. Duty weapon proficiency is to be maintained above eighty percent (80%).
Performs other duties as assigned.
Maintain full responsibility for the assigned K9, including daily care, feeding, grooming, medical attention, and overall well-being, ensuring the canine remains in optimal working condition at all times.
Conduct regular and documented training in accordance with departmental policy and recognized certification standards to ensure the K9 team maintains proficiency in its designated disciplines (e.g., narcotics detection, explosives detection, article search, tracking).
Deploy the K9 in support of airport operations, including but not limited to terminal sweeps, cargo and baggage screening, vehicle inspections, and response to suspicious packages or threats.
Assist in law enforcement operations such as suspect apprehension, tracking, area searches, and evidence recovery, when applicable and authorized.
Serve as a visible deterrent to criminal activity within the airport district, enhancing overall security and public confidence.
Respond to requests for K9 assistance from within the airport district and, when authorized, from outside agencies through mutual aid agreements.
Maintain all required certifications for both handler and K9, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and accreditation standards (e.g., CALEA, TSA guidelines where applicable).
Complete detailed reports documenting K9 deployments, training activities, finds, and any use-of-force incidents involving the canine.
Ensure proper maintenance, cleanliness, and readiness of assigned K9 vehicle, equipment, and kennel facilities.
Adhere to all airport district policies and regulations, including TSA security requirements, sterile area access protocols, and coordination with airport operations and tenants.
Provide demonstrations and participate in community outreach events, public education, and stakeholder engagement as directed.
Maintain close coordination with airport stakeholders, including airlines, TSA personnel, tenants, and operations staff, to support a safe and secure environment.
Remain on-call or available for emergency response involving the K9, as required by departmental policy.
House the K9 at the handler’s residence when required, maintaining appropriate kennel conditions and security.
Monitor the health, behavior, and performance of the K9 and promptly report any concerns to supervisory personnel.
Participate in ongoing professional development related to K9 handling, detection techniques, and airport security operations.
Ensure compliance with all departmental policies regarding K9 use, documentation, and liability.