Senior Instructor

GLOBAL K9 PROTECTION GROUP LLC•Opelika, AL

About The Position

Global K9 Protection Group LLC is seeking a dedicated Senior Instructor to serve as a lead member of its team. The Senior Instructor leads the Academy and directly supervises instructors and assigned field trainers. The role combines staff leadership, curriculum development, classroom and practical instruction, canine training, evaluation and certification, operational support, and administrative recordkeeping. The Senior Instructor develops and standardizes training across courses and locations, mentors and evaluates staff, oversees student and canine readiness for graduation or certification, and supports continuing education. The position also includes training and certifying students on project-required technologies, conducting searches and demonstrations, and maintaining and deploying an assigned canine as needed. Work hours vary with operational needs; nights, weekends, and holidays are required. Travel is 10%–30%.

Requirements

Be a United States citizen or national.
Be able to pass a background check and drug screen.
Have at least a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma.
Be able to read, write, and understand English sufficiently to carry out written and oral instructions.
Have trainer/instructor certification(s) from a reputable canine training agency.
Have experience training and instructing in explosives detection.
Be able to obtain within 90 days of employment a TSA Security Threat Assessment, ATF Employee Possessor clearance approval to possess explosive training aids, a TSA Pre-Check Known Traveler Number, and other background checks required for assigned projects.
Be able to lift and carry various items weighing 100 pounds or more.
Be able to meet the role's physical demands, including prolonged standing and intermittent sitting, walking, running, climbing, squatting, stretching, bending, and kneeling, as well as constant use of hands and fingers and reaching with hands and arms.
Be able to work indoors and outdoors, including in inclement weather, heat, cold, and humidity, and potentially around fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration.
Be available for variable work hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as dictated by operational tempo and management.

Nice To Haves

At least five years of experience training various canine breeds is preferred.
At least two years of experience in a lead or supervisory instructor role is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as lead instructor for the Academy, with instructors and assigned field trainers reporting directly to the Senior Instructor.
Coordinate administrative matters with the Registrar.
Supervise, schedule, and assign instructors to courses, canine training, and onsite or remote project support.
Mentor, coach, and develop staff; observe and evaluate instruction; and provide performance feedback and input to the Director.
Ensure instruction follows approved curricula, lesson plans, SOPs, and company standards, and standardize training methods across courses and locations.
Lead the development and updates of training procedures, scripts, handler course curricula, and plans for additional K9 capabilities.
Confirm students and canines meet company standards before graduation or certification; review and recommend course extensions and individualized development plans.
Onboard and qualify new hires, identify employee development needs, and coordinate continuing education.
Maintain a safe work environment and a cooperative, professional, accountable team culture; address performance or conduct issues through the proper chain of command.
Develop canine core competencies and prepare canines for handler pairing, certification, and deployment using specified conditioning and training methods.
Direct and implement training, including EDCT, VW, NDCT, tracking, and controlled aggression, from inception through advanced levels for teams with varying skills.
Deliver classroom and practical instruction and testing, and evaluate team proficiency in applicable detection certification areas.
Design and facilitate operational training scenarios and search patterns for handler teams working independently among the traveling public and in operational environments.
Oversee and conduct remedial training to address deficiencies and meet certification and operational standards.
Lead onsite and remote oversight, training, evaluations, and audits, including apprentice-style training and continuing education.
Train and certify students on project-required technologies, including X-ray, ETD, and physical search.
Conduct onsite and offsite searches and canine demonstrations, and plan and coordinate dignitary protection requirements.
Train, maintain, and certify an assigned canine, and forward deploy with the canine as required for operational support.
Maintain and audit instructor, student, and canine records, including training and utilization records, evaluations, coursework, and attendance.
Schedule site visits and manage site visit and trip report records; review instructor reports for accuracy and timeliness.
Use proper processes and the chain of command to address training deficiencies, course extensions, and instructor issues, and provide regular status updates to the Director.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.