Dog Handler

Job summary

The Operational Support Unit (OpSU) are looking for a candidate to carry out the role of an operational dog handler (police dogs) accredited and licensed as per the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) National Canine Training & Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS) for the following dogs:

• Firearms Support Dog (FSD)/General Patrol Dog (GPD), and
• Cash, Drugs, Firearms Detection Dog or Digital Media Detection Dog.

The post holder will support National Crime Agency (NCA) operational delivery with the use of police dogs, this will include arrest and search, as well as surveillance and support to Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance Teams (MAStS).

Entry Requirements

Essential to live in a premises with a garden suitable to home kennelling of operational dogs required for role.

On-call working

The role includes participation in an on‑call rota, subject to operational requirements. If you do perform on-call duties, where eligible, you will be entitled to an on-call allowance for each session you are on-call.

Job description

The role of an NCA Dog Handler is diverse and no day is ever the same. The successful candidate will deploy all over the UK in support of NCA and partner agency tasked activity. This will include arrests of subjects, search of premises, open area searches as well as support to covert activity including providing dog support to firearms operations. NCA dog handlers have responsibility to maintain their accreditations and manage the welfare of the dogs under their care.

Successful candidates must also undertake a suitability assessment to ensure they are suitable for working with/handling police dogs, (this may be waived for existing experienced police dog handlers). This will be an assessment of working with dogs, assessed by competent handlers and instructors. This may be over multiple days. The Nominated Officer will have the final decision on a candidates suitability to be a dog handler following this assessment. Details of this assessment will be provided to candidates who progress past the initial sift. As part of the initial application the Dog Unit will need to assess candidates home address for suitability to house working dogs.

The role of dog handler requires 24/7 responsibility for 2 operational dogs. Dogs are kennelled with their handlers at their home addresses, this is not negotiable. Dogs will be kennelled in boarding kennels for annual leave, when operational requirements dictate and at the discretion of the handler and supervisor. All kennelling, vet bills, food etc. is provided.

The NCA requires all criminal investigators to hold accreditation at one of the relevant levels of the Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP). PIP is an accreditation programme for Detectives and Criminal Investigators which is owned by the National Police Chiefs Council and governed by the College of Policing.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Handler must obtain and maintain accreditation with a General Patrol Dog (GPD) and a Firearms Support Dog (FSD) with the National Canine Training & Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS). This will include annual mandatory training and re-licensing.
• Handler must obtain and maintain accreditation with a cash, drugs and firearms detection dog / or a digital media detection dog (decided by management in line with business need) in line with NCTAS. This will include annual mandatory training and re-licensing.
• Manage and maintain animal welfare to the highest of standards. Provide a standard of care for canine assets in accordance with Approved Professional Practice (APP), legislation and policy and ensuring their welfare is a priority, both on and off duty. NB. Dogs reside with the handlers at their home addresses and handlers are expected to provide care on rest days including bank holidays.
• Participate in operations/investigations in line with agency priorities, gathering information, intelligence and evidence in order to build knowledge of serious and organised crime and support the achievement of NCA objectives.
• Support arrest and search activity as required.
• Support NCA armed operations with the FSD including with support to Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance Teams (MAStS). Deployment of canine assets in support of unarmed and armed surveillance operations.
• Support operational teams with managing dogs present on subject premises/dangerous or obstructive dogs.
• Provide advice on legislation, policy and tactical options with regards to dog capabilities to assist in the planning and implementation of investigations and operations.
• Deployment of canine assets to search buildings, vehicles and open spaces for evidence or pursue and detain a person suspected of involvement in criminal activity in accordance with Approved Professional Practice (APP), legislation and policy.
• Maintain a specialist dog vehicle to ensure canine assets welfare is provided to highest possible standard.
• Carry out lawful arrest in accordance with the relevant legal requirements and policy, having regard for human rights, security, health and safety of person(s) detained, members of the public, colleagues, self and that of canine assets.
• Build good working relationships with both internal and external partners.
• Maintain the performance of dogs and develop them for their role in the NCA, by correctly preparing the dog for work, ensuring effective handling and controlling the dog in a way that maintains its safety, control and efficiency.
• Undertake regular Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and maintain operational and occupational competence in line with NCTAS and APP.
• Support wider OpSU capabilities where possible (Search/(Method of Entry)MoE/Maritime). Attend court and give evidence in accordance with legislation.
• Conduct relevant Health & Safety (H&S) procedures and report issues or identified risks in accordance with H&S legislation and NCA policy.

Person specification

Operational Dog Handling Accreditation - Accredited and licensed under NPCC National Canine Training & Accreditation Scheme (NCTAS) for General Patrol Dog (GPD)/Firearms Support Dog (FSD) and a detection dog (cash, drugs, firearms, or digital media). Maintains certifications through mandatory training and re-licensing. - Essential requirement to deliver specialist canine capability supporting NCA operational activity across the UK.

Knowledge of Relevant Legislation and Policy - Strong knowledge of CPIA, PACE 1984, NPCC Dog APP, NCTAS standards and their practical application to investigations, arrests, searches, and evidence gathering. - Ensures all deployments are lawful, proportionate, and aligned with NCA and national policing standards.

Operational Deployment Experience - Experience supporting arrest, search, surveillance, and firearms operations, including high-risk and covert environments. - Enables effective contribution to intelligence-led operations tackling serious and organised crime.

Risk Management - Sound understanding of operational risk assessment and mitigation in dynamic environments involving public safety, suspects, and canine assets. - Supports safe, controlled and proportionate operational delivery.

Decision-Making (NDM) - Proven ability to apply the National Decision Model (NDM) to make informed, ethical, and defensible operational decisions. - Critical for responding to rapidly evolving operational scenarios.

Animal Welfare Management - Demonstrates ability to maintain and prioritise the welfare of operational dogs in accordance with legislation, APP, and policy (on and off duty). - Essential due to 24/7 responsibility for two operational dogs housed at the handler’s home.

Search and Detection Capability - Experience deploying dogs to search buildings, vehicles, and open areas for evidence, persons, or illicit materials. - Directly supports investigations into serious organised crime threats.

Firearms Operations Support - Capability to support armed deployments, including Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance Teams (MAStS), using Firearms Support Dogs. - Enhances NCA armed and surveillance operational effectiveness.

Teamwork and Partnership Working - Proven ability to build effective relationships with internal teams and external partners (law enforcement and agencies). - Critical for coordinated multi-agency operations.

Covert Operations Awareness (Desirable) - Experience or understanding of covert policing environments and surveillance support. - Beneficial for supporting sensitive and intelligence-led investigations.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) - Commitment to maintaining operational competence, canine performance, and professional standards through ongoing training and development. - Ensures continued effectiveness and compliance with NCTAS and APP.

Communication and Court Skills - Ability to provide clear operational advice and deliver evidence in court in line with legal requirements. - Supports successful prosecution outcomes.

Team Culture and Improvement - Experience contributing to positive team culture, performance improvement, and measuring success. - Supports high-performing operational units within the NCA.

Physical and Practical Capability - Ability to carry out physically demanding duties including dog handling, searching environments, and operational deployment nationwide. - Required to meet the demands of a dynamic, national operational role.

Licences

Currently accredited Police Response or Advanced Driver.

Qualifications

College of Policing Q1/Q100 and/or NCTAS Accreditation for GPD/FSD and detection dog.

Professionalising Investigation Programme (PIP) Level 1 or Level 2 or recognised equivalent

Minimum PIP1.
The post you are considering applying for requires current minimum accreditation at PIP Level 1, operational competence in priority and volume crime as below:

Current and valid certification of accreditation from a Home Office Force or Law Enforcement Agency, PSNI or equivalent from Police Scotland or evidence from a relevant and competent authority such as HR unit or Force Learning and Development unit.
Accreditation from one of the above which is valid within the past 24 months plus evidence of having undertaken a criminal investigation up to referral to the prosecuting agency (CPS/PPSNI/Procurator Fiscal) within the past 24 months.

Desirable Criteria
Desirable criteria are only used for assessment in the event of a tie break.
Holds both College of Policing Q1/Q100 and NCTAS Accreditation for GPD/FSD and detection dog.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Knowledge of relevant legislation & procedure (e.g. Criminal Procedure And Investigations Act (CPIA), Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), NPCC Dog APP, NCTAS) and its impact on the role of a dog handler and Agency activity.
• Good understanding of risk management in an operational environment.
• Knowledge and experience of using the National Decision Model (NDM) to make operational decisions.
• Experience in improving culture within a team and measuring success.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,057, National Crime Agency contributes £10,445 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.

If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Your application will be assessed against the following:

Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Knowledge of relevant legislation & procedure (e.g. Criminal Procedure And Investigations Act (CPIA), Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), NPCC Dog APP, NCTAS) and its impact on the role of a dog handler and Agency activity.

• Good understanding of risk management in an operational environment.

• Knowledge and experience of using the National Decision Model (NDM) to make operational decisions.

• Experience in improving culture within a team and measuring success.

Experience - This will be assessed:

CV

Please include your full career history, training, qualifications, key responsibilities, and achievements. Explain any employment gaps in the last two years. Ensure all accreditation dates are accurate.

Details of what is expected within you CV are as follows: All applicants, whether applying by way of PIP1 or PIP equivalent accreditation, are required to submit an up-to-date CV, outlining their career history. This must include dates of any relevant accreditations or qualifications.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

Longlist

In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.

- Knowledge of relevant legislation & procedure (e.g. Criminal Procedure And Investigations Act (CPIA), Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), NPCC Dog APP, NCTAS) and its impact on the role of a dog handler and Agency activity. .

Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.

You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.

We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.

Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.

For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding

Assessment 1

The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.

If you are successful you will be invited to the second assessment.

Assessment 2

The format of this assessment will be Suitability Assessment which will be tested on via the details listed below.

Successful candidates must also undertake a suitability assessment to ensure they are suitable for working with/handling police dogs, (this may be waived for existing experienced police dog handlers). This will be an assessment of working with dogs, assessed by competent handlers and instructors. This may be over multiple days. The Nominated Officer will have the final decision on a candidates suitability to be a dog handler following this assessment. Details of this assessment will be provided to candidates who progress past the initial sift. As part of the initial application the Dog Unit will need to assess candidates home address for suitability to house working dogs.

Success Profiles at Assessment

Behaviours

• Working Together

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical

• Knowledge of relevant legislation & procedure (e.g. Criminal Procedure And Investigations Act (CPIA), Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), NPCC Dog APP, NCTAS) and its impact on the role of a dog handler and Agency activity.

• Good understanding of risk management in an operational environment.

• Knowledge and experience of using the National Decision Model (NDM) to make operational decisions.

• Experience in improving culture within a team and measuring success.

Assessment Outcome

Outcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.

In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:

1. Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
2. If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
3. If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.

You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.

Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records.

We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.

Full advert details for this vacancy can found on the advert on the NCA Recruitment Portal. Please follow the link to apply at advertisers' site.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : The Recruitment Team
• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• Telephone : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference).
If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.