New Zealand Customs Service Looking for Detector Dog Handler (Customs Officer) – Christchurch at Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand Full Time

An exciting opportunity has opened up in our Detector Dog Unit (DDU) in Christchurch, to join our team and deploy a Customs dog to protect New Zealand’s borders.

Become an integral part of the team at New Zealand Customs | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa and do your part for Aotearoa by helping to prevent cross-border crime.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Detector Dog Handlers are part of the Operations Support group, supporting specialist groups such as Investigations and the Customs Maritime Unit in addition to general border enforcement activity.

A Customs Detector Dog handler works with their dog to screen aircraft, people, ships, goods and premises, to detect prohibited items such as drugs and cash.

You will need to have a well-fenced property (minimum 1.5m high) with a grassed area where you can safely and securely kennel your dog at home. When fellow handlers are on leave, you may be required to care for a second dog.

Customs does not allow our detector dogs to live at a property with other dogs. We may make an exception if you own a retired service dog, assessed by our trainers as non-aggressive and suited to sharing their space.

Ko wai koe | About you

To be successful in this role you will need to be able to demonstrate the following essential requirements:

• Be passionate – this role requires you to be passionate about protecting our borders but also striving to make a difference while working with your canine partner
• Team player – be a high performing team member and consistently maintain a high level of motivation to keep your detector dog engaged
• Drive and flexibility – this role will be rostered, which means weekend work and odd hours. You’ll also need to be prepared to frequently travel away from home often at short notice
• Understanding of the role – this is a 24/7 role where you care for the detector dog outside of work hours and on rostered days off so building and maintaining a relationship with your canine friend is vital
• Public engagement be comfortable undertaking public relations activities such as school talks or Dog Squad/Border patrol filming
• Decision-making -be able to consider situational risks, assess health and safety factors and evaluate implications of your decisions for both you and the dog. Often you’ll work independently so the ability to make good decisions around the best (and safest) utilisation of the dog is key – operating under Customs core values “we do what’s right”
• Interpersonal skills -be able to effectively communicate, understand and constructively build relationships with others (including your team, wider Customs operational groups and members of the public) and resolve differing views professionally

You Will Also Need

• A full and clean drivers’ licence
• The ability to pass a fitness test and maintain a good level of fitness.

He aha te mahi? | What’s involved?

Please read this carefully…

Applicants Who Are Short-listed Will Be Required To

Undergo a Practical Assessment day (where further shortlisting will take place)

Attend an Interview

Undertake the fitness testing (which includes undertaking a medical prior):

• Beep test Level 5.1
• Strength and skill test
• Demonstrate you can swim 50 metres and tread water for 3 minutes, whilst wearing overalls

Complete psychometric testing

Undergo drug testing

Ko te wātaka | Time Line for shortlisted candidates (Christchurch)

17 or 18 July 2023 – Participate in the Practical Assessment day

(and if shortlisted)

20 July 2023 – Attend panel interview

18 July -28 July 2023 – Complete medical

4 August 2023 – Undertake fitness test

Date to be arranged following interviews- Premises check

4 September 2023 – start training in Christchurch

Te mahi whakangungu | Training:

Successful applicants will be required to complete an initial ten week detector dog training course and pass final certification.

Me pehea te whakauru | How to apply

Please apply online. You will be asked about your previous experience and interest in the role. We would also like you to complete practical exercises where you will be asked to upload recordings of you completing them. Instructions and practical exercise demonstrations in example video clips will be sent to you separately once you’ve submitted your application.

For further information about this role please view the position description attached. Any other information can be obtained by contacting:

Supervising Customs Officer Detector Dog Unit – Joanne Ford by email [email protected]

Applications close 5 July 2023 at 5pm.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.