Explosive Detector Dog Handler - Auckland

The Civil Aviation Authority and the Aviation Security Service offer distinctively different career opportunities and embrace diverse talent. All jobs at the Authority contribute to ensuring safe and secure skies to help New Zealand fly.

The Civil Aviation Authority is the regulatory arm of our organisation and the Aviation Security Service is the nationwide provider for aviation security.

Explosive Detector Dog Handler

Starting Salary: $72,187 p.a. + $17,553 p.a. Dog Allowance

Auckland Airport

About us - AvSec and EDDU
Aviation Security Service (AvSec) is the Government provider of aviation security in Aotearoa New Zealand, operating at our six major airports: Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill. In 1992, AvSec established the Explosive Detector Dog Unit (EDDU) with our first dog team. Today, there are more than 30 operational dog teams located at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown airports, and we are growing!

About the role
Our dog teams search for explosives within the airport environment and may also assist other government agencies with national security events or incidents. We are mobile and reactive to any potential threat to national security. We can be deployed at a moment's notice to any airport or location around Aotearoa and are expected to maintain a high level of operational standard through regular training and assessments.

Whether it's on-the-job experience, courses, training opportunities, or secondments with EDDU or AvSec, we can offer you a varied and successful career. As an EDDU Handler, you will start your journey with us on airport as a Trainee Dog Handler. You are then assigned a dog and will both undergo a comprehensive 10-week training course. Upon completion, you graduate as an operational Explosive Detector Dog Handler. You will continue to develop through ongoing additional training, courses and professional opportunities.

We embrace diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive environment where our people feel respected, safe, and valued for their unique contribution.

Why join us
EDDU Handlers are entitled to 20 days of annual leave, 5 days shift workers leave, 3 days AvSec holiday leave and 12 days sick leave. Other benefits include a company vehicle for work purposes, a company phone, full uniform, annual shoe allowance, on-site parking, as well as vision and orthotics financial assistance.

What are we looking for?
To be a successful EDDU Handler you will need to:

• be a true professional - adaptable and able to make clear decisions under pressure.
• be flexible and able to respond as required in a dynamic, operational environment.
• have the ability to work alone and as an engaged member of the team.
• have a growth mindset and be committed to continuous learning.
• have the ability to work with and get the best from a dog.

What do you need?
To be considered for a career with EDDU, you must meet the following pre-requisites:

• Must be medically and physically fit and willing to undertake a medical assessment by a licensed medical practitioner.
• Must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
• Must have a full clean New Zealand driver's licence.
• Must be able to work rostered shift work, which will include weekends, nights, public holidays, and being able to be recalled at short notice to respond to emergency incidents.
• Must have a suitable, fully fenced property to home a dog in a fully fenced property, with space for a (L 2.4m x W 2.4m x H 2.0m) kennel on a concrete foundation.
• Must live within 50 minutes of the airport of employment. The AA Time Distance calculator is used to measure this distance. https://www.aa.co.nz/travel/time-and-distance-calculator/
• Able to undergo additional training to enable Avsec EDD handlers to support our partner agencies.

Application information
Please read through the position description for this role to find out if you have the relevant skills and experience to become a successful EDDU Handler.

If you are interested in a building a career with EDDU keeping New Zealand's skies safe and secure, apply today using the link provided.

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 30 March 2025.