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Police Officer, Canine Trainer (Trainee)

Job ID: 14227

Business Unit: MTA Headquarters

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Department: K-9 Unit

Date Posted: Jan 9, 2026

Description

INTERNAL JOB POSTING- ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE MTA POLICE DEPARTMENT

Job Title: Request for Consideration: Police Officer, Canine Trainer (Trainee)

Dept/DIV: MTA Police Department, Special Operations Division/Canine Unit

Supervisor: MTA PD Canine Unit Supervisors

Hours of Work: Various

Summary

The Canine Trainer Trainee will be responsible for learning every aspect of canine training that deals with the MTA Police canine transit environment. They will be responsible to teach these aspects to new recruits and experienced handlers receiving replacement K9’s. The Canine Trainer Trainee will also be responsible to educate themselves in the NY DCJS Methods of Instructions and certify in such. The K9 Trainer Trainee will learn as much as possible from the current K9 Trainers and lead by example those students that they will be teaching.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

+ Maintain all relative records dealing with the canine training process

+ Instruct in the classroom setting all relevant material dealing with Canine Training

+ Instruct in the field all relevant Material dealing with Canine Training

+ Be familiar with MTA Police Department Policy and Procedures and be able to instruct new recruits to the K9 Unit on important policy and procedures which concerns a canine handler

+ Be familiar with the paperwork regarding workers Compensation and all relevant procedures that go along with such

+ Maintain proper care and inventory control over various hazardous materials

+ Be familiar with the NYS DCJS Canine Standards

+ Be familiar with the ATF&E Certifications

+ Be familiar with the USPCA, NAPWDA, CPWDA certification standards

+ Maintain all relevant records dealing with any equipment issued to an MTA Police K9 handler

+ Maintain all relevant records dealing with canines and veterinary care

+ Be willing to decoy for canines in a controlled atmosphere and be willing to advance skills in such and be willing to learn how to use all canine equipment properly

+ Be familiar with the Geographical area of enforcement of the MTA Police Department

+ Be flexible on Job scheduling. Be able to work five days a week when there is a canine class in secession

Qualifications

+ A minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a certified canine handler

+ Have completed an explosive awareness course and be certified by NYS DCJS

+ Must be flexible in work scheduling and be able to perform other duties specified by the Canine supervisors

+ Certified NYS DCJS General Topics Instructor preferred

+ Ability to direct training techniques and equipment required to provide guidance and direction to other canine officers as needed

+ Must be able to develop and maintain good relations with other officers, supervisors and other Law Enforcement and Government Officials

+ Excellent Oral and written communication skills

+ Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel

Other Information

Interested employees who meet the above listed qualifications will be invited to participate in a panel interview. Candidates should understand that excessive sick occurrences or disciplinary history may disqualify them from sitting for a panel interview.

Candidates should understand that they are not guaranteed an assignment with the Canine Unit, even if they meet each of the above qualifications.

Equal Employment Opportunity

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.