• Sergeant, Canine Handler

    MTA (New York, NY)


    Sergeant, Canine Handler

     

    Job ID: 14261

     

    Business Unit: MTA Headquarters

     

    Regular/Temporary: Regular

     

    Department: K-9 Unit

     

    Date Posted: Jan 13, 2026

    Description

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

    Job Title: Request for Consideration: Sergeant, Canine Handler

     

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

     

    Supervisor: Commanding Officer, Special Operations Division

     

    Hours of Work: Twelve (12) hour twenty (20) minute tours, three (3) days per week, with four (4) consecutive rest days (Patrol Chart)

    Summary

    The Department is seeking applications from qualified Sergeants who are interested in being assigned as Canine Handlers.

     

    The Sergeant Canine Handler will assist the Canine Lieutenants in the day-to-day operation and coordination of MTAPD Canine Unit ensuring that it consistently meets the needs of the Department. In addition to performing routine supervisory duties, the Sergeant will function as liaison between other MTA Departments such as Fleet, Communications, and numerous outside vendors that supply the Unit with equipment and services.

    Responsibilities

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

    • Scheduling of Police Officer Canine Teams for work including time off approvals and maintaining payroll records.

    • Performing Service-Related Injury reports/investigations and Workers' Compensation reports/investigations.

    • Maintain proper training schedules and record keeping of subordinates.

    • Preparation and submission of a monthly report regarding all K-9 activities to the Commanding Officer.

    • Recommendations to the Commanding Officer concerning scheduling of K-9 teams as needed to support patrol operations and Special Operations.

    • Plan, schedule, assign, and participate in public K-9 Demonstrations.

    • Adjust deployment as necessary in response to ongoing local and world threats.

    • Maintain statistical files, as needed, to support the function of the K-9 unit.

    • Maintain and monitor readiness of canine specialized equipment.

    • Responsible for health and welfare for the Handler's assigned K-9, both on and off duty.

    • Be willing to be trained to work safely with explosives.

    • Be willing to travel throughout the MTA System in the course of their duties.

    • Agreeable to being bitten by a Police trained canine when fitted with protective equipment.

    • Additional duties as assigned.

    Qualifications:

    Interested employees must, at a minimum, possess the following qualifications to be considered for this position:

    • Must currently hold the rank of Sergeant or be a Police Officer on the current Sergeant promotional list with at least two (2) years of K9 unit experience and be eligible to be promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

    • Possess strong administrative, organizational, interpersonal, and supervisory skills.

    • Ability to function in a stressful environment.

    • Self-motivated and self-starter.

    • Proficient in administrative duties.

    • Possess a sincere interest in animals and animal behavior.

    • Have an interest in world events and threats in regard to terrorism.

    • Some tactical knowledge is preferred but not required.

    • Commit to serve in the Canine Unit assignment for a minimum of four (4) years.

    • Any time prior to four years within the Unit, adoption of your canine partner will be at the discretion of the CO of SOD.

     

    The K9 Unit reserves the right to reassign the department issued canine if you do not fulfill your four-year commitment.

     

    • Permit a department-owned canine to live in the employee's residence and permit an outdoor kennel to be placed in a secure area of yard.

    • Permit a department interview of his/her immediate family and others living in the residence.

    • Permit periodic inspections of his/her residence and canine living area.

    • Successful completion of an Interview Process.

    • At the interview, complete a "Canine Handler Candidate Questionnaire" to determine suitability for this assignment

     

    Other Information

     

    Interested employees who meet the above listed qualifications will be invited to participate in a panel interview. At the interview, employees will need to complete a "Canine Handler Candidate Questionnaire" to determine suitability for this assignment.

     

    Candidates who have a record of excessive absences from work or disciplinary history may be disqualified from the process prior to interviewing. Candidates should understand that they are not guaranteed an assignment with the Canine Unit, even if they meet each of the above qualifications.

     

    Candidates who are selected will enter a MTAPD Canine Training Class and must successfully complete a rigorous basic Canine Handlers course in order to be permanently assigned to the MTAPD Canine Unit.

     

    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.

     

    embers, to apply.