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Military Working Dog Trainer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$58K - $75K/yr

Performs other patrol/detector dog training and duties as assigned. To perform duties as a military working dog trainer responsible for maintaining optimum MWD team readiness, proficiency and ...

Dog Trainer

Clearwater, FL · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

Now Hiring: Part-Time Balanced Dog Trainers (2 positions available!) Do you love working with dogs and people? We're looking for two awesome Part-Time Balanced Dog Trainers to join our team! At Dog ...

Dog Trainer

Clearwater, FL · On-site

$15 - $20/hr

Now Hiring: Part-Time Balanced Dog Trainers (2 positions available!) Do you love working with dogs and people? We're looking for two awesome Part-Time Balanced Dog Trainers to join our team! At Dog ...

Working Dog Handler (U.S. Army)

Suffolk, VA · On-site

$12.25 - $15.75/hr

Military Working Dog (MWD) handlers are responsible for the care and training of his or her service dog, which contributes to combat operations abroad and installation security at home by providing ...

We provide the training, marketing, and support; you will be the Trainer for the OLK9 Palm Springs , CA location working one on one with dogs and their human parents! Responsibilities will include ...

We provide the training, marketing, and support; you will be the Trainer for the OLK9 Palm Springs , CA location working one on one with dogs and their human parents! Responsibilities will include ...

Dog Trainer

Santa Cruz, CA · On-site

$70K/yr

Day to day requirements: -Handling and training small and large breeds from puppy to adult. -Working with dogs needing behavior modification from anxiety to aggression. -Interacting with the public ...

Day to day requirements: -Handling and training small and large breeds from puppy to adult. -Working with dogs needing behavior modification from anxiety to aggression. -Interacting with the public ...

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Military Working Dog Trainer information

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How much do military working dog trainer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for military working dog trainer in the United States is $19.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $20.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a military working dog trainer?

Military Working Dog Trainers are professionals responsible for training dogs to perform specific tasks that assist military operations, such as detecting explosives, searching for drugs, tracking individuals, and providing security. These trainers use positive reinforcement and other techniques to teach obedience and specialized skills, ensuring that both the dogs and their handlers work effectively together. In addition to training the dogs, they often instruct military personnel on proper handling and care of the animals. Military Working Dog Trainers play a crucial role in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of military missions.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a military working dog trainer?

To thrive as a Military Working Dog Trainer, you need expertise in animal behavior, canine training techniques, and basic veterinary care, often supported by relevant military or animal training certifications. Familiarity with training aids, obedience programs, and documentation software is typically required. Strong observational skills, patience, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for building trust with the dogs and collaborating with handlers. These abilities ensure effective training outcomes, enhance mission readiness, and promote the well-being of both dogs and handlers.

What are common challenges faced by military working dog trainers during the initial training phases?

Military Working Dog Trainers often encounter challenges such as building trust and communication with new dogs, adapting training methods to suit different breeds and temperaments, and ensuring consistent progress despite the dog's varied learning speeds. Another challenge is acclimating dogs to real-world scenarios, including loud noises and high-stress environments, to prepare them for operational duties. Trainers must also work closely with fellow handlers and veterinary staff to monitor each dog's physical and mental health throughout the training process.

What is the difference between Military Working Dog Trainer vs Police K9 Trainer?

AspectMilitary Working Dog TrainerPolice K9 Trainer
CertificationsMilitary dog training certifications, security clearancesPolice K9 training certifications, law enforcement credentials
Work EnvironmentMilitary bases, combat zones, training facilitiesPolice stations, law enforcement agencies, training grounds
Employer & IndustryMilitary, defense industryLaw enforcement agencies, police departments

Both Military Working Dog Trainers and Police K9 Trainers require specialized certifications and work in environments focused on security and law enforcement. While Military Working Dog Trainers often operate within military settings and may handle combat-ready dogs, Police K9 Trainers focus on training police service dogs for law enforcement tasks. Despite differences in environment and specific duties, both roles share core training skills and certification requirements.

How to become a military working dog trainer?

To become a military working dog trainer, individuals typically need to join the military and complete basic training, followed by specialized training in handling and training working dogs. Relevant skills include animal behavior knowledge, obedience training, and certification in dog handling; some roles also require security clearances and physical fitness standards.
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What cities are hiring for Military Working Dog Trainer jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Military Working Dog Trainer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Military Working Dog Trainer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Military Working Dog Trainer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,348 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

LEAD POLICE OFFICER (MILITARY WORKING DOG)

Air Education and Training Command

On-site, Remote

$58K - $75K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Summary
Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information.
The primary purpose of this position is to serve as Lead Police Officer for the Military Working Dog (MWD) Section. Administers a comprehensive specialized MWD training program to military and civilian teams and conduct on-post evaluations and prepares teams for certifications.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
Continued from Summary:
Interdicts illegal narcotics, explosive devices, and illegal activity on a Federal installation. Supervises MWD demonstrations for the general public to assist in crime prevention. Performs other patrol/detector dog training and duties as assigned. To perform duties as a military working dog trainer responsible for maintaining optimum MWD team readiness, proficiency and preparedness on the installation through the use of training activities, validation and certification processes.
Duties:
  1. Serves as the work leader by planning, organizing, and coordinating the activities of three or more employees. Plans work schedules and sequence of operations to ensure an even flow and distribution of work for assigned shift.
  2. Administers all aspects of the MWD Training program for military working dog teams. Instruction spans the broad spectrum of the MWD arena to include, but not limited to, explosive detector dog, narcotic detector dog, patrol dog, gunfire agitation, pursuit of suspects, attacking/apprehending, guarding, escorting suspects, hand and verbal commands, searching structures with dog on and off leash, and patrolling both on foot and in vehicle.
  3. Serves as Work Leader over subordinate personnel engaged in law enforcement duties for the installation. Responsible for ensuring that shift work assignments are distributed and performed by employees. Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques; provides on-the-job training to new employees; maintains a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc., and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems.

Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • This position is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
  • Disclosure of Political Appointments
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • This position has been identified as a designated position under the Air Force Drug Testing Plan. Incumbents of this position are subject to the possibility of random drug tests.
  • Incumbent must be qualified in the use of required weapons, as the incumbent will be required to use firearms in performing duties.
  • This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 1996) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968.
  • An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
  • he incumbent must pass an initial pre-employment medical examination, periodic medical examinations, required physical fitness/physical agility tests, meet established hearing standards and discern colors, contrast, and depth.
  • The incumbent must immediately report to his supervisor any significant medical threshold shifts in health status and/or medication requirements.
  • The incumbent must have a spleen to optimize the body's infection fighting capability in response to dog bite injuries that may be experienced by the trainer.
  • The incumbent is required to obtain and maintain the required security clearance associated with the position.
  • The incumbent must wear a DAF Police Officer uniform as identified in the DAF Police AFI and required to meet dress and appearance standards when supporting non DoD agencies in accordance with the MWD AFI.
  • The incumbent is required to work an uncommon tour of duty, to include nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, rotating shifts and is subject to no-notice recalls.
  • The incumbent is required to wear protective clothing such as coats, boots, vests and/or chemical protective equipment, (e.g. respirator mask) and MWD-related protective equipment.
  • The incumbent must possess a valid driver's license and be able to operate all Security Forces vehicles and installed equipment.
  • The incumbent is subject to an annual duty position evaluation as well as recurring evaluations as a military working dog team on a pass/fail standard.

Qualifications
Continued from Conditions of Employment:
  • The incumbent must pass formal law enforcement training school as determined by functional; a certificate from a federally recognized Law Enforcement Academy is preferred.
  • The incumbent must be a graduate of an approved DoD military working dog formal training course or other federal agency-level working dog course that has been preapproved, in writing, by the career field functional manager and fulfilled duties as a MWD handler for at least 18 months meet the mandated experience prerequisite to attend the DoD MWD kennel master course to be a MWD trainer.
  • The incumbent must be a prior graduate of the 341st TRS MWD kennel master course or must hold the requisite 18 months of MWD handler experience and successfully complete the course within 90 days of appointment as a MWD trainer.
  • The incumbent must maintain a state of MWD team readiness, proficiency and preparedness to participate in no-notice or short-notice on or off installation MWD taskings supporting the DoD, other federal agencies and civil law enforcement organizations.
  • The incumbent will be exposed to the day-to-day dangers associated with law enforcement, security, military working dog trainer duties and potential hazards associated with MWD training.
  • The incumbent is required to obtain first responder training/certifications required in CPR techniques, self-aid buddy care, first aid and MWD first aid on a recurring basis.
  • Recurring training is required to keep the incumbent knowledgeable on the updated specialized tactics, techniques and procedures necessary for preparation and response to catastrophic events, terrorist attacks and related threats to installations.
  • The incumbent is required to have the ability to employ 'infantry/SWAT' small unit tactics involving fire and maneuver, with rapid advancing movement between defensive positions, while wearing protective gear for extended periods of time, (e.g. employing "Active Shooter" response tactics and techniques as a member of a small team is required).
  • This is a Mission Essential (ME) position performing a Mission Critical Function (MCF) which must continue uninterrupted after the occurrence of an emergency and continued through full resumption of all functions. IAW DoDI 3020- 42, Defense Continuity Programs.

Qualifications:
This is a Term position NTE 24 Months; the individual selected for this position may be extended without further competition. Current Federal civilian employees may apply for this position using "Reinstatement" eligibility and if selected, a break in service of at least 3 calendar days may be required prior to appointment to this position.
In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Police Officer 0083 series.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which includes knowledge of standardized federal laws, regulations, methods, procedures, operating techniques, military instructions, state, and local laws to perform tasks including, but not limited to pursuing and apprehending persons fleeing a crime scene or attempting to resist arrest; identifying and arresting violators based on eyewitness accounts; performing dispatcher duties involving passing of directions and information to officers on patrol assignments; seeking, detecting, and protecting evidence and witnesses at the scene of an incident; detaining witnesses and suspects; and making arrests and performing booking procedures.; and knowledge of requirements of Military Working Dog (MWD) training, utilization and performance issues and maintains a detailed record of training and utilization of the team to include the number of checks, searches, responses and drug or explosive items found by the team in the course of performing official duties or training.
FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-08 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:
  1. Knowledge of military working dog procedures, training requirements and operating methods required to train military working dog handler to perform their full range of police officer.
  2. Knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques for functioning as a quick reaction force team member in support of integrated base defense of the operation of weapons and utilization of a military working dog.
  3. Knowledge of special operating requirements, methods, and procedures for enforcing access controls and preventing unauthorized access to areas where stringent security requirements are enforced.
  4. Knowledge of the rights of detained individuals and organizational rules regarding the appropriate use of force to be used in carrying out official duties.
  5. Knowledge of the tactics, techniques, and procedures necessary for preparation and response to catastrophic events attacks, and other related threats to the installations.
  6. Ability to establish priorities, monitor work flow, make adjustments in work assignments, provide on-the-job training and guidance, and provide feedback and instructions from supervisor.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.
VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location.
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.
Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position.
Temporary and Term Appointments: If you are selected for a temporary or term position in the competitive service, your appointment may be extended to the maximum period allowed by law without further competition.
120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.
Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist.
Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to