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Police Dog Kennel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Animal Control Facility Seasonal Kennel Assistant Hourly Rate: $22.63/hr Dept: Police, Location ... Must be reliable, dependable and have knowledge of dogs, cats, other domestic animals, including ...

Seasonal Kennel Assistant

CT · On-site

$22.63/hr

Seasonal Kennel Assistant Hourly Rate: $22.63/hr Dept: Police, Location: Animal Control Facility ... Must be reliable, dependable and have knowledge of dogs, cats, other domestic animals, including ...

K9 Handler

Newark, DE · On-site

$17.25 - $21/hr

... police canine on the property. A property selected to house an Andy Frain working dog shall be such that will accommodate a kennel and include flooring which shall be constructed of building ...

Experienced K9 Handler

Mclean, VA · On-site

$16.75 - $19.75/hr

... police canine on the property. A property selected to house an Andy Frain working dog shall be such that will accommodate a kennel and include flooring which shall be constructed of building ...

... dog as a certified handler/team. Responsibilities * Protect U.S. Army personnel, facilities ... Maintain kennel facilities and ensure compliance with applicable canine care standards.

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Police Dog Kennel information

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$8

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How much do police dog kennel jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for police dog kennel in the United States is $17.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.18 and $19.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a police dog kennel?

Police dog kennels are specialized facilities designed to house, care for, and train police dogs, also known as K9s. These kennels provide secure, comfortable accommodations for working dogs when they are not on duty. They are staffed by handlers and kennel workers responsible for the dogs’ daily needs, including feeding, exercise, grooming, and medical care. Proper kennel management ensures that police dogs remain healthy, well-trained, and ready to assist law enforcement in tasks such as search and rescue, detection, and apprehension.

What are the main challenges faced by staff working in a police dog kennel, and how can they be managed?

Staff working in a police dog kennel often face challenges such as maintaining the health and well-being of highly trained working dogs, managing strict hygiene standards, and handling dogs with different temperaments and training needs. Effective communication with handlers and law enforcement officers is essential to coordinate training schedules and ensure each dog's readiness for duty. To manage these challenges, kennel staff should stay updated on best practices in animal care, participate in ongoing training, and foster a collaborative team environment to support both canine and human colleagues.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a police dog kennel technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Police Dog Kennel Technician, you generally need experience in animal care, knowledge of canine behavior, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with kennel management software, cleaning equipment, and sometimes certifications in animal handling or first aid are commonly required. Strong attention to detail, reliability, and effective communication are vital soft skills for ensuring animal welfare and collaborating with law enforcement handlers. These competencies are essential for maintaining the health, safety, and readiness of police dogs, which directly supports public safety operations.

What is the difference between Police Dog Kennel vs Police K9 Handler?

AspectPolice Dog KennelPolice K9 Handler
CertificationsBasic animal care, kennel managementPolice K9 certification, handler training
Work EnvironmentKennel facilities, animal care areasOn patrol, training sites, crime scenes
Job RoleMaintains and cares for police dogs in kennelsWorks directly with police dogs in field operations

The main difference is that a Police Dog Kennel focuses on caring for and managing police dogs in a kennel setting, while a Police K9 Handler actively works with police dogs during patrols and investigations. Both roles require animal handling skills, but the handler role involves active deployment in law enforcement activities.

More about Police Dog Kennel jobs
Infographic showing various Police Dog Kennel job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,751 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

LEAD POLICE OFFICER (MILITARY WORKING DOG)

US Department of the Air Force

Montgomery, AL • On-site

$58K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

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.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.Employment Type: OTHER