Police Officer (DCJS LE Certified) - K9 Handler - City of Fredericksburg

Position Summary:
The Fredericksburg Police Department is accepting applications for the position of Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement certified Police Officer. This is a full time law enforcement position. This certified officer will be hired to fill a K9 Handler vacancy; K9 Handler training will be provided at no cost to the applicant. Under general supervision, Officers perform general law enforcement work in order to preserve the public peace, to protect lives, property, and the rights of the public. A police officer enforces statutory laws and municipal ordinances. Work involves patrolling of City streets, River Bank, City Parks and neighborhoods to deter crime; apprehend and/or arrest violators or suspects; responds to calls for law enforcement assistance; investigates traffic accidents and enforce traffic regulations; and gathers information for criminal investigations.  A police officer also assures appropriate custody and control of prisoners, and attends court and mandatory off duty details. The Fredericksburg Police Department utilizes K9 teams to provide support and specialized services within the City of Fredericksburg and surrounding jurisdictions. In addition to being a proven psychological deterrent to crime, K9’s assist with locating offenders, recovering evidence and improving officer safety. In additional to normal patrol duties, the K9 Handler will provide daily care for the K9 which includes feeding, watering, exercising, kennel/vehicle cleaning, grooming, transporting to and from veterinary care, provide required medications, etc. The K9 Handler will also maintain their assigned K9 partner at required certification levels, attend bi-monthly training sessions under direction of a certified trainer, train with their K9 partner regularly, complete, and maintain in an organized manner all reports for IBR and training, provide public demonstrations, and should and willing to respond when needed during non-working hours  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current Virginia DCJS Law Enforcement Certification;
• Minimum of two years’ experience as a Virginia DCJS Certified Law Enforcement Officer;
• K9 Handler experience preferred, but not required;
• 21 years of age;
• United States Citizen;
• Possess a valid driver’s license;
• High School Diploma or GED;
• One year of work experience involving public contact;
• No more than two moving violations within previous 24 months;
• No record of convictions within previous 60 months for DUI, eluding, leaving the scene of an accident or vehicular manslaughter;
• No record of 2nd or subsequent DUI;
• No current or previous revocations of suspension of license within previous 60 months due to a moving violation;
• Not have been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to a felony or any offense that would be a felony if committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia;
• Not have been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to a Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or any offense that would be any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to petit larceny under 18.2-96, or any offense involving moral turpitude that would be a misdemeanor if committed in the Commonwealth of Virginia;
• Not have been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to any misdemeanor sex offense in the Commonwealth of Virginia, another state, or the United States, including but not limited to sexual battery under 18.2-67.4 or consensual sexual intercourse with a minor 15 or older under clause (ii) of 18.2-371;
• Not have been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to domestic assault under 18.2-57.2, or any offense that would be domestic assault under the laws of another state or the United States;
• Undergo a background investigation including fingerprint-based criminal history records inquiries to both the CCRE and FBI;
• Polygraph examination;
• Panel interview with K9 staff;
• Panel interview with Senior Command staff;
• Undergo a physical examination, subsequent to a conditional offer of employment;
• Pass initial screening physical agility/ability test (LawFit) and be in good physical condition;
• Not have produced a positive result on a pre-employment drug screening.

Special Requirements:

• Applicants are required to commit to the K9 Unit for a minimum of 4 years;
• Applicants who use tobacco products must agree to abstain from use of any tobacco product while on-duty or working with their K9 (no tobacco use while on duty, at training, or when taking care of the K9’s daily needs); 
• K9 handlers are required to house their assigned K9 at their private residence in a permanently installed, outdoor kennel and run.  The kennel and run fencing is provided at no cost to the handler on a one-time basis unless otherwise approved by the Chief of Police.  Applicants must check for eligibility with all special restrictions below through their homeowners association (if applicable) and city/county ordinances. 
• Residence Restrictions: Applicants must reside in a private, single-family, detached home within 30 miles of Fredericksburg Police Headquarters;
  • Applicants must agree to continue living in a private home meeting all special restrictions for the duration of their assignment to the K9 Unit; 
  • Applicants will have their residence approved by the Patrol Division  Commander or designee;
  • Applicants must install K9 warning signs at the front of their property, at each fence access point, and on the K9 kennel.

 

• • Kennel/Run Restrictions:
    • Applicants are required to allow installation of a concrete pad on their property (minimum 11’x11’), a 6’ tall, chain-linked kennel, with roof, secured to the concrete pad, and a 6’ tall privacy fence at least 20’x20’ around their kennel area (if 6’ tall security fence is not already around yard).

• The handler(s) will be responsible for the housing and maintenance of their assigned K9 starting 30 or more days prior to the first day of a K9 school.  The team will have to attend and complete a physically demanding school that lasts up to 14 weeks.   The dates, times, and locations will be released once a school is chosen.

Interested applicants must submit a full resume with the City application by 11:59 p.m. December 16, 2024. Applications and additional information may be found on the City’s web page:  https://www.fredericksburgva.gov/216/Employment

The City of Fredericksburg provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
 

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