Canine Corporal - Full-time

About the Department

A K9 Deputy is responsible for training their dog in detection, tracking, and searching. One of the most important duties of a K9 Deputy is that they must be extremely accurate and articulate in their record keeping. A K9 Deputy must also be professional and well-versed in public relations. They are required to act as a goodwill ambassador to the community. A K9 Deputy must be extremely patient and immensely sensitive to dogs/animals. The K9 Deputy’s safety is directly dependent upon the many hours of training spent with their canine partner. The living environment must be adequate to satisfy the proper care of the canine.

Position Duties

• Attend and successfully complete a basic K9 Academy
• Will be assigned to the Lubbock Texas Anti-Gang Center
• Attend and successfully complete the yearly K9 Re-Certification course when necessary
• Attend and successfully complete specialized training provided by outside entities such as EPIC, DEA, and Desert Snow which keeps K9 Deputies current on drug trends and interdiction updates.
• Perform, investigate, work, gather evidence, prepare reports and paperwork for
• presentation to the DA’s Office
• Seize assets in drug related cases.
• A K9 Deputy and the dog will assist the SWAT team as necessary.
• Subject to be on call 24 hours / 7 days a week or as rotation mandates.
• Make appearances throughout the community and visit schools during the school year.
• Review crime reports as requested by other Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office employees.
• Make drug presentations for schools, businesses, and other groups.
• Perform undercover operations.
• A K9 Deputy will be required to assist other handlers with their K9s during times of illness, vacation, or any emergency that may require said assistance.
• Investigates Citizen Complaints about illegal activities.
• Conducts street-level interdiction activities focused on gang and narcotic activities.
• Collects intelligence information related to street gangs, prison gangs, drug cartels, and other criminal organizations.
• Documents members of street and prison gangs and enters information into TX GANG
• and other gang databases.
• Monitors and serves outstanding warrants on prison and street gang members.
• Testifies as an expert in State and Federal District Court on gang-related offenses.
• Responds to scenes to assist other divisions and agencies on gang-related offenses.
• Maintains a working relationship with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Recruit and manage confidential informants.
• Prepare investigative reports and present them to The District Attorney’s Office and the
  United States Attorney’s Office.
• File cases with the District Attorney’s Office.
• File cases with the United States Attorney’s Office and assist with federal investigations
  and prosecutions
• Assist the District Attorney’s Office in preparing cases for Grand Jury and trial as needed.
• Assist other divisions, sections, or personnel as needed or directed.
• Prepare complaints for arrest warrants.
• Obtain and serve search and arrest warrants, including seizing property, locating suspects and taking them into custody.
• Maintain ledger and receipts for all expenditures as they pertain to evidence and
  “obtainment” monies.
• Plan and participate in THE EXECUTION OF WARRANTS.
• Collect and secure evidence, maintaining a chain of custody.
• Take still photographs.
• Utilize video photography.
• Maintain intelligence information on narcotics traffickers, street and prison gang members, and drug trafficking organizations operating in the West Texas area.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: High school diploma or GED. Basic peace Officer certification plus at least three years of experience and one year of street experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. K9 Deputies must be able to obtain the DEA narcotics License within one year of appointment.

Other Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of laws of arrest and search and seizure; narcotics laws; all varieties and aspects of narcotics; department policies and procedures; and computers. Ability to operate computers; write reports, letters, and memos; read reports, letters, and memos; prepare and execute search and arrest warrants; handle informants and information received; make group presentations; perform investigative work; safely handle firearms; analyze data; interpret policies and procedures; Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and personnel of other law enforcement agencies. Maintain proficiency in the operation of traffic RADAR.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Basic Peace Officer Certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to fingers, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; bend and kneel; and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds, such as books and stacks of records, and occasionally must lift and/or move objects weighing 100 pounds or more. The employee may be occasionally called upon to perform acts of intense physical exertion during emergency situations. Special vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to complete a one-mile run in under 12:30 minutes, complete 20 push-ups in one minute, and 20 sit-ups in one minute.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment can be moderate to loud and the Deputy is required to work in an outside environment.

DISCLAIMER: The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the standard functions of this position and should not be constructed as a thorough description of all work requirements. The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Equal Employment Employer: Lubbock County will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.