Resume

K9 Handler Resume Example & Writing Guide

Use this K9 Handler resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.

K9 handlers are responsible for training and caring for police dogs, as well as handling their day-to-day operations. They’re also responsible for handling any issues that arise, like behavioral problems or medical emergencies.

If you’re interested in joining the police force but aren’t sure where to start, a K9 handler position could be a great place to begin your career. Here are some tips and an example resume to help you write an effective K9 handler resume that hiring managers will love.

James Smith
Houston, TX | (123) 456-7891 | [email protected]
Summary

Highly skilled K9 handler with 10+ years of experience in the military and law enforcement. Proven ability to lead teams of K9 officers in the detection and apprehension of criminals. Exceptionally knowledgeable in the use of K9 training methods and equipment.

Education
James Madison High School Jun '08
High School Diploma
Experience
Company A, K9 Handler Jan '17 – Current
  • Handled a patrol dog and patrolled the city streets to detect criminal activity, apprehend criminals, or locate missing persons.
  • Trained with K9 partner in obedience training and detection work for narcotics, explosives, firearms, etc.
  • Performed other duties as assigned by supervisor such as but not limited to: traffic control at accident scenes; crowd control during special events; assisted officers on various calls for service including felonies and misdemeanors.
  • Assisted with community relations projects within the community such as school presentations about safety awareness and crime prevention techniques.
  • Maintained a high level of professionalism both on-duty and off-duty that reflects well upon the Department and myself while interacting with citizens, co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, elected officials and external partners/stakeholders.
Company B, K9 Handler Jan '12 – Dec '16
  • Trained new K9 officers in the care and handling of police dogs, including safety procedures and obedience commands
  • Supervised patrol operations that included tracking criminals with bloodhounds or trailing suspects using scent articles
  • Conducted security sweeps for explosives at public events such as concerts and sporting events
  • Maintained a clean kennel environment by regularly cleaning dog bedding and feeding dishes
  • Followed up on leads from evidence collected during searches to apprehend wanted fugitives
Company C, K9 Trainer Jan '09 – Dec '11
  • Evaluated potential service dogs for suitability and health.
  • Developed and implemented training programs for service dogs in accordance with client needs.
  • Instructed clients in the proper care and handling of their service dogs.
Certifications
  • United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Police Dog Handler Certification
  • Handler of Narcotics Detection Dogs
  • Handler of Bomb/Explosives Detection Dogs
Skills

Industry Knowledge: Canine Behavior, Canine Training, Canine Health
Technical Skills: Canine Behavior, Canine Health, Canine Training, Canine CPR, Canine First Aid, Canine Leash, Canine Bite Studies
Soft Skills: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Teamwork, Communication, Empathy, Leadership

How to Write a K9 Handler Resume

Here’s how to write a k9 handler resume of your own.

Write Compelling Bullet Points

Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters and hiring managers will read. And they’re the best way to showcase your experience and qualifications.

So rather than just listing your responsibilities, you can use bullet points to describe the results of your work. For example, rather than saying you “provided security for events,” you could say you “provided security for 10+ events each weekend, ensuring the safety of more than 10,000 attendees.”

The second bullet point paints a clearer picture of the scope of your work and the number of people you impacted. And it also provides a quantifiable result—10,000+ attendees—which makes it easier for the reader to understand your level of involvement.

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you apply for a job as a K9 handler, your resume is likely to be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. These programs look for specific terms related to the position, like “canine behavior” or “tracking skills” to determine whether you have the right skills and experience for the job. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, your application might not make it past the initial screening process.

The best way to make sure you include the right keywords on your K9 handler resume is to think about the most important skills and qualities that employers are looking for and try to work them into your resume. Here are some common keywords for K9 handler positions:

  • Law Enforcement
  • Criminal Investigations
  • Criminal Justice
  • Firearms Handling
  • Public Safety
  • Homeland Security
  • Police
  • Evidence Collection
  • Investigation
  • Criminal Law
  • Patrol
  • Interrogation
  • Community Policing
  • Credibility Assessment
  • Dog Handling
  • Dispatching
  • Physical Security
  • Surveillance
  • Private Investigations
  • Patrol Operations
  • Police K9
  • K9
  • Police Training
  • Security
  • K-9 Handling
  • Police Canine
  • Narcotics
  • Tactical Training
  • Emergency Response
  • Interpersonal Skills

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a K9 handler, you will be working with a variety of different technologies in order to effectively train and care for your dog. Some of the programs and systems that you will need to be familiar with include:

– Training software: This software is used to help you track your dog’s progress and ensure that they are meeting all of their training goals.

– Health tracking software: This software is used to track your dog’s health data, including their weight, food intake, and exercise levels.

– GPS tracking: This technology is used to track your dog’s location and ensure that they are safe at all times.

– Communication systems: This technology is used to communicate with your dog while they are working, and can include things like radios and earpieces.

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