Quarantine Officer- Detector Dog Handler | Auckland MPI Centre

Job Description

Detector Dog Handler/ Quarantine Officer

Role type: Permanent

Location: Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland)

Starting Salary: $67,407

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are looking for a dog handler to join our world class detector dog programme!

In this role, you will be trained as a Quarantine Officer, however this role will also include responsibilities as a Dog Handler.

Quarantine Officers ensure that cargo and passengers entering New Zealand are free of biosecurity risk. Quarantine Officers lead New Zealand's biosecurity system at the front line - international airports, ports, mail centres, and cargo facilities. As a Dog Handler, you will work with a specially trained dog as part of a team helping to detect risk products. You will be responsible for the dog's care and continued training.

You will need to be comfortable working on your own as well as part of a high performing team. You need to be able to communicate effectively with the public and always maintain a professional demeanour.

You will be required to work on a shift roster. 

The recruitment and training process for this role involves:

• Undergo an assessment of compatibility with a dog.
• Pass an agility and fitness test.
• Undergo a competency-based interview as part of a Quarantine Officer Assessment Centre.
• Attend and pass up to 8 weeks dog handling training in Auckland.
• Attend training to become a Warranted MPI Quarantine Officer.

What the Job Offers - He aha te mahi e tuku

• A programme that mixes both classroom theory and on-the-job training.
• Clear career progression path from Officer to Senior to Chief for those prepared to put in extra effort with development and leadership opportunities to reach these goals.
• Join a high-performing team that is passionate about their job, compelled to protect New Zealand, and living MPI's values.
• A great salary with benefits and allowances as you progress.
• The chance to join to diverse and supportive team of officers across New Zealand.

About You - Mōu

We're looking for passionate, self-motivated people who enjoy a range of tasks, worksites, and varied work. You will have great initiative, drive for results, and be adaptable to new situations. Ideally you will have a background in an animal related industry.

To be successful in this role, you will:

• Be fit and healthy as you will be standing for periods of time.
• Enjoy working indoors and outdoors.
• Have strong communication skills (oral and written) and ability to create strong relationships with stakeholders.
• High level of computer literacy.
• An interest or qualification in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, botany, or environmental science.
• Hold a full NZ drivers' licence.
• You may have work experience in a life science or similar industry.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit. 

About the Team  - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

Our Detector Dog Programme has dog teams based in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Dunedin. Dog Handlers are deployed at international airports, the International Mail Centre in Auckland, cruise ships and yachts, and some cargo pathways.

We are part of the Border Clearance Services directorate within the Biosecurity New Zealand business unit. We help protect New Zealand's natural environment, primary industries, and people against exotic pests and diseases. It is accountable for ensuring the delivery of sustainable and effective frontline biosecurity clearance services at the border for imported goods, craft, mail, passengers, crew, and transitional facilities.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

We're a large organisation with massive scope from the frontline to policy development and beyond.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Annual Wellness payment.
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames.
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes.

Low level Security Clearance

• is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years.
• a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

**Only New Zealand Permanent Residents and Citizens can be considered for the position. If you are a New Zealand Permanent resident, please upload a copy of your visa during the application process**.

If you do not meet these requirements your application will not be considered.

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your whakapapa; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at midnight on Midnight, 7 April 2025.  

If you have any questions about the role, please email Melissa.Heaney@mpi.govt.nz 

The application process will include the completion of an online application, online questionnaire and uploading of your CV and cover letter, so please allow approximately 30 minutes to submit your application. 

**If successful in application process, you must be able to attend a Dog Assessment Centre on either 14,15,16 or 17 April 2025 AND a Quarantine Officer Assessment Centre on 23 April, if offered the position, you must be able to start on 2^nd June 2025.  

Follow MPI here - Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei

Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, X