Mine Detecting Dog (MDD) Trainer

Position Overview and Primary Responsibilities:

The Mine Detecting Dog (MDD) Trainer and Technical Advisor (TA) will assist in advising, training and overseeing the MDD aspects of the US State Department’s Weapons Removal and Abatement (WRA) Program. He/she will report to a Senior Demining TA and be prepared to oversee the following areas: teaching both classroom and practical exercises in order to correctly train MDDs, MDD Handlers, and MDD Supervisors; ensuring that all MDDs meet International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) 09.40 and are correctly certified and accredited; understanding of a dog’s capability when operating in an integrated mine clearance operation’s role and ensuring that handlers are using the full potential of the dogs in technical survey, area reduction, and clearance.


Required Experience:

•At least three years of recent MDD experience some, if not all, of which was in training capacity in United Nations (UN) accredited or coordinated humanitarian mine action (HMA) programs
•Familiarity with US Government and UN demining and explosive remnants of war programs and guidelines, in particular the IMAS
•An understanding of integrated HMA projects - incorporating MDD and mechanical equipment with manual demining operations
•Cultural awareness, sensitivity and responsiveness to local environments
REQUIREMENTS
Desirable Special Knowledge or Skills:

•Operational demining experience in manual or mechanical demining techniques in multiple countries
•Familiarity with Quality Management programs, such as ISO 9001:2001 or Six Sigma
•Familiarity with the use of the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA), is desirable
•Additionally, since a cornerstone of US Government WRA programs is capacity building, experience in providing instruction in technical subjects (e.g., demolitions) to foreign personnel, would also be helpful
•Experience working in developing countries in remote locations, austere living conditions and challenging environments, would be beneficial and advantageous