Job Details

Salary : $79,042.00 - $91,689.00 Annually
Location : Denton, TX
Job Type: Full-Time Non-Exempt
Job Number: 26-005
Department: Sheriff - PR_6016 - Operations
Opening Date: 01/13/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Description
The K-9 Handler performs law enforcement work to include the care of a police K-9. Work involves patrolling the County in an official vehicle to deter crime, secure evidence, apprehend violators or suspects and prepare prosecution of criminal offenders. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary according to areas of assignment. Employee is subject to the usual hazards of general law enforcement work.
Examples of Duties
Enforces all the laws of the state and applicable federal laws.

Performs a variety of investigative work; collecting evidence, conducting interviews and following up on leads.

Assist with instructing Canine Encounters training courses to certified law enforcement officers.

Attends court and presents evidence and testimony as necessary.

Cares for and maintains police K-9 in compliance with customs, practices, policies, and law pertaining to the utilization of a K-9 in a law enforcement role.

Trains K-9 and documents K-9 training, and provides court room testimony as a result of K-9 assisted investigations.

Provides an environment for the K-9 that places a priority on the health and safety of the K-9 and the community at large.

Regular and punctual attendance is required.

Performs other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Must be a U.S. citizen.

Certification as a Peace Officer in the State of Texas required. Depending on area of assignment, other certifications and licenses may be required.

Possession of a valid driver's license. Must be able to obtain a State of Texas driver's license within 90 days.

Must be able to pass a State Criminal History background check.

High School Diploma or GED and a minimum of three years of patrol experience; or an equivalent combination of patrol experience, education and related experience required.

Completion of some college level course work preferred.

Must reside in an adequately fenced, single-family residence (minimum 5-foot high fence with locking gates)
Supplemental Information

To ensure proper delivery of emails please add to your email safe list.
Denton County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees, retirees, and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical and dental coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life; disability, and long term care insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements. The County also provides retirement benefits. Full time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these "basic employee benefits" and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 12 paid holidays, Tuition Reimbursement, a Wellness Program, and more.

*Note: These benefits are not included for Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees, or any Denton County Part-Time employee.

Denton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, mental or physical disability, age, national origin or veteran status.
Family Medical Leave: Denton County employees who have been employed for one year and who have worked 1250 hours in the preceding year may be eligible for up to twelve weeks of FMLA leave.
The FMLA provides for up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave

• for the birth, adoption, or placement of a child for foster care
• to care for a child, spouse, or parent with a serious health condition
• for an employee with a serious health condition

Employees who will be away from work for one of these reasons should contact Human Resources for additional information. When possible, an employee should provide at least 30 days advance notice. In the case of an emergency, notification should be made as soon as possible.
01

Failure to accept the acknowledgment statement below can result in your employment application being rejected for failure to meet the minimum qualifications as stated in the job posting. Your application for this employment opportunity will not be reconsidered if you fail to abide by the statements below.COMPLETED APPLICATION ACKNOWLEDGMENT: I hereby acknowledge that I must complete ALL sections of the employment application, to include the supplemental questions. I understand that failure to enter all relevant work experience in the work history section of the application will result in the rejection of my employment application. I understand that to knowingly make or cause to be made any false statement, omission, or misrepresentation of a material fact in any application, and/or its supplemental questions shall be grounds for termination. I also understand that I must provide at least THREE references in the "REFERENCES" section of the application. Furthermore, I acknowledge that Denton County does NOT accept resumes in lieu of completed applications. Please enter your initials and today's date as acceptance of this acknowledgment. If you do not accept this acknowledgment, please understand that your application will be rejected.
02

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• yes
• No

03

Please indicate the highest level of education obtained

• No High School Diploma or GED
• General Equivalency Diploma
• High School Diploma
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

04

How many credit hours have you earned at an accredited college or university?This should include hours earned from completion of a degree, hours earned towards a degree, and/or hours earned but not in conjunction with a degree.

• No College Credit - 14 Credit Hours
• 15-29 Credit Hours
• 30-44 Credit Hours
• 45-59 Credit Hours
• 60-89 Credit Hours
• 90-119 Credit Hours
• 120-149 Credit Hours
• 150-179 Credit Hours
• 180-209 Credit Hours
• 210-239 Credit Hours
• 240-269 Credit Hours
• 270-299 Credit Hours
• 300-329 Credit Hours
• 330-359 Credit Hours
• 360-389 Credit Hours
• 390 Credit Hours or more

05

I acknowledge that I must provide the Denton County Human Resources Department with an OFFICIAL transcript confirming hours completed as indicated in the question above, should an employment opportunity be offered and accepted. Please enter your initials and today's date as acknowledgment. If you did not indicate completion of credit hours, please enter N/A.
06

Please select the years of fulltime experience you have in Law Enforcement: NOTE: YOU MUST COMPLETE THE WORK HISTORY SECTION OF THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION TO INCLUDE THE VERIFIABLE FULLTIME EQUIVALENT YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS INDICATED OR BE DISQUALIFIED.

• Less Than 6 Months
• At least 6 Months, but less than 1 Year
• 1 Year
• At least 1 Year 6 months, but less than 2 years
• 2 Years
• 3 Years
• 4 Years
• 5 Years
• 6 Years
• 7 Years
• 8 Years
• 9 Years
• 10 years
• 11 Years
• 12 years
• 13 Years
• 14 Years
• 15 Years or more

07

Are you currently licensed as a Peace Officer in the State of Texas?

• Yes
• No

08

What is the highest State of Texas Peace Officer certification you currently hold?The certification you select below must be valid and current

• No Current State of Texas Peace Officer Certification
• Basic - State of Texas Peace Officer Certification
• Intermediate - State of Texas Peace Officer Certification
• Advanced - State of Texas Peace Officer Certification
• Master - State of Texas Peace Officer Certification

09

Have you EVER been arrested?

• Yes
• No

10

Have you ever been detained by law enforcement?

• Yes
• No

11

Have you ever had a criminal case dismissed?

• Yes
• No

12

Have you EVER been indicted, criminally charged, or convicted of any misdemeanor or felony offense in this state or in any other legal jurisdiction (including offenses punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice)?

• Yes
• No

13

Are you presently involved in any criminal proceedings, civil, felony or misdemeanor, excluding minor traffic violations (i.e. required to appear in court and/or pay a fine, pay probationary fees, on probation, involved in a pre-trail diversion program)?

• Yes
• No

14

Have you ever been convicted of any charge that would prevent you from legally possessing a firearm or ammunition?

• Yes
• No

15

If you have answered yes, to any of the previous six questions, please provide the following information: List the date of arrest and/or conviction, the type of arrest and/or conviction (describe the nature of the offense- felony or misdemeanor), and the disposition (jail/prison, probation, reduced charge, dismissed, pre-trail diversion, statute expiration) for each offense. If you responded no to all of the previous six questions, please enter, N/A.
16

Have you EVER previously submitted an application for the Denton County Sheriff's office?

• Yes
• No

17

If you answered yes to the previous question, please list all positions that you have applied for with the Denton County Sheriff's office.If you responded no to the previous question, please enter N/A.
18

Are you a U.S. citizen?

• Yes
• No

19

Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

20

Please provide your:Driver's License #: Failure to provide valid driver's license information will automatically disqualify you for this employment opportunity.
21

Please provide the State of Issuance for the driver's license # provided in the previous question: Failure to provide valid driver's license information will automatically disqualify you for this employment opportunity.
22

Please provide the Expiration Date for the driver's license # previously provided: Failure to provide valid driver's license information will automatically disqualify you for this employment opportunity.
23

List any and all former names, including nicknames, that you have gone byPlease enter N/A if this question is not applicable.
24

Where did you hear about this position?

• Denton Record Chronicle
• Governmentjobs.com
• Monster.com
• Indeed
• Craigslist
• Facebook
• Other

25

If you selected "Other" in the previous question, please specify how you were referred to this position.
26

Should you be selected for an interview, you will receive an email with all the necessary information for scheduling and attending your interview. Please see the acknowledgment below.Failure to accept the acknowledgment statement below can delay the processing of your application. By acknowledging the statement you understand you are responsible for checking your email address provided during online application registration, for information pertaining to potential interviews for this job posting. To ensure proper delivery of emails please add ...@dentoncounty.gov to your email safe list. INTERVIEW ACKNOWLEDGMENT: I hereby acknowledge that all interviews for this vacancy, will be communicated via email. Please enter your initials and today's date as acceptance of this acknowledgment. If you do not accept this acknowledgment, please enter N/A.)
27

I understand that no employment contract either expressed or implied is created should I be hired by Denton County. I understand that I will be required to pass a drug/alcohol and/or physical examination prior to employment. I also understand that if I am a new employee, I will be required to complete a twelve (12) month probationary period. I give my consent to Denton County to conduct a background investigation including contacting any current and/or previous institutional employers, reference checks, criminal searches, and verification of credentials. Please enter your initials and today's date as acceptance of this acknowledgment. If you do not accept this acknowledgment, please understand that your application will be rejected.
Required Question