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Puppy Program Instructor Job Description

Overview

Become part of the Can Do Canines pack! Can Do Canines is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs. The dogs are provided to the client at no charge. The organization is supported primarily by donations from individuals, corporations, service clubs, and foundations. We receive no government funding.

Job Summary: Provide education and support to Puppy Program volunteers to carry out the mission of the organization
Salary: Non-Exempt, Hourly, $18-21 per hour (depending on experience). Eligible for Health and Dental Insurance, 403(b), Paid Time Off (PTO)
Hours Required: Minimum 40 Hours per week, including occasional weekend and evening hours
Deadline: Open until filled

Relationships

Reports to: Training Manager
Positions Supervised: Frequent supervision of volunteers
Frequent Interactions With: Puppy Program Specialist, Prison Program Manager, Breeding Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Receptionist

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Work with volunteer puppy raisers and host home providers to arrange for host homes for dogs in training as needed.*
  2. Update tracking, training, and behavior records to ensure proper documentation is kept on all dogs in the program.*
  3. Create and maintain volunteer records, including qualifications, tracking, and training.
  4. Communicate expectations about Puppy Program to volunteers.*
  5. Lead a variety of training opportunities.*
  6. Ensure completion of orientation, home visits, and public access training as needed, either by conducting training or coordinating volunteers to do so.*
  7. Assist in the design and implementation of training opportunities.
  8. Contribute to the creation, review, and updates to program standards.
  9. Ensure staff availability for accepting and releasing dogs from the kennel.
  10. Other duties as assigned.
    *Denotes essential functions of this position

Required Qualifications

Experience

Knowledge of assistance dog training, teaching dog behavior and handling skills to others, and volunteer relations. These qualifications are generally obtained from five or more years of related work experience. This position requires coaching students to reach their full potential, the use of a telephone and computer to perform work, experience and ease in public speaking within groups and a one-to-one basis, and the ability to perform work without close supervision. A valid driver’s license and insurability are required.

Experience in working with animal rescue organizations and client relations, and knowledge of Assistance Dog International (ADI) regulations, are preferred.

Last but not least, you must love dogs. Even if you don’t have one or more of your own, you should genuinely enjoy our canine companions, along with their wet kisses, occasional vocalizations throughout the facility, and hair that will accessorize your clothes.

Education

Associate’s degree and five or more years of related experience, bachelor’s degree and or three or more years of related work experience, or ten or more years of experience, or reasonable variation of the above.

How to Apply

Please email your COVER LETTER (required) and RESUME to hr@candocanines.org.
In the subject line list: Your last name, your first name; Puppy Program Instructor

Phone calls and video resumes will not be accepted.

 

Expected Working Conditions** for This Position Frequency

1. Exposure to dog and cat dander: Daily
2. Exposure to dog and cat feces: Regularly
3. Work directly with dogs: Regularly
4. Exposure to cleaning chemicals: Rarely
5. Use cleaning tools: mops, brooms, floor “Zamboni”, floor buffer, vacuum cleaner, etc.: Rarely
6. Work outdoors: Rarely
7. Work in public environment, sometimes in retail: Rarely
8. Work in prison environment: Rarely
9. Work in office environment: Daily
10. Perform work using a computer: Daily
11. Heavy lifting, up to 30 pounds: Occasionally
12. Heavy lifting, 30 pounds or more: Occasionally
13. Stoop, crawl, kneel, rise from a prone or kneeling position: Frequently
14. Sit for long periods of time: Frequently
15. Stand for long periods of time: Frequently
16. Work in small or cramped spaces: Rarely
17. Perform work using a telephone: Daily
18. Work with clients: Never
19. Work with parties external to the organization: Frequently
20. Work with volunteers: Daily
21. Drive organizational vehicles: Regularly
22. Handle checks, cash, credit card transactions: Frequently
23. Public Speaking: Never

Working Conditions Guidelines

Daily = Daily
Frequently = Weekly
Regularly = Monthly
Occasionally = Quarterly to Bi-Annually
Rarely = Annually
Never = Never

**Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (the "ADA") requires an employer to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment, unless to do so would cause undue hardship. "In general, an accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables an individual with a disability to enjoy equal employment opportunities."

 

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