Summary
Description
Our Culture
We believe in harnessing the power of diversity to create a culture of belonging where all individuals are celebrated and valued for their unique ideas, perspectives, and strengths as a means to achieving personal excellence and organizational success.
Our Values
Lead the Pack: Commit to excellence in all we do
Be the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are: Demonstrate integrity to build trust
Work Together, Wag Together: Achieve shared goals while having fun
Keep our Dogs in a Row: Steward all resources efficiently and effectively
Unlease the Power of Diversity: Foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture
The Purpose of Your Role
Support the success of adolescent service dogs in training through the Prison Training Program and Puppy Raising Program from 8 weeks to 2 years old by providing leadership to the Puppy Development Instructors, Puppy Development Coordinator, and volunteer Puppy Raisers. Responsible for leading the Puppy Development Team in recruiting, training, supporting, and retaining volunteer puppy raisers as well as evaluating, matching, and placing puppies with raisers. This working manager role will assign, lead, and/or oversee weekly dog training classes, provide individual dog training support as needed, and complete considerable administrative and reporting responsibilities. Responsible for working with various prison facilities where inmates train puppies on basic commands. Supervises Puppy Development Trainers and Puppy Development Coordinator. Reports to Deputy Director of Operations.
The Skills You Bring
• Passion for helping individuals
• Love of dogs including large breed dogs
• Unwavering dedication to volunteers
• Desire to learn
• Adaptability
• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to set and enforce boundaries
• Effective and consistent communicator
• Team player
• Proficiency in Google Suite and Salesforce or other CRM software
• Willingness to learn dog training techniques in accordance to FSD and Assistance Dogs International standards
Our Investment in You
• Competitive Salary: $62,000 – $70,000
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance covered in part by FSD
• 401k plan with company match
• 13 Holidays & Generous Paid Time Off
• Wagging tails, dog kisses, and puppy breath
The Work You Will Do
Training of Puppies, Volunteer Puppy Raisers/Fosters
• Manage instructors and coordinator in providing 1-on-1 instruction and teaching small group classes to volunteer puppy raisers, puppy sitters, and prison raisers.
• Track puppies in the program timeline.
• Match puppies with volunteer raisers.
• Coordinate and transport puppies as needed to/from prison facilities.
• Work with prison liaisons to ensure FSD training methods are used with FSD puppies, behavioral issues are addressed, and medical concerns are reported to the FSD health team.
• Support inmate raisers through in-person training, phone calls, and educational material.
• Coordinate Tiny Tots and post-prison puppies (puppies 8 weeks to 6 months old).
• Assist in recruiting potential puppy raisers in the community.
• Coordinate and host seminars and workshops to educate puppy-raising volunteers on puppy training, socialization, health care and overall management of an FSD puppy.
• Coordinate, perform, and score all Cue Assessments on puppies.
• Document all training hours, public outings, and evaluations for each dog in organization’s database.
Data Collection, Planning, and Reporting
• Monthly reporting of puppy development activities, including reports needed for grantors and partners.
• Assist with budget process with responsibility for coding and establishing budget needs.
• Work with the Reproduction and Genetics Manager and Deputy Director of Operations to plan, schedule, and coordinate puppy cohort sizes.
• Work with Deputy Director of Operations to evaluate program effectiveness and develop solutions to improve efficiencies
• Work with Volunteer Coordinator and Puppy Development Team to plan appropriate volunteer puppy raiser numbers for each associated puppy cohort.
Other Duties
• Interview, hire, train, and mentor Puppy Development Team staff.
• Support philanthropic efforts of the organization by occasionally assisting with dog training demonstrations, community outreach, and building tours
• Other duties that may be assigned
Supervisory Responsibility
This position supervises the puppy development dog trainers and coordinator and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include: interviewing, hiring and training direct reports; planning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
This job operates in both a professional office environment and in dog kennels and surrounding areas. The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate. The noise level in dog kennels environment can be loud. The location is a non-smoking environment.
While performing the duties of this job, which includes handling large dogs, the employee is regularly required to be very physically active. The employee is frequently required to stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and perform a variety of physical motions with his or her hands, arms, shoulders, and legs. The employee is often on her or his feet and is often required to walk; escort visitors or volunteers in or around the kennel areas; and climb or balance. The employee is to communicate regularly with others. Employee must be able to manipulate and use all equipment and tools necessary to care for dogs, including leashes, medicines, locking mechanisms, and dog toys. The employee must have the ability to rapidly use printers, computer equipment, copy machine, and other general office machines.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, exempt position consisting of approximately 40 hours of work per week. This position will require working some weekends, evenings, and being open to working additional shifts on an as needed basis
Travel
Local and regional travel, such as travel to puppy outings, prison facilities, and puppy raiser homes is expected. Occasional out of state or in-state travel may be required due to organization needs.
Required Education and Experience
• Knowledge of service, assistance, or guide dog training with FSD or an affiliate ADI organization.
• 3 Years of experience managing a team of 2+ employees
• Experience with positive reinforcement and understanding of marker training
• Ability to make presentations comfortably to small and large groups
• Understanding of canine behavior and learning theory
• Valid driver’s license and maintain current vehicle insurance
Preferred Education, Experience, and Competencies
• Experience with basic animal husbandry procedures
• Experience with disability awareness and sensitivity
• Experience teaching adult learners
• Experience in public speaking
• Nonprofit work/volunteer experience
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Must have a valid driver’s license and maintain current vehicle insurance.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Essential and marginal job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Freedom Service Dogs is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. We do not discriminate against applicants, clients, graduates or employees on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by state or local law.
To apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to Marnie Lansdown, mlansdown@freedomservicedogs.org. No phone calls please.
Benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance covered in part by FSD
• 401k plan with company match
• 13 Holidays & Generous Paid Time Off
• Wagging tails, dog kisses, and puppy breath
How to Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter to Marnie Lansdown, mlansdown@freedomservicedogs.org. No phone calls please
