Breeding, Client Services, and Volunteer Coordinator

Contact at organisation: Dianna Hamilton, Guide Dogs of Texas

Phone: 210-416-1937

Email: dianna@hamiltonconsultingtx.com

POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Breeding, Client Services, and Volunteer Coordinator
REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

PRIMARY FUNCTION: This position rolls several part-time roles into one full-time position. The primary function of the Breeding, Client Services, and Volunteer Coordinator is to oversee and manage the breeding operations of Guide Dogs of Texas, manage and oversee Client Services, and to oversee and manage defined volunteers. This is a dynamic role where the ideal candidate will effectively manage their time in relation to workload, being able to triage duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

BREEDING COORDINATION

• Whelp puppies in your home, until such time as we have a breeding facility
• Manage socialization calendar, volunteer support
• Participate in breeding selection decisions, including assessment of health, temperament, and pedigree
• Manage dam progress through process, including repro vet visits, scheduling and timing
• Accurately enter and manage all data into IWDR
• Ensure the well-being and health needs of all breeding program dogs, and puppies prior to placement in volunteer homes
• Responsible for managing matings, including potential shipment/movement of stock internationally
• Collaborate with multiple domestic an international partners to further advance the genetic quality and relationships in the working dog field
• Assist with puppy temperament testing
• Available to transport pups to/from site
• Participate in design and continued development of a comprehensive breeding strategy to provide necessary resources for the future of the organization
• Assist with placement and care of breeding stock with volunteer homes
• Stay abreast of most current, best practices in breeding, whelping, and socializing working dogs, periodically attending breeding workshops/seminars in the USA and abroad

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

• Support the puppy raising department’s volunteer procurement, onboarding, and continuing education
• Schedule/coordinate weekend boarding in cooperation with the Puppy Raising Manager
• Schedule weekend boarding training in cooperation with the Puppy Raising Manager
• Receive volunteer applications/enquiries, assess, and database
• Work with staff/create volunteer opportunities, coordinate with volunteer applicants
• Recruitment and onboarding of new volunteers organization-wide
• Maintains a database of volunteer hours and develop appropriate recognition programs

CLIENT SERVICES

• Manage movement of applicants through process, ensuring time benchmarks are being met
• Manage and coordinate regular aftercare/follow up visits w/ technical staff
• Set meetings for applicant selection committee in timely manner
• Communication with applicants and updates
• Prepare class packets
• Receive phone calls/emails from clients and advise, manage, and distribute as necessary

GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

• Manage inventory of equipment and supplies site-wide

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of and experience in canine genetics, breeding, whelping, and early development
• Knowledge of and experience in training, husbandry, and handling skills with dogs from birth to adulthood
• Excellent organizational skills
• Familiarity with the IWDR is ideal
• Willing to travel and work independently, and with volunteers
• Foundation of understanding of medical issues that affect breeding dogs, neonates, and young puppies
• Ability to thrive in a team environment, providing support to other departments and individuals to ensure the efficient and effective operations of the organization.
• Excellent customer skills
• Comfort with computer usage and data entry/management
• Comfortable working alone, or in an office environment
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including informative presentation skills.
• Analytical and systemic thinking with the ability to make responsible and timely decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, Board members, vendors, and community groups.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and carry up to 10 pounds for short periods of time.
• Position is on-site, except for times of active whelping/nursing, when the position will be from home working with the whelping dam
• Must be eligible to work in the USA and have a clean driving record at normal insurance rates
• Role requires some weekends, evenings, and overnights