Canine Care Manager

Contact at organisation: Loretta Quis, Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc.

Phone: 631-930-9031

Email: Loretta.Quis@guidedog.org

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Canine Care Manager
REPORTS TO: Chief Canine Care Officer

OVERALL SUMMARY:

The Canine Care Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day care of all dogs on campus and for optimizing the physical conditions of the kennel environment. The incumbent is responsible for directing the work of Canine Care staff and training and/or overseeing new employees and volunteers in proper care techniques. This hands-on management position entails developing and assuring adherence to established kennel protocols; selecting and guiding Canine Care staff and undertaking the full range of kennel duties as needed.

In addition, this position collaborates with Canine Care/Neonatal and Veterinary staff to ensure that proper protocols and procedures are followed to prevent disease and promote optimal health of our dogs. The Canine Care Manager, working collaboratively with other departments, develops and oversees implementation of plans for dogs with behavior issues.

POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Actively supervises canine care supervisors and staff, providing direct support to ensure program needs are met. Prioritizes and assigns duties, monitors performance against goals and objectives.
• Manages day-to-day performance, selects and develops employees, coaches and counsels employees, holds each employee to performance standards and conducts performance evaluations.
• Assists in assessing canine care staff for advancement to Apprentice positions.
• Designs and administers educational programs for canine care staff to improve and foster their dog handling and canine health care skills. Coordinates with the Manager of Program Education to ensure that dog handling is consistent with current organizational standards.
• Responsible for recruitment, hiring, and scheduling of all canine care staff to ensure optimal coverage of canine care needs and other duties.
• Monitor expenses and operates within approved canine care budget parameters for training kennel supplies.
• Ensures or supervises on-the-job instruction to new training department staff and volunteers in accepted canine care and handling standards.
• To prevent disease and optimize health, ensures consistency in the use of canine care protocols and procedures among canine care, training, and puppy staffs.
• Collaborates with canine care and veterinary services staff in understanding and following new standards. Maintains documentation of existing GDF/AVD canine care policies and procedures.
• Develops and oversees projects designed to enhance physical and psychological care of all program and non-program dogs residing in the kennels, including behavior modification plans for non-program dogs.
• Monitors environmental conditions in the kennels and pursues corrections to conditions (heating, air-cooling, use of bleaches and other chemicals) that may affect the dogs’ wellbeing and comfort. Communicates with other departments to make environmental corrections as expeditiously as possible.
• Oversees our organization’s safety policies and procedures within the training department. Investigates and completes injury report for any incidents and accidents brought to the supervisor’s attention.
• Undertakes Canine Care duties as needed, such as bathing, vet checks, medications, feeding, campus walks, etc.
• Undertakes other duties assigned.

POSITION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Strong leadership qualities, including the character, experience, wisdom, and discernment needed to build trust and influence with direct reports, peers, and organizational leadership.
• Proficiency in canine handling, behavior, and care using positive reinforcement methods, typically gained by 5-7 years’ experience in training, veterinary or kennel position.
• Expertise in the development and implementation of staff educational programs, and ability to positively influence the professional development of direct reports.
• Preference will be given to applicants with experience using positive reinforcement techniques to modify problematic behavior.
• A minimum of three years’ supervisory experience is desirable.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment, strong communications and team-building skills and the ability to make timely and prudent decisions.

Physical Demands:

• Must safely handle a variety of large breed dogs, weighing up to 85 pounds with varying strength and manageability. Able to pick up a 70-85 dog in an emergency. Able to withstand repetitive bending, stooping, kneeling, and squatting.

Visual Acuity:

• Near acuity and accommodation are required for the ability to see and read a dog’s reaction to environment and distractions, ability to observe employee interactions with dogs, ability to read forms, documentation, and computer screen.

Hearing Ability:

• Ability to interact with dogs, trainers, students, and volunteers either in an informal way or giving formal instruction through seminar and training exercises. Ability to hear above traffic and other outside noises.

Working Conditions:

• The employee is subject to daily outside elements, traffic, subway, train station, and airport noise levels as well as inside kennel noise. Employee is exposed to cleaning and antibacterial solutions in kennels. Employee is also exposed to animal dander and hair in confined areas such as vans and kennels.