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Organization: Guide Dogs of America
Location: Sylmar, CA
Job Type: Full time
Deadline: March 31, 2022

Job Description

Contact at organisation: Kristine Wallace, Guide Dogs of America

Phone: 8188336439

Email: kdwallace@guidedogsofamerica.org

Job Purpose: Oversee the success and development of GDA/TLC’s service dog program

Essential Functions:

  • Responsible for ensuring that all training needs meet the organization’s expectations and maintain consistency across prison training programs;
  • Ensure service dog program, including curriculum, class instruction, follow-up contact with graduates, remains in compliance with current ADI standards;
  • Oversee and track all service dog trainers’ qualifications and continuing education;
  • Regularly evaluate/test dogs for selection in service dog program and class selection;
  • Oversee client service interviews, assessments, and follow-up visits;
  • Participate in the client Selection Committee process;
  • Ensure adequate staffing and scheduling for all service dog classes;
  • Work closely with Director of Programs and Assistant Director of Programs to develop, support and grow the service dog program and enhance the mission of the organization;
  • Establish and maintain relationships with leadership partners, including prison training program partners;
  • Work closely with Prison Administration to ensure the program is supported and needs and requests are met in order for the program to be successful;
  • Process biweekly timecards, approve time off requests, complete yearly performance evaluations, and manage daily performance of direct reports;
  • Work within a prison environment; pass a prison background check; adhere to prison policies/procedures;
  • Working nights, weekends and travel required;
  • Other duties as assigned.

Essential Physical Requirements:

  • Stand, walk long distances indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions;
  • Push, pull, reach overhead, bend to the floor, squat, stoop;
  • Ability to lift up to 60 pounds; must possess the physical strength to lift healthy, potentially strong, large breed dogs;
  • Ability to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force including pushing or moving objects;
  • Ability to handle and control a large breed dog;
  • Ability to wear protective gear including masks, gloves, goggles, boots;
  • Visual acuity required to see and read dog’s reaction to environment and distractions, ability to read forms, documentation, and computer screen;
  • Hearing ability required to interact with dogs, trainers, students, graduates, and volunteers;
  • Ability to tolerate elevated noise levels – barking dogs.

Qualifications:

  • 18+ years of age;;
  • Valid driver’s license and insurable;
  • High school graduate or GED;
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred;
  • Minimum 5 years’ experience training and placing service dogs;
  • Management experience preferred;
  • Proficient in Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Outlook, Excel; experience with CRM database management programs such as Salesforce preferred;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills;
  • Attention to detail and accuracy;
  • Planning, time management, prioritizing and organization skills;
  • Excellent presentation, teaching and public speaking skills;
  • Work well as part of a team and in a team environment.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants please send cover letter and resume to kdwallace@guidedogsofamerica.org