GDMI Program Manager – Quality Assurance

Contact at organisation: Lea Clemence, Leader Dogs for the Blind

Phone: 2482186429

Email: lea.clemence@leaderdog.org

Leader Dogs for the Blind, based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has been making people unstoppable for 80 years, empowering people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. To learn more about our mission and campus follow the link to our website here.

Why work at Leader Dogs for the Blind?

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance after 30 days of employment
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid disability insurance
• 401k with employer match
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off front loaded on first day of employment
• Annual merit pay increases
• Workout room access
• Dog friendly office

SUMMARY
The GDMI Program Manager – Quality Assurance, leads the GDMI Development Program by providing developmental and educational opportunities for GDMIs. This position is also responsible for and measuring the quality of canine training that leads to a superior client experience.

• ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  Creates, maintains, and leads GDMI Development Program to ensure Training team members provide quality canine and client training, field services, and client follow up.
• Collaborates with Manager of Training and Supervisors to observe and evaluate instructor’s performance by way of skills checks; monitor quality of training and recommend changes to strengthen skills.
• Leads, coordinates, and facilitates educational opportunities for Training department; suggests additional developmental goals and opportunities as necessary.
• Partners with Manager of Training to manage and continue development of Senior and Master GDMI career track; reviews and grades submitted requirements.
• Oversee dog evaluations within the training process to ensure that canines meet all identified standards and criteria for a Leader Dog.
• Oversee dog evaluations of holdover and graduate return dogs to determine proper inclusion into class ready standards.
• Ensures that curriculum and provision of canine training for the Training team is consistent in all areas of instruction.
• Measures the quality and impact of new and alternative dog training techniques, policies, procedures, and curriculum.
• Manages and tracks all Training department metrics including but not limited to holdover/graduate return dogs, career change dogs, career change percentages for instructors, and dog changes in class.
• Leads team members using a performance support process including goal setting, feedback, and development.
• Serves as active member of the Admissions Committee.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree plus a minimum of 5 years of related experience as a qualified Guide Dog Mobility Instructor from a school recognized by IGDF. An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree. Previous leadership and supervisor experience preferred. Mentorship and teaching experience preferred.

• KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
  Ability to develop alternative curriculum, oversee a training program and processes, analyze its effectiveness, and implement necessary ongoing quality checks and improvements.
• Unwavering commitment to quality programs and data driven program evaluation.
• Strong knowledge of and experience in the principles, practices and techniques of guide dog training and orientation and mobility instruction.
• Proficient in latest version of Microsoft Office products and CRM.
• Ability to provide regular, quality, and direct feedback to team members.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings/weekends.
• Ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines; must have the ability to work independently, be self-directed with little or no supervision.
• Possess sound business judgment, exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards, and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and passport with no restrictions and the ability to travel as needed.
• Be comfortable with and willing to work around large dogs.
• Willing to perform general public relations duties on behalf of Leader Dog (perform tours, presentations, answer general questions, be a professional and courteous representative of Leader Dog, etc.).
• Be able to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions with employees that promote positive teamwork, as well as with volunteers, donors, clients and all constituents of Leader Dog. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodations may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, crouch, kneel and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to sit, use the phone, and drive. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception in order to effectively assess canine behavior, potential hazards, and safely monitor client and canine instruction. Must be able to work outside in all weather conditions and walk distances consistent with training program needs for clients and dogs.

Leader Dogs for the Blind reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities and position title as it deems necessary to meet the needs of its business.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an at-will employer. This means that the employment relationship may be ended at any time without notice by the employer or employee for any reason. Neither this document, nor any manual issued by Leader Dogs for the Blind, is a contract of employment.