Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (M/F/X)

Contact at organisation: Arthur Vandebosch, Belgian Centre for Guide Dogs

Phone: +3212234319

Email: bcg@geleidehond.be

At the Belgian Centre for Guide Dogs, humans and animals are at the heart of our organisation. We train dogs to guide visually impaired people. These ‘dogs with a mission’ offer their owners independence, mobility, companionship and unconditional friendship. To expand our team, we are looking for new employees.

Job description:

As a GDMI, you will be responsible for training our guide dogs and matching suitable guide dogs with prospective guide dog users. You will also provide support and follow-up for all active guide dog users and candidate guide dog users. You play a central role at the BCGD and are the confidant that guide dog users can call on.

What will you be doing?

• Train the dogs according to IGDF standards, taking into account the specific needs of the guide dog user.
• Monitoring the welfare of the dogs.
• Check the quality of the dog and report and evaluate the training progress together with fellow GDMIs.
• Inform former foster families of the progress of the dog’s journey.
• Organise intakes or replacement intakes with (prospective) guide dog users and communicate about the progress of the pathway.
• Organise familiarisation days to jointly renew intakes.
• Assess the suitability of mobility skills of prospective guide dog users and provide advice around mobility training.
• Provide a good matching between a dog and a candidate guide dog user taking into account the needs and lifestyle of the guide dog user.
• Drawing up and implementing a class plan tailored to the guide dog candidate, taking into account the experience, individual needs and limitations of the guide dog user.
• Maintain a record of the class.
• Organise follow-up meetings, evaluating the dog and guide dog user.
• Selecting boarder families by making home visits and informing, guiding and following up the boarder families.
• Carry out correct administration around intakes, matchings and classes, boarder families.
• Co-executing evaluation moments of puppies in foster homes (behavioural tests, city walks,…).

As a new trainee GDMI, you will be supported theoretically and practically by an experienced GDMI.

Who are you?

• You are client-oriented and contribute to positive communication about the BCGD.
• You are passionate about helping and supporting blind and visually impaired people to be or become mobile.
• You are keen to offer quality and good service.
• You can work both independently and as part of a team.
• You are empathetic, communicative, sociable and decisive.
• You are well organised and punctual.
• You have a great sense of responsibility and are safety-conscious.
• You are eager to learn and take responsibility for your own professional development and performance.
• You are willing to stay overnight on site if necessary for efficient support of guide dog users or training.
• You have basic ICT knowledge.
• You have a valid driving licence B.

Job-related competencies:

You have a good knowledge of dog training and dog behaviour, both theoretical and practical.

Personal competencies:

• Empathic
• Good at communicating
• Independent
• Organised
• Responsible
• Result-oriented
• Teamplayer
• Flexible
• Analytical

We offer:

• An exciting and varied job in an enthusiastic team in an inspiring working environment.
• Internal training regarding the specific preparation of a dog for his future career as a guide dog.
• Open-ended contract (full-time). Other types (flexi and/or volunteer) are not eligible.
• Extra-legal benefits (meal vouchers, hospitalisation and group insurance).
• Gross monthly starting salary based on useful experience.
• Private use of company car required for job performance.
• Mobile phone, laptop.
• Your main workplace is the registered office of our training centre, Sint-Truidersteenweg 309, 3700 Tongeren.
• You will work 40 hours per week from Monday to Friday with ADV days.
• You can start working immediately.