Guide Dog Mobility Instructor

Contact at organisation: Nichola Henson

Salary: $73,340-$78,905

Phone Number: 1800 804 805

Address: 2-6 Chandler Highway, Kew, Victoria, 3101

State/Province: Victoria

Email: HR@guidedogsvictoria.com.au

Postal Code:3101

Website: https://vic.guidedogs.com.au/

Reporting To: Guide Dog Mobility Team Leader

Award: Social Community Homecare and Disability Services Award Level 4

Disability Capability Framework Level: Specialist and Professional Services Job Family – Level 7

Guide Dogs Victoria provides high quality training to maximize the independence of people living with low vision or blindness. Our professional services extend beyond the provision of guide dogs, and include innovative children’s mobility programs, orientation and mobility training for adults and people living with an acquired brain injury (ABI), and social networking programs to support active community participation.  Guide Dogs Victoria is also Australia’s most trusted charity and an employer of choice in the disability sector. Our staff enjoy an inclusive and collaborative working environment where talent is recognised and innovation is encouraged.

Guide Dogs Victoria currently has a vacancy for an experienced professional to join our team in the role of Guide Dog Mobility Instructor.

In this role you will be responsible to:

• Assess and train guide dogs and provide mobility programs to people with low vision or blindness including assessment, training, follow-up, orientation and aftercare programs for clients (including domiciliary and Training Centre-based programs).
• Ensure all client reports and documentation are completed in line with our quality framework, and reporting requirements to the NDIS and other fee for service bodies; and
• Working in conjunction with practitioners across the breadth of our services in the provision of holistic support to our clients.

The successful candidate will have:

• Internationally (IGDF) recognised qualifications as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor;
• The ability to work collaboratively with a range of other practitioners across multi disciplines;
• A thorough practical working knowledge of contemporary issues within the disability sector and person centred approaches, together with a strong client focus;
• A commitment to live the Values and Behaviours of Guide Dogs Victoria;
• A strong client and customer focus and a commitment to person centered service practices; and
• A strong alignment with the vision of Guide Dogs Victoria in delivering independence to people with low vision or blindness.

Guide Dogs Victoria welcomes applications from people with disability, including those with low vision and blindness. We acknowledge the rights of people with disabilities to have equal opportunity for participation in meaningful employment and are committed to increasing the representation of people with disability in our workforce.

About Guide Dogs Victoria

Guide Dogs Victoria provides high quality training to maximise the independence of people living with a vision impairment or blindness. Our professional services extend beyond the provision of guide dogs, and include innovative children’s mobility programs, orientation and mobility training for adults and people living with an acquired brain injury (ABI), and social networking programs to support active community participation.

Guide Dogs Victoria is also Australia’s most trusted charity and an employer of choice in the disability sector. Our staff enjoy an inclusive and collaborative working environment where talent is recognised and innovation is encouraged.

Purpose of Position

The purpose of this position is to provide high quality, person centred guide dog mobility programs to people that are blind or who have low vision. The position is also responsible to match dogs delivered by Guide Dog Trainers to clients, staff residential training cycles, deliver domiciliary programs to meet the business demand and supervise trainee instructors as needed in the client instruction areas required to meet the IGDF standard for training.

Reporting Relationships

The position reports to the Guide Dog Mobility Team Leader and works with other professionals in the delivery of holistic guide dog orientation and mobility services.

Client Programs

• Provide interviews, assessment, training, follow-up, and orientation and aftercare programs for clients. This may include domiciliary programs and Training Centre-based programs.
• Overnight travel may be required. The majority of client program provision will be within your specialised discipline.
• As required, support the provision of client programs of other specialised disciplines by responding to client referrals and addressing non-complex mobility needs and goals as appropriate.
• Ensure the client is fully involved in the development of their programs, and has input into the decisions made.
• Ensure the client’s rights are upheld at all times, and provision of service complies with relevant ethical and professional standards as determined by Guide Dogs Victoria.
• Ensure where appropriate, the client’s family, the referral source, professionals supporting the client, and other relevant others, contribute to the development of the client’s program.
• As necessary, and in consultation with the client, refer the client to other professionals and in-house services to assist with the development of their program.
• As directed by your Team Leader, or designate, play a senior role in contributing to the coordination of short courses/group programs. This may include client registration, staffing each program, sourcing external speakers and resources, etc.
• Complete client program reports and relevant documentation as stated in departmental procedures.
• Provide indirect services to clients by preparing and presenting information/education programs, sessions and workshops to other agencies, professional groups, families and individuals as required.
• Maintain professional competency through the successful training and matching of one guide dog team per annum.

Service Development

• Prepare and present information sessions and workshops as required, to maintain professional and referral networks.
• In collaboration with team members and other relevant staff, identify and target networking opportunities that will enhance referral to the service.
• As directed by the Team Leader, or designate, play a senior role in assisting and contributing to activities and projects that aim to develop client services.
• As required, in collaboration with the Team Leader, develop a plan for the delivery of services within the scope of the departmental Business and Strategic Plans. This plan will identify target populations, referral procedures, resource requirements and a model to measure the effectiveness of the service.
• Assist and guide clients in choice of service provision and adaptive technology.

Staff Supervision

• To participate in formal technical appraisals and/or informal observations as determined and directed by your Team Leader, or designate.
• As directed by your Team Leader, or designate, support and guide work experience students, student Instructors and other Instructors as required. This may include monitoring program complexity, and guidance in the establishment of program goals and lesson design/implementation, and ensuring staff adhere to relevant policies, procedures, standards and legislation.
• Prepare and present information/education sessions and workshops to other Instructors and related professionals as required.

Administration

• Actively participate in the development and implementation of departmental objectives and complete other duties when requested to ensure their achievement.
• Provide accurate written information including clear and informative reports and communications, which includes meeting the requirements of NDIS.
• Participate actively in staff meetings and share information to improve the work environment and outcomes.
• Demonstrate initiative and contribute to ideas for improving ways of working innovation.
• Keep abreast of new developments within area of responsibility. This may include a requirement to attend or present at conferences outside of normal business hours.
• Attend after hours Guide Dog Victoria events and activities as required from time to time.

Compliance

• Follow all Guide Dogs Victoria policies, procedures and systems.
• Ensure safety of self and others in the work environment.
• Contribute to the identification and reporting of risks and hazards, and contribute to their effective control.
• Ensure work meets Guide Dogs Victoria quality requirements, and contribute to the enhancement and continuous improvement of our quality systems.

Position Selection Criteria

Qualifications

• Internationally recognised qualifications as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (International Guide Dog Federation)
• First Aid Certificate

Knowledge, Skills & Previous Experience

• Prior experience in training staff in the areas of Orientation and Mobility, Guide Dog training and client instruction.
• Strong understanding of learning theory and its application in the context of guide dog training and instruction

Personal Attributes

• Mature and professional in approach and presentation.
• Presents people with a disability positively and educate others in the community.
• Demonstrates confidentiality and diversity awareness.
• Is outcome focussed and follows through with commitments.
• Is flexible: adapts to changing circumstances, and prioritises work and addresses what is important.
• Is collaborative: works with others to achieve common goals, and engenders teamwork.
• Works effectively with Volunteers.
• Manages time and uses tools effectively to assist with planning and organising.
• Demonstrates appropriate interpersonal skills, active listening, empathy, social awareness and emotional intelligence in communications, problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Adopts personal accountability in own role.
• Maintains organisation’s image and reputation in context of own role
• Demonstrates commitment to live the Values and Behaviours of Guide Dogs Victoria.
• Demonstrates a strong client and customer focus and a commitment to person centred service practices.
• Able to manage the physical demands and requirements of the job.
• A satisfactory background check including a National Police Check, International Police Check where relevant, Working with Children Check and Disability Workers Exclusion Scheme Check).