Guide Dog Trainer

Contact at organisation: Nichola Henson

Salary: $58,680-$62,085

Phone Number: 1800 804 805

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

State/Province: Victoria

Postal Code:3101

Email: HR@guidedogsvictoria.com.au

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

Reporting To: Guide Dog Services Team Leader

Award: Social Community Homecare and Disability Services Award, Level 2

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 Trainer.

The responsibilities will include:

Assessing and training accepted dogs to a standard of readiness for allocation to clients who are blind or have low vision;
Training dogs using positive reinforcement methodology to Guide Dogs Australia quality standards;
Reviewing dogs for their temperamental and physical suitability in line with our assessment schedule; and
Working in collaboration with other highly skilled staff across our dog facilities, puppy development and Guide Dog Mobility Instructors to ensure the success of our Guide Dogs.

Requirements for this role:

Relevant certificate qualification in dog training or a qualification from an IGDF accredited school;
Solid understanding of the principles of dog learning, and a commitment to positive reinforcement;
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 assess and train accepted dogs to a standard of readiness for allocation to clients who are blind or have low vision.

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the Guide Dog Training Team Leader, and works closely with Dog Facilities staff, Puppy Development Advisors and Guide Dog Mobility Instructors to assess and train Guide Dogs to acceptable standard.

Position Responsibilities

Dog Training

• Assess dogs for their temperamental and physical suitability for Guide Dog training in line with Guide Dogs Victoria’s assessment schedule.
• Monitor and manage the physical and temperamental wellbeing of assigned dogs and liaise with the Consultant Veterinarian where relevant. This may include organising veterinary appointments and examinations with the Canine Welfare Manager.
• Train suitable dogs effectively and efficiently to the standards determined by Guide Dogs Victoria.
• Maximise the use of positive reinforcement and minimise use of positive punishment in training.
• Provide teaching and coaching opportunities to volunteers and staff members in the use of learning theory and positive reinforcement.
• Liaise with the Guide Dog Services Manager on the progress and suitability of dogs for training. This may also include liaising with other relevant people such as Dog Facilities staff and
• Guide Dog Instructors.
• Work in collaboration with Dog Facilities staff, Puppy Development Advisors and Guide Dog Instructors to ensure the physical and temperamental wellbeing of assigned dogs is monitored and maintained.
• Work with the puppy development team on scheduled visits and classes for young dogs on the puppy scheme.

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.
• 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 and generating ideas for innovation.
• Keep abreast of new developments within area of responsibility
• 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

• Qualified Guide Dog Trainer as certified by an IGDF-accredited Guide Dog organisation

Knowledge, Skills & Previous Experience

• Solid understanding of the principles of dog learning and a commitment to positive reinforcement methodology.
• Experience and skills in monitoring and managing the physical and temperamental wellbeing of dogs.
• Experience and skills in assessing and training dogs, working towards a standard of readiness for allocation to clients.
• Have a genuine interest and empathy towards animals, particularly dogs, and an understanding of the human/animal bond.
• Have an understanding and interest in the goals and needs of clients.
• Have an excellent level of fitness, strength and flexibility to manage the physical demands and requirements of the job and complete the tasks and duties as stated above.
• To be punctual for all tasks, particularly those which impact on the wellbeing of dogs.
• Ability to work well within a team, as well as independently, assuming responsibility for nominated tasks.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.

Personal Attributes

• Mature and professional in approach and presentation.
• Open and receptive to learning especially in the area of dog training.
• 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 and international police check and working with children check).