Manager of Service Dog Program

Contact at organisation: Kristine Wallace, Guide Dogs of America

Phone: 8188336439

Email: kdwallace@guidedogsofamerica.org

Salary Range: $65,000 – $70,000

Job Purpose: Oversee and manage GDA/TLC’s service dog training program, both in prison and on-campus, including ensuring the program is in compliance with ADI, IGDF, GDA/TLC and prison standards, maintaining program consistency across institutions, developing relationships with institution leadership and staff, ensuring staff and incarcerated trainers comply with company and prison expectations, policies and procedures, and collaborating with GDA/TLC leadership to ensure the program continues to meet the organization’s service dog placement goals.

Essential Functions:

• Ensure all aspects of GDA/TLC’s service dog training program are in compliance with ADI & IGDF standards, including but not limited to, operations and procedures of prison programs, service dog training curriculum, class instruction, and graduate follow-up and support
• Ensure consistency across prison training programs
• Ensure all service dog trainers maintain required qualifications and continuing education
• Evaluate dogs for selection into service dog program
• Ensure adequate staffing and scheduling for all service dog classes
• Oversee selection, training and performance of incarcerated trainers
• Work closely with Director of Programs and Assistant Director of Programs to 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
• Manage time and attendance, 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

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
• Comfortable walking through a prison yards and interacting with inmates

Qualifications:

• 18+ years of age
• Valid driver’s license and insurable
• Ability to obtain a US passport
• High school graduate or GED; bachelor’s degree preferred
• Minimum 3 years’ experience training with positive reinforcement
• Minimum 3 years’ management experience
• Experience working with service dogs (Veteran, Autism, Facility) 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