Senior Guide Dog Mobility Instructor – Tasmania

Contact at organisation: Kim Ryan, EverAbility

Phone: 0419 123 115

Email: kim.ryan@guidedogstas.com.au

A little about us:
EverAbility Group have a long and proud history of providing services for people with disabilities across Western Australia and Tasmania. Together, our team of nearly 200 staff and over 500 volunteers support our growing group of diverse services. This opens up a world of possibilities for our clients – and also opens up a host of career opportunities for you!

Our growing family of services at EverAbility Group include:
VisAbility – our specialised service supporting people with blindness or vision impairment.
Guide Dogs WA and Guide Dogs Tasmania – our iconic service raising and training life changing assistance dogs.
Kites Children’s Therapy – our early intervention support, advice and solutions service transforming the lives of children and their families living with disability or developmental challenges.
Perron Place – our innovative and collaborative community centre.

The beautiful dogs in our program do so much more than help people who are vision impaired to navigate the world around them. We are working to meet the growing local demand to give the gift of independence and confidence to their handlers. We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Guide Dog Mobility Instructor to be a part of our small close-knit team on a full-time basis. The role involves assessing, training and matching dogs to eligible clients and conducting client training programs to develop effective working units. This position may also provide services on the assistance dog and facility dog programs.

Key responsibilities:

• Assess and train Guide Dogs to the standard determined by Guide Dogs TAS and based on International Guide Dog Federation standards.
• Training dogs to obey verbal and non-verbal commands.
• In collaboration with other members of the Guide Dog Team, match Guide Dogs to clients.
• Develop, document, and conduct Guide Dog Client Training Programs, both centre-based and domiciliary.
• Maintain current knowledge of trends and developments in relation to Guide Dog services, training techniques, practices, policies, and legislation.
• Contribute to the planning, development, and delivery of Guide Dogs TAS services to metropolitan and regional clients, as required and within available resources.
• Contribute to the recruitment, induction and professional development of cadets and students.
• Advocate on behalf of clients in relation to issues of access and equity.
• Collaborate with other departments to achieve organisational objectives.
• Comply with organisational policies and procedures and ensure safe work practices are adhered to.
• Act as an ambassador for Guide dogs, promoting good public image and supporting the organisation’s strategic direction.
• Ensure all dogs receive appropriate care and monitor their welfare. Including feeling, cleaning/grooming, and maintaining health records. Refer Guide Dogs for veterinary examination, as required.
• Advocate on behalf of clients in relation to issues of access and equity.
• In conjunction with other EverAbility Programs, assist with information provision on the Guide Dog program to clients and staff, as required.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of data on the Client Management System and IWDR within required timeframes.
• Actively seek information from the organisations Process Mapping System and contribute to the creation and ongoing improvement of organisation processes through providing input, feedback, and suggestions.

Skills and attributes required.
Essential:

• Recognised IGDF qualification in Guide Dog Mobility.
• AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3)
• Suitable experience working within the field of IGDF to be able to supervise cadetships.
• Experience developing and teaching cadetship programs.
• Up-to-date knowledge of Guide Dog Mobility theory and practices, and knowledge of community resources relevant to people with vision impairment.
• Superior planning and organising skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Sound knowledge of current philosophy, policies, and legislation relevant to Guide Dogs.
• Ability to manage the physical demands and inherent requirements of the job and complete the tasks and duties as stated.
• Ability to work well within a team, as well as independently, assuming responsibility for nominated tasks.
• Awareness of the personal impact of disability and loss of vision for an individual
• Proven team management, coaching and mentoring skills.
• Effective communication skills both oral and written.
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in use of Microsoft Office programs.
• Availability to work flexible work hours including weekends and evenings as required.

Desirable:

• Effective public presentation skills.
• Broad base of experience in one or more IGDF accredited organisations.
• Background in teaching or training adults and children
• Valid driver’s licence
• National Police Check
• Working with Vulnerable People Check (NDIS endorsed)

Benefits:
If you enjoy variety in your work, where no day is the same, then this is the role for you! Feel rewarded by purpose in your work as you help people living with disability and developmental delay to achieve independence and inclusion. Be challenged by the work you do in this dynamic and changing environment. We have a number of professionals in diverse roles with expertise in their field. Learn and expand your knowledge in this specialised area. You will also benefit from:

• Generous Salary Packaging arrangements
• Work within a friendly and supportive team who are passionate about what they do.
• Flexible working arrangements – work from home options and flexible start and finish times.
• Access to Training and Professional Development opportunities.
• 3 additional days of paid leave as a gift to you over the Christmas / New Year period.
• An Employee Assistance Program offering external counselling and support services to you and your family.
• Subsidised annual flu shots.
• Dogs in the office everyday!