Trainee Guide Dog Trainer

Contact at organisation: Deidre Hannigan, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Inc.

Phone: (914) 243-2238

Email: dhannigan@guidingeyes.org

Organization Overview
Guiding Eyes for the Blind provides guide dogs to people with vision loss. We are passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals for greater independence. Guiding Eyes for the Blind is dedicated to creating and supporting life-changing connections between people and dogs.

At our facilities in Yorktown Heights, NY, and Patterson, NY, we breed, raise, and train exceptional dogs. Then we connect them to people who are seeking increased freedom and independence, so that together, they can experience all kinds of life adventures.

Position Overview
This is an assignment for a 1.5-year development program to train for a potential role as a Guide Dog Trainer.* In this program you will prepare assigned dogs to a state of readiness to be matched with a person who is blind in Guiding Eyes’ guide dog instruction program. Provide a positive emotional, behavioral, and physical environment for all assigned dogs. Participate in public relations and public education events. Ability to demonstrate, understand, and apply the values of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

This position will report to our Yorktown Heights, NY campus, Monday-Friday. Ability to work a flexible schedule is a must – including nights, holidays, weekends as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Start a string of eight (8) dogs, 2-3 times per year
• Conduct foundation training (16 weeks) and possibly customized training (4 weeks) with assigned dogs
• Blindfold work with assigned dogs
• Train dogs as assigned, to a condition of class readiness in obedience and guide work skills
• Participate in daily cleaning, disinfecting and other routine maintenance of the kennel and associated facilities
• Assist in daily feeding and monitoring the diets of all dogs in the kennel facility
• Provide a constant positive image of Guiding Eyes through appropriate dress and conduct while working with dogs
• Participate in public relations and public education efforts by giving talks, presentations, demonstrations, and tours of the training school and/or training kennel
• May be asked to fill in for Foundation GDMIs when not training assigned dogs
• May be assigned boarding guides, returned guides, and placement-ready guides
• May be asked to pick up and drop off guide dogs in the field
• Travel Requirements: Day trips as needed or assigned; Overnights during the year (may include weekends); Airline travel in the U.S. and Canada

Qualifications

• Must be comfortable wearing and working under a blindfold for extensive periods of time
• Experience working and training dogs
• Able to lift 40 pounds and handle large, active dogs
• Stand, walk long distances indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions (average of 3-10 miles per training day)
• Demonstrated ability to communicate at a high level both verbally and in writing
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays to fulfill the requirements of training
• Must be able to travel by car, train, airplane as required
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Must be familiar with Microsoft Outlook Suite; Salesforce

Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination Status
Guiding Eyes requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated for at least two weeks before commencing work. New hires are required to present proof of their vaccinated status, such as their CDC Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card or an official immunization record from the jurisdiction, state, or country where the vaccine was administered; or a New York State Excelsior Pass, or a New York City COVID Safe Pass.

Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare (Med/Den/Vis) and 403(b) plan

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F, D/V
Must be authorized to work in the United States.

*As an assignment, after the 1.5-year program has ended, there is no guarantee of employment nor a guarantee of becoming a Guide Dog Trainer.

The above job description is intended to be a general description of the requirements and duties of this assignment. It is one of inclusion, not exclusion. Any Guiding Eyes for the Blind employee must be willing to perform tasks not specified within their job description, so long as those tasks are in the best interests of Guiding Eyes for the Blind and are tasks which the individual is capable of performing.