Training Assistant

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

Phone: 9142432238

Email: Linda Stanley, lstanley@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
A highly motivated and organized individual to provide support for our Placement Specialist, RGDMIs, and Field Services. Ability to demonstrate, understand and apply the values of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Guiding Eyes has two classes of students scheduled each month. You will be picking up or dropping off students at the airport, which may require an early start to the day. On average, you will work one Sunday and one Saturday each month. There may be exceptions when you work more than one Saturday or Sunday a month.

Hours are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm or 8 am to 5 pm, depending on the day (airport days may require an earlier start time). Ability to work a flexible schedule is a must – including nights, holidays, weekends as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist Placement Specialists as scheduled by the Interdepartmental Program Coordinator
• The pickup of students at the airport at the beginning of each class
• Transport of dogs to and from the RGDMIs
• Dog pickup and delivery to graduates and others
• Your day-to-day activities will vary depending on the needs of the Training Department.

Key Performance Indicator: Yearly Performance Review: 50% is job performance, and 50% is the ability to demonstrate, understand and apply the values of Guiding Eyes for the Blind

Qualifications

• Experience with handling dogs
• Able to lift 40 pounds and handle large, active dogs
• Stand, walk long distances indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays to fulfill the job requirements
• Must be able to travel by car, train, airplane as required
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Must be familiar with Microsoft Outlook Suite; Salesforce

Travel Requirements:

• Day trips as needed or assigned
• 0 – 30 overnights per year
• Airline travel within the U.S. and Canada

Values
Demonstrate, understand, and live the values of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

• Kindness, Empathy and Respect

We treat our colleagues, clients, volunteers, and dogs with kindness, empathy, and respect, creating a culture of trust.

• Collaboration and Teamwork

We listen to diverse opinions and work together in an inclusive way to achieve our common purpose.

• Innovation and Openness to Change

We continuously learn, grow, and evolve our ways of working to enhance the quality of our services, our dogs, and our training. We are resilient in the face of change.

• Accountability

We own our work, our words, our actions, and results, in a reasonable way, while supporting those in our care.

• Client-focused

We put our clients first and seek to exceed their expectations by supporting them with exceptional dogs trained to meet their unique needs.

• Passionate

We have unrelenting passion for matching the right dog with the right person so they can live the life they want to live.

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.