Why join our team?

As a Canine Companions employee, you’ll enjoy knowing that every day you make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. You’ll give independence and give a dog a job!

Canine Companions dedication to our mission is only equaled to our dedication to our employees.

BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive benefit program including employer-paid medical, dental and vision for staff
• 14 paid holidays, including an Inclusion Holiday
• 17 paid days off (Paid time off, PTO), including hours to serve your community
• Employer matched 403(b) retirement plan
• Employee assistance plan/wellness programs
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee dedicated to ongoing efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace by setting actionable goals and evaluating progress.

 “The organization really lives out the core values in daily actions and decision making. I enjoy coming to work as I know that my day will be filled with integrity as the organization does what is right, guided by honesty, accountability and sincerity.”

-Canine Early Care Team Member

About the Position

This position is responsible for overall management of the whelping center during their assigned shift., working in collaboration with their shift manager peer to ensure operational needs are met. This position will be responsible for providing quality care of female breeders and puppies housed at the Canine Early Care Development Center and provides essential oversight for pregnant female breeders, including whelp and delivery of neonates ensuring that puppies are healthy and that medical needs are addressed promptly and that weaning, socialization, husbandry and other critical puppy needs are met and thoroughly documented. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned as needed: 

Whelping and Neonate Care 

• Delivery – Ensure all whelping is supervised by trained whelping center staff or other trained professionals (veterinarian) 
• Nursing – Ensure puppies are nursing and gaining weight.
• Weaning – Ensure puppies are following an appropriate weaning schedule. 
• Nutritional needs of the dam - Ensure all receive adequate nutrition during peak lactation. 
• Emergencies – Provide or direct transportation to emergency clinic when necessary. 
• Weights - Monitor weighing schedules and procedures. 
• Socialization/environmental enrichment protocols- Ensure all socialization areas provide proper environmental enrichment based on age of puppy. Assists to provide appropriate activities and needs are met per approved protocol. 
• Medical Care – ensure puppies stay on the required worming schedule, oversee medication administration and any other medical care needed. 
• Disinfection- Ensure adequate disinfection methods are in place. Ensure runs and puppy areas are thoroughly disinfected prior to, after and during use. 
• Bathing- Ensure puppies are clean, feces-free, and bathed appropriately. 
• Assign litter daily ensuring care logs are ready for the next 48 hours. 
• Monitor heat cycle schedules and coordinate with National Breeding and Puppy Program Manager which dogs can whelp in house including scheduling of females to be induced to meet breeding goals and balance facility capacity. 

Canine Care 

• Coordinate dates, logistics, and arrangements for incoming breeders and their puppies. 
• Communicate updates to breeder caretakers regarding breeder dog status, birth announcements, and post-whelp updates. 
• Coordinate all whelp and puppy veterinary appointments for puppies at the CEDC (whelp x-ray, puppy processing, etc.) 
• Communicate all canine, whelp, and puppy concerns, needs and problems to the National Breeding Veterinarian and the National Breeding Program Manager for puppies at the CEDC. 
• Administer oral, topical, and injectable medications under the recommendation of the National Veterinarian. 
• Perform diagnostics and treatments as instructed by the veterinary staff including collecting samples, administering fluids, checking fetal heart rates, treating mastitis, and other recommended treatments as directed. 
• Oversee all grooming, including bathing, nail trimming, etc. 
• Ensure Breeders and puppies receive proper exercise and socialization time (pre and post-whelp). 
• Assist in transporting dogs and puppies using crates and/or approved methods as needed. 

Facility Needs 

• Monitor inventory of kennel supplies and dog food. 
• Ensure supplies are properly stored, used and maintained per inventory goals and needs. 
• Oversee and evaluate kennels, exercise yards and areas within the whelping kennel complex to ensure they are properly cleaned and disinfected using approved cleaning tools and methods and are maintained to agency’s standards. 
• Responsible for upkeep of all Whelping Center equipment including repairs, warranties and annual maintenance. 
• Maintain whelping center permits with support from the Canine Companions Veterinary Clinic if applicable. 

Administration 

• Work with Canine Travel Coordinator to ensure all transports are confirmed prior to the departure date. 
• Create and manage kennel care logs and data entry of newborn litter and puppy weights. 
• Ensure proper staffing and coverage for managers' assigned shifts. 
• Ensure veterinary information is reported, entered, and provided to the National Veterinary Clinic. 
• Responsible for ordering supplies/creating purchase orders and attaching invoices and receipts to purchase orders. 
• Supervise, train, and evaluate whelping center staff. This includes regular 1:1’s as well as all other designated performance evaluations.
• Train volunteers to ensure volunteers have proper instruction and supervision prior to engaging in duties. 
• Monitor volunteer & bathing socialization programs. 
• Keeping staff informed through email and participation in regular department meetings. 
• Provide high-quality customer service. 
• Maintain protocol and procedural records. 
• Maintain capacity tracking and litter turn-in balance. 
• Be accountable not only for direct responsibilities outlined in this job description but also to serve fellow staff and other constituents with whom the position interacts. Ensure actions and communications follow core values. 

EXPECTATIONS:

To be successful in this position:

MUST HAVES:

• Ability to perform several tasks concurrently, time management and good organizational and communication skills. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative work spirit. 
• Excellent customer service and communication skills. 
• Ability to multi-task, excellent planning, organizing, time and work management. 
• Ability to organize and maintain accurate and detailed records; complete necessary paperwork and meet deadlines. 
• Ability to lift 65 lbs. and restrain active dogs weighing up to 100 lbs. 
• Ability to work, standing or walking on cement for extended periods of time. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to efficiently and effectively use software packages (Microsoft Suite, Basic PC troubleshooting, HR timecard systems, EMR systems a plus, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Database, etc.). 
• Familiarity with dog training and behavior, animal health and disability awareness and sensitivity. 
• Must possess general knowledge of dog health care and animal husbandry practices.
• 1-2 years of managerial or supervisory experience (Veterinary/Shelter/Kennel/Whelping).
• Must have a valid driver’s license. 

NICE TO HAVES:

• Veterinary technician training or experience preferred.
• RVT certification a plus. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Work indoors performing whelping duties. 

SCHEDULE: Full Time. Morning or swing shift - 1:00pm-10:00pm - 7am-4pm. Ability to work all shift hours including overnights, weekends and holidays when necessary. 

PAY: $66,650 – $67,500 per year

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.

The base salary range below represents the low and high of the Indeed salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of total compensation package for employees. 

Pursuant to local Fair Chance Ordinances, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.