Apprentice, Guide Dog Program

Apprenticeship:  The guide dog apprenticeship program consists of three phases.  Each phase will last no less than one year and is to be completed in no more than 18 months.  Each phase has specific requirements to move on to the next phase.  Responsibility for dog care, dog training, and client instruction will increase with each phase of the apprenticeship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Independent Action Required for:

• Feed and exercise animals and provide other general care such as grooming daily
• Transport dogs daily to training routes or events
• Provide demos on and off campus to educate members of the public on the Guide Dog process
• Maintain a high level of physical fitness to safely perform the range of required duties

Act and Report Results of:

• Complete requirements of a customized Apprenticeship Program including, but not limited to, assigned reading, training, and documentation
• Observe animals’ physical conditions in order to detect illness or unhealthy conditions requiring medical care
• Conduct training routes and follow guide dog training curriculum in order to develop and maintain desired behaviors
• Administer prescribed medications to animals
• Keep records documenting animal health, diet, behavior and training progress
• Ensure the physical and emotional needs of our dogs in training are met
• Conduct pre-admission home visits as needed (travel within and outside of the state)
• Provide follow up services to active graduates (travel within and outside of the state)
• Provide home training to clients when needed
• Record activities and outcomes in appropriate database
• Work well in a team environment
• Be a core member of the training team during on campus class instruction of guide dog clients including overnight stay, evening, weekend and holiday hours
• Provide customer service to members of the public and visitors to Dogs Inc
• Participate in presentations, conferences, media appearances, etc. to promote Dogs Inc
• Other duties as assigned

Act only after Supervisor Approval

• Match handlers with dogs
• Transport clients during class
• Instruct clients

Education and/or Experience

Four year college degree strongly preferred. Prior experience in positive reinforcement animal training will take preference but not required.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before members of the public, volunteers, and other employees.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to perform calculations in standard measures of American currency and weight, volume and distance.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram/chart, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

The following computer skills are required to perform essential duties of the job:

• Ability to use basic levels of Microsoft office including Outlook and Excel
• Ability to read data from a databases such as IWDR

Certificates and/or Licenses

The following licenses or certificates are required to perform the essential duties of the job:

• Valid Driver’s License

Internal Contacts

This position will have frequent communications with the following internal positions:

• Communicate daily with the Team Leads and/or Directors of Training along with other members of the training team regarding dog behavior/training as well as student evaluations
• Communicate as needed with the Director of Admissions regarding class, follow ups, and home interviews
• Communicate as needed with the other training departments. 
• Communicate daily with Canine Keepers and the Kennel Manager regarding dog behavior or additional care needed for an individual dog
• Communicate as needed with medical department regarding any medical concerns or follow up for medical needs of dogs
• Communicate with program applicants, clients in training, and program graduates
• Communicate as needed with volunteers at the Dogs Inc Campus. 

External Contacts

This position will have frequent communications with the following external groups.

• Puppy Raisers and Puppy Parent Hosts to assist with a training need

• Members of the general public who are interested in the organization
• Dogs Inc volunteers

Physical Demands

Must be able to meet the following physical demands to perform the essential duties of the job:

• Stand for over 2/3 of the work day

• Walk for over 2/3 of the work day

• Sit under 1/3 of the work day

• Use fingers and hands over 2/3’s of the work day

• Reach with hands and arms for over 2/3 of the work day

• Climb or balance under 1/3 of the work day

• Talk or hear over 2/3 of the work day

• Taste or smell 1/3 to 2/3’s of the work day

• Lift up to 40lbs independently and up to 80lbs with a co-worker

•  Have close, distance, color, peripheral vision and depth perception as well as the ability to adjust focus of the eyes

Work Environment

This job requires exposure to the following environmental conditions:

• Outdoor weather over 2/3 of the time

Working Relations

This position must meet the following qualities in order to add to a positive team environment: 

• Be willing to work with and help others

• Accept constructive criticism

• Have a positive attitude and cooperativeness with fellow employees and supervisors
• Communicates professionally and appropriately with clients, volunteers, and pack members

• Steadily works with minimum amount of supervision

• Follows instructions and shows initiative

• Have very good attendance record, rarely absent or tardy
• All pack members are responsible for keeping the grounds of Dogs Inc safe and clean. Reporting or fixing safety hazards, picking up trash and assisting our guests and volunteers are required of all employees.

Resource Development/Marketing

Salary : $15,000