Lead Service Dog Trainer (Experience Required)

***At least 3 years of professional service dog training experience is required to be eligible for this position. ***

If interested, please complete an application on our website.

https://www.soncarefoundation.org/employment

New Life K9s Role and Responsibilities

Objective: To help New Life K9s produce healthy, happy, confident, and reliable service dogs.

Primary Responsibilities

• The primary role for this position is Prison Program Coordination.
• Through the use of effective dog training methods, educate incarcerated individuals to teach dogs the skills necessary to become service dogs for disabled Veterans or First Responders.
• Monitor the progress of the dogs in the program and work with the incarcerated handlers to ensure each dog is set up for success.
• Help read journals and homework assignments from the dog handlers of assigned teams and provide written feedback.
• Communicate with the New Life K9s team and prison liaisons to ensure the program continues to operate successfully.
• Assist with tracking each incarcerated individual's rehabilitative progress.
• Attend training and seminars to stay up to date with the service dog training community and prison rehabilitation methods.
• Keep the New Life K9s database up to date and accurate.
• Suggest changes to procedures, policies, and program material to ensure New Life K9s provides effective rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals.

Other Responsibilities - as needed

• Teach potential service dog recipients how to work with their matched dog during placement.
• Attend community events to educate the public about service dogs, and raise awareness and gain support for the New Life K9s program.
• Participate in New Life K9s team meetings to continue staff dog training development
• Follow up with Service Dog recipients as scheduled to assess adherence to ADI standards.
• Assist Service Dog recipients with additional training as needed.
• Help maintain the cleanliness of the New Life K9s campus grounds
• Assist with public outings with puppy raisers and/or assigned dogs, as needed
• Assist with the training of dogs at New Life K9s campus grounds and out in public
• Grooming of dogs at New Life K9s campus grounds
• Pick up or drop off dogs from prison programs
• Help with other needs under the discretion of the Program Manager

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• You must be passionate about working with people and dogs.
• At least three years of experience in training service dogs with positive dog training methods. **REQUIRED**
• Experience training service dogs parallel to ADI standards is highly preferred.
• Experience interacting with justice-involved individuals is preferred.
• Must be comfortable navigating Mac Operating Systems, Google Docs, task management programs, and online database systems.
• You must be able to obtain a Contractor card from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation once hired. This process includes a thorough background check.

Additional Notes

• This is a full-time position. (Tuesday - Saturday)
• Position will be hourly. The maximum total hours per week will be 40.
• Starting pay is based on experience.
• Typical work week would be Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00am to 5:30pm.
• Traveling to California State Prisons using a company vehicle is required.

Benefit Information

• 15 days of paid time off per year (5 hours accrued per pay period).
• Can be used for vacation and/or sick time.
• Free daycare, boarding, and grooming services for your own pets at Thousand Hills Pet Resort.
• 25% off pet dog training services at Gentle Touch Pet Training.
• 6 paid holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's).
• $130 monthly health insurance premium reimbursement program (QSEHRA).

Please complete an application on our website if interested. https://www.soncarefoundation.org/employment

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid training
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance