What are the responsibilities and job description for the Year Round - Dog Hiking Specialist position at Shoreline Happy Paws?
Shoreline Happy Paws is hiring a Dog Hiking Specialist to lead small-group hikes through Connecticut's most beautiful woods, beaches, and trails. This is a year round position.
You'll Love This Job If You
- Would rather be in the woods than anywhere else
- Light up at the challenge of teaching a group of dogs to walk nicely on leash together
- Want a workday that ends muddy, tired, and happy
If that sounds like you, this one might be yours.
What You'll Do
This is primarily a hiking role. You'll also be performing dog walks, yard let-outs and potty breaks, and visiting clients' homes for dog walking or pet sitting appointments. This can include cats.
- Lead structured small-group hikes on local trails, beaches, and woods
- Coach dogs into great leash manners, solo and as a pack
- Walk dogs in neighborhoods when hikes aren't on the schedule
- Handle yard let-outs and potty breaks
- Visit clients' homes for dog walking or pet sitting (cats included)
- Provide vacation drop-in care
- Send photo updates and visit reports that make clients smile
- Drive between visits across our service area
- Expand your knowledge with contuing education about dog behavior
Schedule
- Part-time, your choice: anywhere from 10 to 25 hrs/week
- We just ask for consistency in your weekly schedule
- Year-round role (no summer-only hires)
- Primary need: Tues/Wed/Thurs, 9 AM to 1 PM or 10 AM to 2 PM
- Mon to Fri also considered
- Optional evenings, weekends, and overnights if you want them
Pay & Benefits
- $16.94/hour during paid training
- $17 to $25/hour dog hiking pay
- New hires start at the low end of the range. You will not start at the mid or top. Raises come with tenure and performance.
- Flexible schedule
- Higher pay through advancement into leadership roles and tenure
- Tips, mileage reimbursement, PTO, holiday pay, end-of-year bonuses
- Paid Pet CPR certification and education stipend (dog training, Pet CPR Instructor)
- Costco membership, employee discounts, referral program
- W-2 employment with workers' comp and liability insurance
Service Area (must live in or very near - no exceptions)
Essex, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Deep River, Chester, Haddam, Higganum, East Lyme, Niantic, Waterford, Groton, New London
What We're Looking For
- Dog Lovers who are 18 years old
- Genuine love for animals; patient and respectful
- Reliable, communicative, detail-oriented
- Calm and confident around fearful, reactive, or excitable dogs
- Comfortable, even happy, outdoors in all weather
- Able to handle large or strong dogs (90 lbs)
- Physically active. Cam hike several miles a day over uneven terrain
- Reliable vehicle, valid license, clean driving record, current auto insurance
- Smartphone with data and ability to pass a background check
After applying, please check your texts and email so we don't miss you!
Instagram: instagram.com/cthappypaws
Come walk with us. Grow with us.
Salary : $17 - $25