POSITION TITLE
Canine Welfare Technician I
REPORTS TO
Canine Welfare Kennel Manager
SUMMARY
A Canine Welfare Technician I provides physical and psychological care to dogs (training, breeding evaluation, career change, boarding guides and puppies, and retired guides) that are being kenneled at our facilities. This entails feeding, bathing and medicating dogs; maintaining a clean kennel environment; occasional data entry; and reception duties related to arrival and release of dogs. This position requires solid teamwork and excellent communications skills.
FUNCTIONS
- Provide basic as well as specialized care of kenneled dogs, including kennel enrichment, performing physicals on newly arrived dogs, feeding, walking, exercising, transporting, weighing, grooming, bathing and preparing and dispensing dog food, including special diets. Keep precise feeding records.
- Administer basic treatments and medications to kenneled dogs; report health or behavioral changes. Provide post-operative and/or physical therapy as prescribed for Vet Clinic dogs when needed under established programs.
- Maintain good verbal and written communications with co-workers, teammates, instructors, and supervisor. Maintain written records on dog care and other duties performed each week. Participate in meetings, educational sessions, and other group forums.
- Clean individual kennels and maintain a sanitary kennel environment.
- Maintain precise kennel records of dogs moving into or out of kennel, following GDB procedures to assure complete and accurate information reaches appropriate personnel.
- Monitor and control dogs running together in community runs.
- This person(s) also provides assistance in the class setting by providing staff coverage for the dormitory overnight. This includes assisting students with general dog care and handling matters that arise outside of guidework, managing any critical situations requiring immediate intervention, reporting noteworthy incidents to instructors. Maintaining cleanliness in the dorm, class relieving areas and vehicles is expected.
- Interact with the public and volunteers; assist with the intake and release of dogs.
- Adhere to our organization's safety policies and procedures, and encourage others to do the same. Promptly report incidents and accidents according to campus procedures.
- Conduct campus tours and provide general assistance on graduations. Represent GDB at special functions.
- Undertake driving duties, which may include student pick up and/or drop off and other miscellaneous assignments, which includes dog transport to and from airports, outside veterinary clinics and other as needed. These duties may at times require driving large vehicles such as the class bus.
REQUIREMENTS
- Prior experience caring for dogs in a kennel or vet environment, or other animal care or training positions in a professional capacity is preferred.
- Able to work weekends, evenings, holidays, and spend nights in the dormitory.
- Good interpersonal skills and a pleasant manner dealing with other staff, clients, and the public.
- Must safely handle a variety of large breed dogs, weighing up to 90 pounds, with varying strength and manageability. Able to safely lift up to 40 pounds. Employees are required to seek assistance when lifting dogs or objects weighing more than 40 pounds.
- Able to communicate via voice mail and e-mail; able to perform basic word processing and database tasks.
- Ability to remain on one's feet, standing, or walking all day on cement.
- Ability to withstand up to 2 hours of repetitive bending, stooping, kneeling, and squatting.
- Current driver's license and insurability at normal risk rates.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Full-time, non-exempt position. Work schedule will include weekend days, holidays, and some shift work,
Apply now! Can't access our online application for employment? Send us your cover letter and resume by e-mail to icareer@guidedogs.com. Be sure to type only "Canine Welfare Technician I - California" in the subject line of your e-mail.
All applicants will receive a reply.