Director of Canine Development
New Today
Salary: $100,000 - $125,000 per year
About the Organization
Liberty Dogs is a premier service dog training program whose goal is to empower Veterans with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives - enhancing their well-being through the unconditional support that Liberty Service Dogs provides. Located on a 27-acre campus, it includes a training facility, dog housing, an administrative and multipurpose building, and accommodations for Veterans staying on campus to train with their Liberty Service Dogs.
Primary Purpose
Serve as the Manager for the Puppy Raiser and Volunteer Program, Prison Program, and Adoption Program. For the Puppy Raiser and Prison Programs, this position will develop, implement, and coordinate all aspects of each individual program to ensure that puppies are successfully raised, trained, and developmentally prepared for advancement into the advanced Service Dog training program. For the Adoption Program, this position will oversee and monitor all dogs that are career-changed, ensuring they move through the system efficiently and quickly to their ultimate placement.
Responsibilities:
Oversee and manage Coordinators. This includes reaching set metrics for acceptance into the advanced training programs or efficiently redirecting dogs into career change programs within appropriate timelines
Supervise, coach, and train staff, providing continuing education and development opportunities. Manage work activities and progression to develop staff competence, optimize performance, and ensure job satisfaction.
Oversee puppy and dog assignments to respective coordinators for appropriate workload distribution within each program.
Coordinate with the Dog Training Team.
Set goals and priorities, monitor the status of work, and inspect the training progression of puppies and dogs in each program.
Calibrate training protocols between the dog training program, puppy coordinator, and prison coordinator positions.
Assign Maddies Fund coursework and continuing education requirements to individual coordinator programs, overseeing attendance and participation.
Ensure prison coordinators understand and are able to administer Maddies Fund coursework to offender handlers. Oversee collaboration between prison regulations and the integration of Maddies Fund coursework.
Monitor and ensure that all puppy and dog training conducted is in compliance with the LIMA protocol, best practices, and company policy.
Maintain departmental budgets within organizational limits. Provide input to the Director of Canine Programs regarding departmental budgetary needs.
Assist the VP of Canine Programs with initiatives relating to internal programs and process improvements, working to establish, implement, and evaluate goals for each coordinatorprogram.14.Provide monthly reports on system details and needed changes, including details of the respective programs and dogs assigned to each program, progression of dogs ,programmatic goals, and expenses to the VP of Canine Programs.
Research and draft policies and procedures for the Coordinator training programs as requested by the VP of Canine Programs; maintain and administer approved policies and procedures.
Work with the Dog Training Team to establish training protocols and set clear expectations and time frames for dogs progressing through each individual program.
Observe and participate in the evaluation of dogs presented for acceptance into theadvanced training program.
Ensure that dogs being repurposed for career change are transitioned in the most efficient manner possible. Track processes to reduce stress and achieve successful outcomes for the dogs entered into the program
Ensure that the prison program and puppy raising program administer six-month and one-year temperament testing and skills assessments. Ensure data is collected and entered into the D&CL tracker.
Track and monitor the intake and success rate for shelter dogs accepted into the program.
Review all weekly training reports from the Puppy and Prison Programs, ensuring that coordinators overseeing assigned teams have the training and ability to administer remedial behavioral programs when needed
Identify and develop additional prisons for expansion. Ensure that prison coordinators are supported and understand the criteria for developing additional programs. Additionally, identify prison programs outside of Nevada for potential development.
Additional Duties
Communicate effectively with the VP of Canine Programs on relevant issues keeping them informed properly
Interact with coworkers efficiently and courteously to ensure a cooperative team environment among departments. Address departmental problems when necessary and related to areas of responsibility. Communicate with other departments as needed to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
Identify needs for repairs and or replacement of equipment, when necessary, communicate with VP of Canine Programs, VP of Operations, and Facilities Manager. Report and correct any safety hazards or unsafe use of Liberty Dogs equipment. Assist with safety compliance responsibilities.
Attend and participate in departmental, management, and facility-wide meetings. Attend educational training/seminars as recommended or approved. Participate in continuing education related to dog training and behavior, and innovative training/teaching methods, mental health, disabilities, animal assisted therapy, and related Veteran needs.
Participate in disaster preparedness and response activities related to Veterans, staff, and dog needs.
Communicate emergency response plans (fire, power outage, earthquake, active shooter, bomb threat, etc.) to staff and Veterans.
Understand infectious disease controls defined by the organization, communicate them, and take action to help protect Veterans, staff, and dogs.
Present a positive and professional image of Liberty Dogs to the public.
Perform other duties as assigned by the VP of Canine Programs and the CEO
Minimum Qualifications:
Advanced degree or significant relevant experience in service dog training, animal behavior, animal-assisted therapy, biology, zoology, veterinary technology, kennel management, education, or a closely related field.
Two years in a supervisory and management position responsible for the performance of five or more employees.
Five (5) years of service dog training experience, including a minimum of three (3) years with an Assistance Dogs International (ADI) accredited agency.
Experience in instructing novice trainers and training Service Dogs for a minimum of two years or related experience.
Experience in evaluating the temperament of successful service dog candidates.
Must have a working understanding of ADI accreditation standards and ethics and be able to produce effective working teams that meet or exceed ADI standards (i.e., Public Access Test, demonstration of tasks).
Must be competent in all tasks assigned to a kennel technician and coordinator trainer position within an affiliate ADI organization.
Must possess up-to-date knowledge of best practices in learning theory, dog behavior, care and safety, and a variety of positive reinforcement training techniques.
Must have current knowledge of best practices for enforcing the LIMA principle regarding working with and training service dogs.
Experience and understanding of techniques for working with people with disabilities.
Proven and demonstrable knowledge of leadership and management skills.
Requires a high level of integrity.
Ability to lead and motivate groups and individuals. Able to think creatively and strategically, and effectively manage a large staff, multiple deadlines, and tight time constraints.
Professional in appearance and behavior.
Must be goal-oriented, a self-starter with a willingness to go beyond prescribed work and time schedules.
Must be confident with current computer skills, including the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), social media, databases, Internet navigation, and research.
Possession of a valid drivers license with a clean driving and criminal record.
General Qualifications:
Must have a passion for animals and show empathy and compassion for veteran clients, as well as support the mission of the Liberty Dogs program.
Must treat animals humanely, with love and concern both on and off the job, and transmit these values to others.
Must adhere to all local laws regarding personally owned animals.
A positive attitude is a must!
Additional Qualifications That Would Benefit This Position:
Veteran status is a plus.
Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
.Graduation from a dog training school or program.
Certification as an ADI instructor.
Prior background in animal shelter medicine, canine-specific diseases, and standards of cleaning/disinfection.
Bilingual is considered an advantage.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Retirement plan
Vision insurance
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law .
- Location:
- Reno
- Job Type:
- FullTime
- Category:
- Education