Trainee Guide Dog Trainer

Company: Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Location: Yorktown Heights
Posted on: May 16, 2022

Job Description:

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is hiring! Trainee Guide Dog Trainer Yorktown Heights, New York

Organization Overview:

Guiding Eyes for the Blind provides guide dogs to people with vision loss. We are passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals for greater independence. Guiding Eyes for the Blind is dedicated to creating and supporting life-changing connections between people and dogs.
At our facilities in Yorktown Heights, NY, and Patterson, NY, we breed, raise, and train exceptional dogs. Then we connect them to people who are seeking increased freedom and independence, so that together, they can experience all kinds of life adventures.

Position Overview:

This is an assignment for a 1.5-year development program to train for a potential role as a Guide Dog Trainer. * In this program you will prepare assigned dogs to a state of readiness to be matched with a person who is blind in Guiding Eyes' guide dog instruction program. Provide a positive emotional, behavioral, and physical environment for all assigned dogs. Participate in public relations and public education events. Ability to demonstrate, understand, and apply the values of Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
This position will report to our Yorktown Heights, NY campus, Monday-Friday. Ability to work a flexible schedule is a must - including nights, holidays, weekends as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

Start a string of eight (8) dogs, 2-3 times per year
Conduct foundation training (16 weeks) and possibly customized training (4 weeks) with assigned dogs
Blindfold work with assigned dogs
Train dogs as assigned, to a condition of class readiness in obedience and guide work skills
Participate in daily cleaning, disinfecting and other routine maintenance of the kennel and associated facilities
Assist in daily feeding and monitoring the diets of all dogs in the kennel facility
Provide a constant positive image of Guiding Eyes through appropriate dress and conduct while working with dogs
Participate in public relations and public education efforts by giving talks, presentations, demonstrations, and tours of the training school and/or training kennel
May be asked to fill in for Foundation GDMIs when not training assigned dogs
May be assigned boarding guides, returned guides, and placement-ready guides
May be asked to pick up and drop off guide dogs in the field
Travel Requirements
Day trips as needed or assigned
Overnights during the year (may include weekends)
Airline travel in the U.S. and Canada

Qualifications

Must be comfortable wearing and working under a blindfold for extensive periods of time
Experience working and training dogs
Able to lift 40 pounds and handle large, active dogs
Stand, walk long distances indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions (average of 3-10 miles per training day)
Demonstrated ability to communicate at a high level both verbally and in writing
Valid driver's license
Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays to fulfill the requirements of training
Must be able to travel by car, train, airplane as required
Strong interpersonal skills
Bachelor's Degree preferred
Must be familiar with Microsoft Outlook Suite, Salesforce

Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination Status
Guiding Eyes requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated for at least two weeks before commencing work, unless they meet a legally required exemption. New hires are required to present proof of their vaccinated status, such as their CDC Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card or an official immunization record from the jurisdiction, state, or country where the vaccine was administered; or a New York State Excelsior Pass, or a New York City COVID Safe Pass.
Comprehensive benefits package including healthcare (Med/Den/Vis) and 403(b) plan
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F, D/V
Must be authorized to work in the United States.
*As an assignment, after the 1.5-year program has ended, there is no guarantee of employment nor a guarantee of becoming a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor.
The above job description is intended to be a general description of the requirements and duties of this assignment. It is one of inclusion, not exclusion. Any Guiding Eyes for the Blind employee must be willing to perform tasks not specified within their job description, so long as those tasks are in the best interests of Guiding Eyes for the Blind and are tasks which the individual is capable of performing.
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Keywords: Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Danbury , Trainee Guide Dog Trainer, Human Resources , Yorktown Heights, Connecticut