Manager of Training

Overview of the position:  

Help fulfill NEADS’ mission – “World Class Service Dogs Change Lives” – to the fullest extent through the oversight and management of the Service Dog training program at NEADS, with the goal of increasing annual client matches and providing multiple avenues for task training Service Dogs. Working within the parameters of the established NEADS Service Dog training program, manage a team of staff trainers, work with the Department of Corrections in several states, and collaborate with other canine-related departments at NEADS to ensure continuity of quality and success. Oversee facility-based client training for groups of clients and provide follow-up to support successful client-dog partnerships for the lifetime of each dog. The ideal candidate has a strong working knowledge of the disabled community.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Lead and manage the training staff, comprised of apprentice trainers through senior training personnel, including hiring, onboarding, coaching & mentoring, navigating conflicts, succession planning, and performance evaluation.
2. Maintain and strengthen the Prison PUP Program partnership between NEADS and the Department of Corrections in several states to facilitate the task training of program dogs in correctional settings with incarcerated individuals, overseen by volunteer prison liaisons.
3. Support and expand the on-campus “string” training program, in which NEADS trainers are responsible for training Service Dogs housed in the Hawkins Canine Center.
4. Train Service Dogs using Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) methods in accordance with training standards set by Assistance Dogs International (ADI).
5. Collaborate extensively with all departments involved in the movement of dogs through the organization: breeding, puppy raising, medical, and client services.
   • Breeding: provide temperament and training information on individual dogs as well as trends across the program to identify areas of improvement for breeding to target.
   • Puppy Raising: collaborate to maintain appropriate socialization curricula for volunteer puppy raisers and smoothly transition dogs from the puppy raising program to prison or campus training programs. Regularly review and update curricula as needed.
   • Medical & Canine Center: Report any medical issues to veterinary staff; follow medical directives from the Director of Veterinary Medicine. Work with the Hawkins Canine Center staff to promote the safety and well-being of Service Dogs in Training living on campus.
   • Client Services: work closely with client services to identify appropriate Service Dog matches for clients on the accepted client list, oversee facility-based client training for groups of clients, provide follow up to support successful client-dog partnerships for the lifetime of each dog.
6. Assess each Service Dog to determine the most appropriate career path within NEADS’ program offerings. Make behavioral release recommendations as needed, work with the veterinary staff to make medical release recommendations as needed and adopt out released dogs to best fit homes.
7. Attend production and management team meetings and submit a monthly report to the CEO.
8. Maintain department data; analyze data to identify trends and improve training outcomes.

Qualifications: 

• Four-year degree or equivalent education preferred.
• 3-5 years leadership or managerial experience.
• Hands-on experience training dogs a plus.
• Experience in the service, guide, or working dog field a plus.
• Experience working with people with disabilities a plus

Position Requirements:

• Strong, effective communication skills
• Able to make decisions and work independently as well as within a team
• High emotional intelligence
• Ability to lift 50 lbs
• Physical demands: moderate to active
• Occasional night and weekend hours as needed
• Must be comfortable working in a correctional institution
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, frequently changing work environment

Salary:

• Depending on experience

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to Inga Hotaling, Senior Recruiter , via this form: