Puppy Development Advisor

A little about us:

EverAbility Group have a long and proud history of providing services for people with disabilities across Western Australia and Tasmania.  Together, our team of nearly 200 staff and over 500 volunteers support our growing group of diverse services. This opens up a world of possibilities for our clients – and also opens up a host of career opportunities for you!

Our growing family of services at EverAbility Group include:

VisAbility - our specialised service supporting people with blindness or vision impairment.

Guide Dogs WA and Guide Dogs Tasmania – our iconic service raising and training life changing assistance dogs.

Kites Children’s Therapy – our early intervention support, advice and solutions service transforming the lives of children and their families living with disability or developmental challenges.

Perron Place - our innovative and collaborative community centre.

This position contributes to Guide Dogs Tasmania’s Puppy Development program, supporting volunteers and pups to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality Guide and Assistance dogs ready to enter formal training.

In addition, this position will be actively involved in the operation of the Guide Dog Tasmania breeding program, overseeing the care of the broods during the whelping and puppy rearing process, and supporting visits through our Facility Dog Program.

This role is physically demanding with frequent walking, bending, and dealing with the needs of a young dog. The ability to interact with people, especially our volunteers with a high level of empathy, compassion and care is integral to this role.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Support the recruitment and training of new Puppy Development Volunteers including raisers, and boarders.
• Recruitment and support of bed and breakfast boarders in consultation with Guide Dog Trainers.
• Facilitate home assessments for Puppy Development Volunteers to ensure appropriate selection of Volunteers.
• Work within the Puppy Development team to provide development, training and support to Puppy Development Volunteers including group, home visits and one on one training opportunities.
• Liaise with Puppy Development Volunteers as directed by the Guide Dog Staff and assist with advice in readiness for intake of pup to training.
• Support early socialisation and development of litters in conjunction with breeding stock volunteers.
• In collaboration with Puppy Development Team undertake puppy assessments on temperament and skill level at pre-determined times to ensure it is reaching an appropriate development milestone.
• Identify temperamental and behavioural issues and ensure the application of appropriate solutions.
• Ensure all pups/dogs under your supervision receive appropriate care and monitor their welfare highlighting any health issues and promptly refer them to be reviewed, as necessary.
• Report and document all accidents and incidents relating to dogs and with third parties, in line with current safety and health policies.
• Allocate appropriate placements of pups in to volunteer homes for raising and boarding to enable best socialisation and development of pups.

Skills and attributes required:

Essential:

• Demonstrated experience in puppy training and early socialisation, dog handling and assessment of temperamental and behavioural traits and behavioural modification techniques.
• Ability to relate to dogs of all ages and at various levels of training.
• Be proficient in positive reinforcement training methods.
• Experience working with volunteers and an ability to show empathy when interacting with volunteers.
• Skills in problem analysis and the ability to recognise changes in dog behaviour.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake a methodical approach to your work through to completion, while maintaining flexibility and adaptability to varying workloads and tasks
• High level of initiative, while still being able to work under direction.
• Ability to work well within a team, as well as independently, assuming responsibility for nominated tasks.
• Effective communication skills both oral and written.
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in use of Microsoft Office programs.
• Availability to work flexible work hours including weekends and evenings especially when litters are born.
• Valid drivers licence

Desirable:

• Experience in breeding and raising pups.
• Knowledge/experience in Veterinary nursing.
• Up-to-date knowledge of Guide Dog Training theory and practices.
• Awareness of the needs of people who are blind or vision impaired.
• Broad base of experience in one or more IGDF or ADI accredited organisations.
• National Police Check.
• NDIS Worker Screening Check.

Benefits: 
In return, you will be rewarded with:

• Three additional days of paid leave as a gift to you over the Christmas / New Year period
• Ongoing professional development and training
• Employee Assistance Program
• NFP salary packaging options – use some of your salary for everyday expenses before income tax; meaning you can increase your take-home pay!

How to apply?

If you’re ready to help us, make a difference, click Apply and let’s chat about what life looks like at EverAbility.

For further information please contact Kim Ryan via kim.ryan@guidedogstas.com.au 

We encourage people with disability and of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background to apply. Everyone is welcome, as we are an inclusive and diverse workplace.