NEADS World Class Service Dogs Changes Lives. The Early Learning Center Supervisor will contribute to the NEADS mission byoverseeing the daily operations of the Early Learning Center (ELC) at NEADS main campus in Princeton, MA. The ELC is a facility that houses puppies that are 8-16 weeks of age. Staff and volunteers work puppies through the process of housebreaking, crate training, and learning how to walk on a leash while continuing their socialization to sounds, surfaces, novel objects, and experiences in the world which are the foundation to each puppy’s Service Dog training journey.
Prior to entering the ELC, puppies are raised in the nursery at the NEADS Breeding Center, and after the ELC, the puppies move into a training slot with a volunteer puppy raiser or with an incarcerated individual in a correctional facility. The goal of the ELC is to ensure continuity of the training program through these transitions while optimizing each puppy for Service Dog training success.
Initially, this position will operate the ELC out of the breeding kennel in the NEADS Breeding Center until a renovation of the physical space of the ELC on NEADS main campus is completed.
Primary responsibilities:
- Interact with puppies using canine handling skills approved by NEADS Training Staff which follow Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) methods in accordance with training standards set by Assistance Dogs International (ADI).
- Ensure the safety and well-being of dogs, including but not limited to:
- Reporting all health issues to the Director of Veterinary Medicine
- Maintaining safe living conditions for all puppies
- Properly preparing and feeding meals and distributing all medications
- Bathing and grooming puppies as needed
- Providing canine enrichment
- Develop puppy profiles that share socialization progress, strengths and weaknesses, and type of handler best paired with the puppy. These puppy profiles will be shared with colleagues in the puppy raising and training departments.
- Ensure thorough sanitation of the ELC (kennels, crates, outdoor play yards, and indoor playrooms) including:
- Proper disposal and surface cleaning of puppy and dog elimination
- The proper use and application of approved chemical products
- Recruit, onboard, and support ELC on-campus volunteers
- Oversee and update the Weekend Puppy Sitter program including recruiting, onboarding, scheduling, and supporting weekend puppy sitters
- Enter all pertinent data into Salesforce and IDEXX Neo
- Follow all established NEADS protocols, procedures, and policies
- Communicate clearly and appropriately with all staff, volunteers, clients, and visitors
- Interact in a professional manner with all staff, volunteers, clients, and visitors
- Be well versed in NEADS program offerings, history, and overall Mission
Qualifications:
· Hands on experience working in animal husbandry or care
· Four-year degree or equivalent education in animal behavior, zoology or related field preferred.
· Experience working with volunteers a plus
Position requirements:
· Strong working knowledge of canine behavior and husbandry skills
· Effective communication skills
· Strong computer and data entry skills
· Ability to make decisions and work independently as well as collaborate within a team
· Ability to lift 50 lbs
· Ability to work in both indoor and outdoor environments
· Ability to stay on campus overnight in the event of a weather emergency such as a snowstorm
· Physical demands: moderate to active. This position is a mixture of computer & desk work combined with hands-on dog care and socialization
· Typically works Monday-Friday. Occasional night, weekend, and holiday hours as needed
· Comfortable working in a fast-paced, frequently changing work environment
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $17.00 - $18.50 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Schedule:
Work Location: In person