Job Title: Dog Care Supervisor
This role supports the Dog Care and Breeding Manager in recruiting, training, and managing volunteers and day-to-day operations to ensure the mental and physical welfare needs of dogs in training are met.
Key Responsibilities:
* Recruit, train, support, mentor, and coach the Dog Care and Welfare team to deliver high-quality care and management to our dogs.
* Ensure our dogs' needs are met through the provision of the five welfare domains (nutrition, environment, health, mental state, and behavioral interactions).
* Robustly manage staff learning and training outcomes during onboarding.
* Conduct regular performance management and staff training activities within the team.
* Provide relevant and appropriate CPD opportunities for staff.
* Provide expertise and knowledge in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of medical care for our dogs.
* Maintain disease control, disinfection, and cleaning standards and regularly review the performance of processes.
* Facilitate logistics and movements required when accommodating training dogs or other dogs on site.
* Identify and flag temperamental and behavioral issues in dogs and work with appropriate staff to manage and modify these behaviors.
* Support the recruitment, training, and management of volunteers who support dogs in homes or work on behalf of the Dog Care and Welfare team.
* Oversee, monitor, and improve processes and procedures operated by the team to ensure required welfare standards are met.
* Propose, support, and drive the implementation of change initiatives to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Dog Care and Welfare department.
* Efficiently maintain and order stock and supplies in line with processes.
* Maintain accurate and up-to-date records on our database system, PAWS.
* Ensure the effective deployment/rostering of staff to ensure the efficient running of the kennels.
* Provide scheduled reports to the Dog Care and Breeding Manager such as welfare statistics, dog numbers, etc.
* Prepare selected dogs according to the pre-determined training programme to ensure dogs are supplied within the desired time frame and quality.
* Assist in dog care elements of training for other departments, clients, Puppy Raisers, Apprentice Guide Dog Mobility Instructors, and others when required.
* Report and document all accidents and incidents relating to dogs and third parties in line with current health and safety policies.
* Work as part of a team to support each other and, from time to time, other teams, such as fundraising, to ensure the efficient and effective operations of the organization.
* Implement effective infection control and preventative initiatives.
Person Specification:
* Veterinary nursing or animal care qualification and experience.
* Experience supporting canine welfare and a good working knowledge of up-to-date ethics and practices.
* Excellent people management skills, including coaching and teaching.
* IT skills that cover most Microsoft applications.
* Resilient, optimistic, and positive attitude.
* Experience taking people through changes in ways of working and culture.
* Knowledge of dog training and behavior modification approaches.
* Good evidence of working with others to resolve issues and problems.
* Experience and exposure to working with service dogs and their users.
* Experience working with and supporting volunteers.
* Evidence of continued professional development to enhance knowledge and experience relevant to the role.
Special Conditions:
* Full clean driving license essential.
* Must be eligible to work in Ireland and the EU.
* Subject to full Garda vetting.
* Required to be on call outside of normal business hours which may include coming on site to deal with any breeding or dog-related issues that arise.
* Required to be on call every two weeks.
* Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and bank holidays as required on an ad hoc basis and acceptance of the need to travel.