Puppy Program Trainer – Apprentice Level 1 (Burnaby) | Accepting Applications

OVERVIEW

Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) is seeking an experienced Puppy Program Trainer – Apprentice Level 1 to join our team in Burnaby! At Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS), we’re dedicated to changing lives, one dog at a time. We’re looking for a passionate and skilled individual to join us as Puppy Program Trainer, helping us fulfill our mission of providing assistance dogs to our waiting clients. 

ABOUT US

At PADS, we foster a constructive, cooperative, and welcoming team setting.  Our commitment is to cultivate an empowering environment for our team. We value a sustainable work-life balance and believe that work should be fun! We approach challenges with a growth mindset, striving for improvement and innovation. As a Puppy Program Trainer, you’ll embody PADS’ core values, including a commitment to compassion, transparency, and the ethical treatment of dogs.  

ABOUT OUR TRAINING PHILOSOPHY  

PADS’ training philosophy is relationship–centered, and based on current, evidence-based training methods and follows a Least Invasive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach. We follow the 5 Domains Model of Animal Welfare, encompassing Nutrition, Environment, Health, Behaviour and Mental State, to ensure the well-being of the animals in our care. 

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Puppy Program Trainer – Apprentice Level 1 is part of an experienced, progressive team committed to helping and supporting one another and achieving positive outcomes for our dogs and volunteers. The apprentice works under the supervision of the Puppy Raising Program Senior Manager and helps to run puppy classes, one-on-one training and assessments, and assists with volunteer support. The apprentice assists in teaching puppy-raisers and sitters the skills they need to train their puppies in the areas of skills, manners and socialization, and provides support and information in those areas.  

PADS’ training philosophy is relationship centered, based on current, evidence-based training methods and follows a Least Invasive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach. We follow the 5 Domains Model of Animal Welfare, encompassing nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental state to ensure the well-being of the animals in our care.  

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The apprentice provides support to the Puppy Raising Program as they attain the skills and knowledge to move on to each subsequent step in the apprenticeship. As they progress through the apprenticeship, supporting a cohort of puppy-raisers, teaching puppy classes, conducting one-on-ones and assessments, and providing training plans, course content, and follow-up for behaviour struggles will be added to their duties.  

Training [65%]  

• Assists and observes puppy classes  
• Assists and observes walk & talk assessments for dogs at 4, 8 and 13+ months of age  
• Assists and observes one-on-one training sessions and support in person as well as virtually  
• Assists and observes creation and implementation of training and behaviour modification plans 
• Assists and observes Puppy GDBarts & Adult GDBarts, as both a handler and an evaluator  
• Assists in recognizing and assessing behaviours and traits required in PADS dogs 
• Reviews and maintains puppy reports and training information in dogs’ Salesforce records  

Curriculum & Content Creation [25%] 

• Supports with Curriculum development and review 
• Learns to identify gaps in training support materials and assists in developing and implementing educational content for volunteers and staff, including but not limited to written training plan templates, video tutorials, in person clinics and courses covering common behaviour challenges 
• Liaises with team members and relevant departments to ensure consistency and efficacy throughout the organization 

Additional Responsibilities [10%]  

• Attends andparticipatesin weekly meetings with team members, keeping up to date on progress of the dogs, department, organization and industry trends 
• Updates dog and volunteer records in databases and platforms as needed
• Assistswith ‘Out to Raisers’ and ‘Turn In’ days 
• Liaises with internal and external stakeholders and educating the public aboutassistancedogs and the legal rights of people with disabilities who are partnered with them 
• Assists with PADS outreach events, as required

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Commitment to canine welfare and ethical training practices  
• Demonstrated compassion and calm under pressure  
• Clear and receptive verbal and written communication style while conversing with PADS staff, volunteers, and the public at large  
• Demonstrated skill in maintaining appropriate confidentiality and sound judgment in conduct and interactions 
• Experience training dogs professionally 
• Experience working in the non-profit sector preferred 
• Basic knowledge of creating and implementing training and behaviour modification plans  
• Demonstrated capacity to work in a busy and at times, noisy work environment  
• Experience coaching or teaching groups and 1-1 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite and ability to learn additional basic software programs and platforms  
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and complete data entry and administrative tasks in a timely manner  
• Familiarity with virtual teaching and learning 
• Valid BC Driver’s License, at a minimum level of Class 5
• Knowledge of canine development and behaviour as well as modern training methodologies 
• Third-party certifications, such as, but not limited to, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, Fear Free, BC SPCA AnimalKind Accreditation, or Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (IAABC), are considered a strong asset  
• Demonstrated interest in developing adult education and coaching skills  
• Demonstrated interest in continuing education and professional development  
• Demonstrated capability in problem solving, reasoning, and organizational skills 

WORKING CONDITIONS & COMPENSATION

Physical Effort

This job position involves some physical tasks: 

• Use of arms and hands, ability to grip a leash and administer treats 
• Ability tomaintain balance and leash grip while handling large dogs  
• Ability to easily squat, bend, and sit on floor whilehandling puppies  
• Can carry 40 lbs. for approximately 5 minutes and lift dogs weighing up to 90 lbs.

Physical Environment

• Requires occasional work outside in all weather  
• Shares space and equipment with other employees and volunteers at PADS facilities and training locations. 
• Interaction and physical contact with dogs  
• Requires the ability to work virtually from a home office or other remote location 

Sensory Attention

• Regular interaction and physical contact with dogs  
• Required to be visually and audibly aware of canine stress signals  
• Dealing with canine body fluids on a regular basis 

Location: Burnaby, BC
Employment Type: Full-time 
Work Arrangement:  Based at our Burnaby Campus in a standard office setting, hybrid work a possibility.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7.5 hours per day, with the requirement of working one evening per week, and occasional additional evenings and weekends. 

Compensation: $52,000 to $57,000 based on a 37.5 hour work week. A benefits package is available after the 3-month probation period.  

BE YOU. WITH US.  

We serve communities that are greater and stronger because of their diversity. What makes YOU different is worth both celebrating and cultivating.   

PADS is committed to equality across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience. We invite you to bring your whole self to our team, helping us to change lives, one dog — and person — at a time.   

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A GOOD FIT?

If you are a dedicated individual with a passion for helping others and a desire to grow your skills in a supportive environment, we encourage you to apply!  Submit your CV and cover letter by clicking the button below.  

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Applicants are invited to make required accommodations known in advance.      

We thank all applicants for their interest and will contact only those applicants selected for further consideration. Please note that submissions will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and therefore early submission is encouraged. The position is available immediately.