KENNEL TECHNICIAN | POSITION FILLED

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Training Program Manager, the Kennel Technician cares for puppies and dogs in the training area and the areas the dogs use at PADS facilities, as well as assist with training and supervising of volunteers who support PADS kennel activities. The Kennel Technician provides support to the Advanced Training & Puppy-Raising Program teams as needed.

The Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS) is changing lives, one dog at a time. We are dedicated to breeding, raising, training and placing assistance dogs for persons with a mobility disability, or who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. We place accredited facility dogs (AFD) with professionals and PTSD service dogs for veterans with PTSD. We support these client and dog teams for the working life of the assistance dogs. PADS is based in the Metro Vancouver region of British Columbia, Canada with regional offices on Vancouver Island, Calgary, and the Okanagan. Our team of employees, Board members, and volunteers is passionate about giving persons a “new leash on life” with assistance dogs who will help to give clients greater independence and a better quality of life.

PADS’ training philosophy is relationship centered, and based on current, evidence-based training methods and follows a Least Invasive Minimally Aversive (LIMA) approach. PADS Trainers teach advanced sitters the skills they need to teach their advanced dogs in the area of Skills, Manners and Socialization. PADS Trainers teach clients how to follow the LIMA principles when working with their client dogs.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Cleaning and Maintenance [50%]

Ensuring the advanced kennels, training spaces, and exercise yards are cleaned and maintained daily to a safe and sanitary condition.
As required, maintain the cleanliness of the puppy/breeding kennels and yards before and after puppy assessments to maintain a safe and sanitary condition.
Maintain the administrative building yard as assigned
Clean dog dishes, wash and fold laundry in the advanced kennel building on a daily basis or throughout the day as needed

Support with Kennel and Advanced Sitting Volunteers [10%]

Assist the Instructor’s Assistant and other PADS staff with reviewing applications for Advanced Training Volunteers and conducting training in their assigned roles
Assist the Instructor’s Assistant and other PADS staff with scheduling of kennel volunteers (daytime and evening shifts) and weekend/relief sitters
Providing guidance and supervision to on-site volunteers

Husbandry of Dogs in Advanced Training [20%]

Providing routine care and grooming of advanced dogs, including periodic checks for illness, injury or abnormalities, and nail trimmings, ear cleanings and other basic treatments. Reporting concerns to the PADS Medical Team
Scheduling and transporting dogs for veterinary appointments
Responsibility for the welfare of dogs in advanced training, including behavioural enrichment for dogs in the kennel

Training of Dogs in Advanced Training [10%]

Assisting the Advanced Trainers with the obedience and skills training of dogs aswell as behaviour plan implementation in the Advanced Training Program

Administrative Duties [5%]

Actively participating in the maintenance of up-to-date, accurate and complete records regarding dogs in Advanced Training, attend staff and departmental meetings, email, Monday and etapestry updates as required

Coordinating On-Site Dog Assessments [2.5%]

Assist puppy program staff for scheduling with volunteers to have dogs come in for assessments as well as volunteers to help run the assessment if required
Set up of the assessment space and maintenance of the assessment materials for adult dogs as required
Handling puppies/dogs for assessment as required
Scoring of assessments using the Behavior Checklist (BCL) as required

Other [2.5%]

Complying with PADS procedures in order to meet ADI standards and ethics for care of assistance dogs
Maintaining current knowledge of legal requirements regarding canines, as well as of assistance dog programs
Participating in educating the public about assistance dogs and the legal rights of people with disabilities who are partnered with them.
Participate in media requests including audio/video, as required.
Performing other related duties and responsibilities, as required.

The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are not a comprehensive list. It is reasonable for the employee to expect that additional tasks may be assigned from time to time. In addition, the scope of the duties and responsibilities listed here may change as necessitated by PADS changing needs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Effort

This job position involves some physical tasks and requires working outside in all conditions.
Ability to walk 4-6km’s per day to walk the dogs or with volunteers
Use of arms and hands, ability to grip a leash and administer treats.
Have the ability to lift dogs ranging between 50-70 lbs

Physical Environment

Under regular working conditions, the employee will be working within shared workspaces on the PADS campus in Burnaby, BC, as well as at off-site training venues and in public locations.
There is interaction and physical contact, with puppies and dogs in training for certification–as assistance dogs. There is occasional contact with certified dogs and clients.

Sensory Attention

There is daily interaction, and physical contact, with dogs that are in the Advanced Training Program
Required to be visually aware of stress signals that dogs might be presenting
Ability to hear if there is barking, growling, whining from the dogs
Dealing with dog bodily fluids on a regular basis

HOURS & COMPENSATION

The position is full-time permanent (37.5 hrs/week)
Compensation begins at $19.34 per hour and includes a benefits package
Monday – Friday, 8 am to 4 pm

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Technical Qualifications

Efficient use of PCs; the Internet, Zoom; and MS Word, Excel, and Outlook. Ability to learn new software as required
Previous experience working (personal or professional) with animals is required.
Ability to work a flexible schedule when and if required.

Behavioural Qualifications

Demonstrated calm under pressure and ability to have compassion and support volunteers during a stressful time.
Organized, professional, a good communicator (verbal and written), a lifelong learner, and resilient in the face of stress and change.
Effective time management and able to balance competing priorities.
Solid record of having engaged in positive, productive working relationships. High level of earned trust, appropriate confidentiality and sound judgment in conduct and interactions
Demonstrated interest in learning new training techniques
Demonstrated capability in problem-solving, reasoning, and organizational skills

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Experience working in the non-profit sector as an employee or volunteer is as asset
Previous experience working (personal or professional) with animals is required.
Demonstrated capacity to work in a busy and at times, noisy work environment
Working knowledge of adult education and demonstrated skill for teaching adults is beneficial but not required
High school diploma is required

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE A FIT FOR YOU?

If you think you are a good fit for our organization and are interested, apply by filling out the form below and uploading a resume and cover letter! We thank all applicants who apply; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.