Job Details

The Director of Training and Placement (DOT) oversee service dog training program.  DOT will train and/or assign dog(s) to trainer.  DOT will work in concert with Puppy Raiser and Sitter to create a training plan, evaluation schedules and prepare dogs as service animals. Reports to Executive Director and Project Director.

Skills and Requirements:

Minimum Educational and Certification Requirements
•    Certifications:
•    Certified Professional Dog Trainer Accreditation (CCPDT-KA)
•    Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA®)

Minimum Experience Requirements:

•    Five-seven years training experience working in a service dog and or training facility
•    Must have a working understanding of Assistance Dogs International (ADI) accreditation standards and ethics
•    Has a worked professionally and assisted in training at least 50-100 dogs (including service animals)
•    Has participated professionally in at 20-50 client placement and trainings
•    Experience in evaluating temperament and physical criteria for successful service dog
•    Must be competent in all the task assigned to a Kennel Assistant, Apprentice Trainer and Trainers Level I and Trainer Level II.
•    Must be able to produce effective working teams that meet or exceed ADI Standards (i.e., Public Access Test, demonstration, or tasks)

Must have up to date knowledge of best practices in many areas including:

•    Learning Theory
•    Canine Behavior
•    Canine Care and Safety
•    A variety of training techniques, equipment, and methods

Must demonstrate effective:

•    Communication skills
•    Instruction of Groups and Individuals
•    Time management skills
•    Assessment and problem-solving skills
•    Self-Assessment and improvement of Performance

Must demonstrate:

•    An understanding of the matching process of client with dog
•    Knowledge of the environment a team will encounter, specifically concerning family, community, school, workplace, and the impact these may have on each working team
•    Ability to take training outside the classroom for that it emulates the client`s life

Must demonstrate understanding of responsibility to the public to include:

•    Knowledge of pertinent canine laws (i.e., leash laws and public access laws)
•    How to build a rapport and establish effective working relationships with coworkers, clients, volunteers, and the community
•    Use of appropriate behavior in public when working with each dog and/or client (i.e., training one dog a time, be polite, respect and consideration to people and property, and maintain good personal and canine hygiene), be willing to educate the public about assistance dogs and access rights

General:

•    Must consent to and be able to pass and FBI Background Check
•    Must consent to and sign and adhere to PPAD Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Agreement
•    Must follow and exceed Assistance Dogs International (ADI) minimum standards and ethics