Dog Trainer Apprentice Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

At Canine Companions, we’re dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. As an employee, you’ll help provide independence to individuals, while also giving a dog a meaningful job. Our commitment to our mission is reflected in our equally strong dedication to our employees. 

Our Employee Benefits 

We believe in offering a comprehensive benefits package to ensure the well-being and growth of our team: 

• Employer-Paid Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits for staff 
• Paid Time Off: 14 paid holidays annually, including an Inclusion Holiday, plus 17 paid days off (PTO) during your first year 
• Retirement Savings: Employer-matched 403(b) retirement plan 
• Community Engagement: Additional paid hours to volunteer within your community 
• Employee Assistance & Wellness Programs: Support for both professional and personal well-being 
• Inclusion and Diversity Committee dedicated to ongoing efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace by setting actionable goals and evaluating progress  

Employee Testimonial  
"Training and teaching.  I love watching dogs discover how to complete the tasks that we train.  I also love seeing clients learn how to utilize those tasks to increase their independence." 
— Senior Instructor 

The Instructor Assistant (IA) is an entry-level position located at our regional campuses for those interested in becoming a professional Canine Companions for Independence Instructor. Successful IAs will learn Canine Companions’ values and training protocols under the supervision of experienced Instructors. 

Key Responsibilities  

• Canine Care & Health Management: Maintain and clean kennels, play yards, breezeways, bathing rooms and other kennel facilities using established and appropriate cleaning tools and methods. Administer oral and topical medications and treatments to the dogs in the training kennels. Provide daily care and treatments to dogs in kennels, including administering prescribed medications. Review and make health observations for dogs in kennels; keep accurate records about dog health and treatments. Assist in maintaining canine health care and well-being. 
• Safety & Compliance: Maintain safety of individual clients and dogs, self, and group by following established safety policies and procedures at all times. 
• Training Support & Program Development: Establish and maintain a positive learning climate by listening to instructions, following directions, asking questions, speaking clearly, and learning the skill sets required for the Instructor Assistant program. Perform special projects as assigned or necessary for the Program Department. 
• Public Interaction & Representation: Maintain professionalism whenever working with constituents. Represent Canine Companions and the Program Department through speaking engagements and tours in a positive and professional way. 

Qualifications  

To be successful in this role, candidates should possess the following: 

Must Have:  

• Ability to follow directions and follow guidelines for feeding, exercising and animal husbandry at all times. 
• Ability to perform several tasks concurrently, time management and organizational skills. 
• Excellent interpersonal and oral, verbal and written communication skills. 
• Able to maintain confidential information. 
• Able to work with people with a variety of disabilities. 
• Ability to understand basic training requirements to train dogs according to Canine Companions’ standards. 

Nice to Have:  

• Prior dog handling, training, and dog health care experience helpful but not required. 
• High School graduate, GED or equivalent experience 

Compensation 

• Salary $ 19.25 per hour.
• Exciting opportunity for growth: This position is the first step in a well-defined career path designed to support your development and success. Employees become eligible for pay increases as they progress, with the first raise awarded upon promotion from Instructor Assistant to Apprentice I—generally at 6 months, based on individual performance. 

Inclusion and Diversity Commitment  

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.  

The base salary range above represents the low and high of the range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. 

Pursuant to local Fair Chance Ordinances, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

Accommodation Request 

If you need accommodations during the interview process, please let us know. We are committed to ensuring all applicants have equal access to the opportunity to succeed.