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About the Organization

Liberty Dogs is a premier Service Dog training program whose goal is to empower Veterans with disabilities to lead more independent and fulfilling lives - enhancing their well-being through the unconditional support that Liberty Service Dogs provide. Located on a 27-acre campus, it includes a training facility, dog housing, an administrative and multipurpose building, and accommodations for Veterans staying on campus to train with their Liberty Service Dogs.

Position Summary:

The Puppy Development Manager supports the success of puppies in training from 8 weeks through approximately 18 months of age by providing leadership to the Puppy Development Coordinators, Puppy

Outreach Coordinators, and volunteer community puppy raisers. This working manager role is responsible for

leading the Puppy Development Team in recruiting, training, supporting, and retaining volunteer puppy raisers, as well as evaluating, matching, and placing puppies with raisers.

Day to day, this position leads weekly dog training classes, provides individual dog training support as needed, and carries significant administrative and reporting responsibility. The Puppy Development Manager collaborates closely with the VP, Canine Development, breeding and veterinary staff, and the broader Canine Operations team to ensure every puppy in the Liberty Dogs pipeline is set up to succeed as a service dog for a Veteran in need.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, mission-driven leader with deep experience in canine development, human learning, and volunteer management who is equally comfortable in the kennel, at the keyboard, and presenting in public.

Key Responsibilities:

Puppy Training and Volunteer Raiser Program

• Lead and manage Puppy Development Coordinators and Puppy Development staff in providing one-on-one instruction and small group classes to volunteer puppy raisers, puppy sitters, and fosters.
  
• Track each puppy's progress against program timeline benchmarks and developmental milestones.
• Evaluate, match, and place puppies with volunteer raisers based on puppy developmental stage, raiser and household profile, and program needs.
• Coordinate transport of puppies as needed between program facilities, onsite veterinary appointments, and raiser homes.
• Coordinate, conduct, and score all structured walk & talk assessments and BCL scoring for puppies across the program.
• Ensure all training hours, public access outings, and evaluations are accurately documented in the organizational database for every dog in the program.

Volunteer Raiser Recruitment and Retention

• Supervise the recruitment of volunteer puppy raisers in the Reno/Northern Nevada community and surrounding region, in partnership with Volunteer Services and Outreach staff.
• Coordinate and host orientations, seminars, workshops, and educational events to build raiser skills in puppy training, socialization, health care, and general management of a Liberty Dogs puppy.
• Supervise and support Coordinators in providing resources for puppy raisers throughout their raising commitment, providing responsive guidance on behavior, veterinary concerns, socialization, and public access.
• Implement retention strategies to build a stable, growing volunteer raiser community aligned to each puppy cohort's needs.
  

Data Collection, Planning, and Reporting

• Prepare weekly and monthly reports on puppy development program activities, including data required by grantors, the Duffield Foundation, and organizational leadership.
• Assist with the annual budget process, including coding and identifying budget needs for the Puppy Development department.
• Collaborate with the VP, Canine Development and veterinary or breeding staff to plan, schedule, and coordinate puppy cohort sizes and placement timelines.
• Work with the VP, Canine Development to evaluate program effectiveness and develop solutions to improve efficiency and placement outcomes.
• Collaborate with Volunteer Services and the Puppy Development Team to align raiser capacity with each upcoming puppy cohort.
  

Team Leadership and Development

• Interview, hire, train, and mentor Puppy Development Team staff in accordance with Liberty Dogs policies and applicable Nevada employment law.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide ongoing coaching, and address staff concerns in a timely and constructive manner.
• Build team capabilities in training methodology, documentation standards, volunteer relations, and operational execution.
  

Other Duties

• Support the philanthropic and community relations efforts of Liberty Dogs by occasionally participating in dog training demonstrations, community outreach, and organizational events.
• Build and support systems that align with future ADI accreditation standards.
• Other duties as assigned by the VP, Canine Development.
  

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required; bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Biology, Education, Nonprofit Management, or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of service dog training; experience at an ADI-accredited organization strongly preferred.
  
• Minimum of 3 years of experience managing a team of five or more employees.
• Practical experience with positive reinforcement training principles and marker-based training methodology consistent with LIMA standards with an eye toward Force Free protocols.
• Understanding of canine behavior and learning theory as applied in a professional training context.
• Experience with basic animal husbandry procedures.
• Experience teaching adult learners in both small and large group settings; comfort with public speaking.
• Experience with disability awareness and sensitivity, particularly in a military or veteran context.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace and Salesforce or comparable CRM software.
• Valid driver's license and ability to maintain current vehicle insurance; driving is a regular requirement of this role.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• Current or in-progress professional certification (e.g., CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, ADI Instructor Certification, or equivalent).
• Experience specifically with veteran-focused service dog programs, including familiarity with PTSD mitigation and other psychiatric or physical service dog task frameworks.
• Experience with purpose-bred breeding programs, whelping management, or neonatal puppy development protocols.
• Familiarity with ADI accreditation standards and record-keeping requirements.
• Familiarity with Nevada animal welfare statutes (NRS 574), Washoe County animal services regulations, and relevant USDA APHIS requirements.
• Nonprofit work or volunteer management experience in a mission-driven canine or human services program.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Must be comfortable working onsite daily in an active kennel environment and 27-acre campus facility with service dogs.
• Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, and perform a variety of physical movements while handling dogs; frequently on feet for extended periods indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds unassisted; ability to manage and safely restrain large breed dogs up to approximately 80 pounds with appropriate assistance or equipment.
• Ability to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force when pushing, pulling, or repositioning dogs or equipment.
• Must be able to manipulate all equipment necessary for dog care, including leashes, training equipment, and kennel hardware, as well as standard office equipment.
• Work environment includes elevated noise levels in kennel areas, dog dander, animal hair, sanitation chemicals, and standard zoonotic health exposure; appropriate protective equipment is provided.
• This is a full-time, onsite, exempt position of approximately 40 hours per week; some evenings and weekends are required based on program and volunteer schedules.
• Local and regional travel is a regular expectation, including raiser home visits, community outings, and partner facility visits; occasional out-of-state travel may be required.

Why Join Liberty Dogs?

At Liberty Dogs Foundation, we live by a simple truth: We take care of those who have taken care of our great nation. This role is your opportunity to shape a program that will set a national standard in Veteran wellness and service dog partnerships-changing lives, one Veteran and one dog at a time.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.