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The Genetics & Reproduction Director oversees the organization’s canine reproduction lifecycle, including genetic strategy, breeding decisions, reproductive management, whelping, and neonatal outcomes. This role ensures the ethical, evidence-based production of high-quality working dogs by integrating genetics, reproductive science, data analysis, and early-life care in alignment with animal welfare standards and organizational goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Genetic Strategy and Breeding Oversight

• Oversees all breeding colony candidates, evaluating DNA carrier status, family health history, temperament, and behavioral history to inform breeding decisions.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive, long-term strategy to maintain genetic diversity, quality, and sustainability within the breeding colony, including the acquisition of external breeders or genetic material as needed.
• Ensures breeding decisions align with program demand, health trends, and long-term working-dog outcomes.

Reproductive Management

• Oversees reproductive management of the breeding colony, including estrous cycle tracking using vaginal cytology, progesterone assays, behavioral indicators, and related diagnostics.
• Supervises semen evaluation and quality assessment of breeding males.
• Partners with veterinarians to support artificial insemination (AI), transcervical insemination (TCI), and live breeding as appropriate, without assuming veterinary scope.

Whelping and Neonatal Program Oversight

• Provides organizational authority and subject-matter leadership for all whelping and neonatal care programs within the Puppy Academy.
• Establishes, maintains, and continuously improves protocols related to pregnancy monitoring, whelping readiness, whelping management, neonatal monitoring, early intervention, lactation support, and post-partum dam care.
• Ensures continuity and alignment across breeding decisions, prenatal management, birth outcomes, and early neonatal development.
• Defines clinical decision thresholds and escalation pathways for whelping and neonatal cases in collaboration with Veterinary Services.
• Oversees analysis of whelping outcomes, neonatal health metrics, mortality trends, and early developmental indicators to inform genetic strategy and program improvement.
• Partners with the Puppy Academy Director to ensure staff are trained and supported in executing established protocols, while retaining accountability for clinical standards and outcome integrity.

Data Management and Analysis

• Maintains accurate, comprehensive reproductive, genetic, whelping, and neonatal records for active and retired breeding animals.
• Analyzes trends related to conception rates, litter outcomes, neonatal health, and early development.
• Produces projections and reports on breeding outcomes, colony health trends, and program performance to inform leadership and strategic planning.

Ethics, Welfare, and Compliance

• Ensures all genetics, breeding, whelping, and neonatal practices comply with organizational policy, animal welfare standards, and applicable regulations.
• Promotes a culture of humane, ethical, and responsible reproductive management across all related departments.

Innovation and Research

• Identifies and implements innovative, evidence-based, and cost-effective approaches to canine genetics, reproduction, whelping, and neonatal care.
• Stays current on advancements in canine theriogenology and reproductive science through conferences, professional development, and collaborative research.
• Collaborates with veterinarians and internal stakeholders on studies related to pregnancy, whelping, lactation, and neonatal development.

Interdepartmental Collaboration

• Collaborates closely with Veterinary Services, Puppy Academy, Puppy Raising, and related teams to ensure alignment, data sharing, and continuity of care.
• Participates in cross-departmental planning to support organizational canine development and placement objectives.

Education and Mentorship

• Provides training, mentorship, and subject-matter guidance to staff on genetics, reproduction, whelping, and neonatal care standards.
• Ensures relevant teams remain informed of advancements and best practices in canine reproductive and neonatal science.

Budget and Resource Management

• Manages budgets related to genetics, breeding, whelping, and neonatal programs.
• Oversees procurement of equipment, supplies, and resources necessary for reproductive and neonatal operations.

Outreach and Representation

• Builds and maintains partnerships with external breeding programs, registries, and genetic research organizations, as applicable
• Represents the organization to donors, volunteers, and other stakeholders regarding genetics, reproduction, and early-life canine development.

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in canine genetics, reproduction, and breeding colony management.
• Strong background in statistical analysis and canine theriogenology.

Preferred:

• Master's or Doctorate in Animal Science, Biology, Genetics, or a related field.
• Familiarity with the International Working Dog Registry (IWDR).
• Experience within ADI- or IGDF-accredited organizations.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand and walk for portions of the workday while overseeing operations, observing procedures, or moving between work areas.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time while performing administrative, analytical, and computer-based work.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for tasks such as computer work, documentation, and handling materials or equipment as needed.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to perform tasks requiring close vision, depth perception, and color vision.
• Periodic exposure to outdoor weather conditions when moving between buildings or overseeing on-site activities.
• Exposure to moderate noise levels typical of kennel, laboratory, and veterinary environments.

At Dogs Inc, we don’t just change lives—we transform them. When you join our pack, you’ll get:

• Comprehensive Benefits: Full dental and vision insurance premiums covered, competitive medical coverage, and a $15,000 life insurance policy.
• Retirement Match: A discretionary retirement plan match for all benefit-eligible employees after one full year of employment.
• Campus Perks: Free access to our fitness center and chef-prepared lunches served on campus (Monday-Friday).
• Time to Recharge: Generous Paid Time Off policies (12-20 days/year based on tenure). Enjoy 14 paid holidays—including your birthday!
• Reward-Based Programs: Our Learn and Earn education program and Pawsitive Strides walking program offer many opportunities to earn additional Paid Time Off.
• Dog-Friendly Workplace: Bring your well-behaved, pre-screened dog to work and enjoy the ultimate companion-friendly environment.