Dog Trainer

St. Hubert's requires all staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption applies. New employees must submit proof of full vaccination, or request for a medical or religious exemption, before their first day of work in HRA’s workplace. Employees receiving a medical or religious exemption will be required to submit a weekly, time-stamped, negative COVID test to HR.

Job Summary:

Dog trainers are responsible for teaching St. Hubert’s training protocols to members of the public.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Teach group classes, private sessions, in-home sessions, virtual sessions, day training, and playgroups as assigned.
• Always represent HRA/St. Hubert’s in a professional and courteous manner. Provide quality service to the public, volunteers, and employees recognizing their individual contributions to the success of the organization.
• Discuss any proposed changes or additions to the curriculum with the VP of Behavior and Training before implementing those changes.
• Give advanced notice to the Manager of Training and Behavior before taking time off to allow for scheduling adjustments or arrangements for a substitute trainer to be made.
• Be available to substitute classes when the schedule permits.
• Communicate with the Manager of Training and Behavior regularly as needed.
• Assist in training new department staff and volunteers on all aspects of department responsibilities.
• Use and teach methods based on the Humane Hierarchy and LIMA behavior intervention policies from the CCPDT while representing HRA/St. Hubert’s.
• Follow proper set-up, cleaning, organizing, and sanitation of training and observation areas at the end of each shift.
• Maintain and complete proper class paperwork: i.e., liability waivers vaccination records, and graduation certificates.
• Always represent St. Hubert’s in a professional and courteous manner. Provide quality service to the public, volunteers, and employees recognizing their individual contributions to the success of the organization.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Knowledge of animal health and breed behavior and training techniques based on the Humane Hierarchy and LIMA behavior intervention policies from the CCPDT.
• Knowledge of canine behavior.
• Knowledge of enrichment in a home setting including concepts and interventions that will improve or maintain the physical and psychological well-being of owned animals.
• Knowledge of body language, defensive handling, and general safety practices with dogs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with customer service orientation. Ability to communicate effectively, courteously, and professionally with a variety of individuals such as the public, board members, volunteers, donors, and employees
• Computer literacy with proficient use of programs including Microsoft Office programs, email, internet, virtual meeting platforms, and database management software to efficiently accomplish work.
• Ability to be a team player with a positive, can-do, and pro-active approach who likes working in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for the Humane Rescue Alliance mission, and caring for all animals regardless of age, breed, temperament, or species, and supporting and educating members of the public, free of judgment or bias.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted regularly, 50+ pounds assisted.
• Ability to be comfortable working in a building with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, birds, fish, and wildlife.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activity on a daily basis, including but not limited to: lifting and carrying, reaching, stooping, standing, squatting, standing, and bending. Regularly moves about the facilities to coordinate work.
• Due to the nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; and extreme temperatures.
• Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alterations available.
• Ability to substitute teach for peers when possible.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of one year of hands-on dog training with a variety of dogs in a shelter or related dog business setting and/or advanced training in obedience or dog sports.
• Certification (or in progress) with one of the following or equivalent: CCPDT, IAABC, KPA, or Academy for Dog Trainers.
• Graduates of positive reinforcement-based canine training schools and programs, emphasizing positive reinforcement and humane training techniques are preferred.

St. Hubert's is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.