Help nurture, socialize, and enrich the lives of our puppies.
At Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), we breed and raise puppies who later train to become guide dogs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The puppies in our Puppy Center receive progressive socialization to ensure healthy development and prepare them for the transition to volunteer puppy raiser homes. We’re seeking a self-starter with experience working with dogs and puppies, ideally with a focus on puppy development and behavior, to join us at our San Rafael, CA campus as a Puppy Socializing Program Assistant. You will support staff and volunteers to ensure the successful delivery of socialization activities and the healthy social development of GDB puppies.
What you’ll do:
Assist the Puppy Socialization Program Supervisor in monitoring and supporting the health and social development of neonates and puppies
Help design and implement basic enrichment programs that promote the puppies’ physical and emotional development
Organize, prepare, and lead socialization and enrichment activities for daily sessions
Record and track behavioral observations using databases and spreadsheets to monitor puppy progress
Lead, train, and support 75+ Puppy Socialization volunteers by providing excellent guidance on puppy handling, education, and behavior observations
Ensure spaces and supplies are clean, sanitized, and stored properly and help educate staff and volunteers on biosecurity protocols
Stay up to date on new data, research, and standards related to dog care, behavior, training, and socialization
What you’ll love:
Playing a key role in the successful development of puppies in our program to support GDB’s mission
Being part of our skilled and attentive Canine Welfare Neonatal team
Working on our beautiful campus in San Rafael, California
The option to bring your own dog to work!
The qualifications you’ll need:
2+ years’ experience working with dogs and puppies in an animal care setting; focus on puppy development and behavior preferred
Professional training, education, and/or certifications related to dog behavior, care, training, and socialization highly desired OR the ability to obtain within first 2 years of employment
Strong understanding of dog behavior and puppy development, including the ability to recognize and support healthy behaviors and address concerns using positive methods
Understanding of positive reinforcement training methods and ability to apply them to puppy socialization
Strong communication skills with the ability to teach and explain basic behavioral concepts to staff and volunteers
Ability to work weekends
Guide Dogs for the Blind
At Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), we believe that everyone deserves to move through the world safely and confidently – to live the life they want to live. As the largest guide dog school in North America, we have graduated more than 16,000 guide dog teams from across the U.S. and Canada since our founding in 1942. GDB not only improves mobility for our clients, we further inclusion. Join our team of more than 300 employees and share your passion for our mission.
Apply Now: https://app.jobvite.com/j?cj=oHzCvfw7&s=Craigslist
At Guide Dogs for the Blind, we respect, value, and appreciate all differences. We welcome all qualified candidates irrespective of your race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Individuals with disabilities, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability and need assistance and/or accommodation with applying for a job, please feel free to contact Human Resources.
Pay Range: $27 - $33/hour
Full-time (40 hours/week)