Service Dog Trainer

Learn More: www.smokymountainservicedogs.org

Service Dog Staff Trainer Position- available with an internationally accredited service dog program in East TN.

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs is a nonprofit organization serving qualified U.S. veterans with service- connected physical disabilities. The dogs are provided to the client at no charge. The organization is supported primarily by donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, located in Lenoir City, TN. is currently accepting resumes for an experienced Service Dog Staff Trainer.

Job Description

Job Title: Service Dog Staff Trainer

Reports to: Canine Program Manager

Job Summary: Care for, evaluate, and train dogs. As a Service Dog Staff Trainer, you will be responsible for assisting the Lead Trainer with introducing and advancing simple and complex behaviors to dogs of various ages, providing frequent instruction to new volunteers, dog fosters, and clients receiving service dogs from the program, developing and applying behavioral modification plans, grooming and conducting health checks for dogs, documenting daily training records, create training materials and visual aids for online classes, conducting virtual meetings and training sessions, providing follow up support to service dog teams, preparing teams for public access testing, and occasional public relation activities. This position may also require taking dogs in training into your personal home.

All activities occur at the Veteran Canine Training Center and in a variety of public venues in the counties of Loudon, Blount, and Knox. Occasional travel may be required (Less than 20%)

Salary Range: Non-exempt, Starting Salary $40,000 – Negotiable based on experience.

Benefits: This is a salary (non-exempt) full- time position. Occasional weekend or evening hours may be required. Smoky Mountain Service Dogs provides paid vacation and paid personal days once initial probationary period is reached, six paid holidays per year, opportunity for occasional over-time hours, periodic and performance- based bonuses are provided. Smoky Mountain Service
Dogs does not currently offer any other full- time employee benefits.

Hours Required: Minimum 40 Hours per week, occasionally includes weekend and evening hours.

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States

Relationships

Positions Supervised: Oversight of work assignments for Volunteer Dog Handlers

Person Making Work Assignments: Canine Program Manager and Lead Trainer

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Frequent Interactions With: Application Team Members, Veteran Liaison, Volunteer Coordinators,
Puppy Foster Coordinator, Community Events Coordinator, Transport Team Coordinator, Respite
Coordinator, and Volunteers

If you are passionate and committed to ethically serving veterans with disabilities, this just might just be your dream job! Previous service dog training experience with an accredited service dog organization is required. Please do not submit resumes and cover letters without reading this announcement in its entirety. Our staff is small and team- oriented. This position requires daily interfacing with volunteers and with dogs 8 weeks of age and older who are in training for a life of service as a Mobility Assistance Service Dog.

Service Dogs learn more than 40 behaviors during their comprehensive, two-year training process and undergo multiple assessments prior to placement with qualified applicants having mobility impairments and potential psychological injuries. This position requires formal service dog training experience with an accredited program.

Knowledge and experience in dog training and care, typically obtained by five or more years of related work experience. This position requires the use of a telephone and computer to perform work, the ability to perform work without close supervision, and experience and ease in public speaking. A valid driver’s license and insurability are required.

Knowledge of and experience in client relations, working with persons with disabilities, working with volunteers, and knowledge of Assistance Dog International (ADI) regulations are preferred.

What the job involves:

• Broad based knowledge and application of positive reinforcement training methods/classical and operant conditioning, and ethology
• Introduction and advancement of simple to complex behaviors utilizing primary and secondary reinforcement applications.
• Handling Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers of various age groups, sizes, and weights.
• Safe and humane handling of puppies, adolescent, and adult dogs in a variety of low, moderate, and high stimulus public environments.
• Bending, lifting, standing, stooping, and walking across a variety of surfaces for extended periods of time while handling dogs of various sizes in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Instructing private and group lessons; in public, private homes, and other semi- sterile environments for volunteer service dog handlers and clients.
• Oversight, communication, troubleshooting of canine behaviors in a home and public environment.
• Instructing clients with service dogs recovering from both the hidden and visible wounds (e.g., Post-

Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury, Military Sexual Trauma with accompanying physical injuries).

• Documentation of service dog training activities and filing of submitted volunteer or client reports.
• Conducting periodic performance and behavioral assessments for dogs in training and service dog teams.
• Maintaining a clean, safe environment for dogs and humans, always.
• Exceed the minimum standards and ethics as defined by Assistance Dog International.

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• Participation in staff meetings, professional development, and community activities.
• Performing health inspections, grooming, and bathing for assigned dogs.
• Assisting with kennel care duties, canine fitness activities, administration of medications and assistance during veterinary exams.

Experience, Skills, Background:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience with Service Dog training, preferably with an accredited service dog organization.
• Knowledge of Assistance Dogs International Standards and Ethics
• Ability to have and maintain a service dog in training in your home environment.
• Comfort in leading one-to-one or group training sessions with novice handlers through experienced handlers.
• Detail oriented and demonstrates a strong work ethic – this is demanding work!
• Friendly, calm, mature, patient, and professional demeanor with excellent communication skills.
• Knowledge, skills, and ability to effectively interface with veterans who have service- connected physical disabilities which may include combat trauma and psychological disabilities such as Post

Traumatic Stress.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to prioritize work tasks - organization skills, and time management are critical.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of methods for instruction of people with a variety of backgrounds and skill levels, following SMSD's training methodology and best practices.
• Ability to learn and manage a variety of administrative processes.
• Basic computer skills, competency with Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace web-based applications.
• Possess a valid driver’s license, maintain reliable vehicle transportation and vehicle insurance.

Additional Desirable Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Biology, Zoology or Animal Science.
• Prior service dog training experience with an ADI accredited organization is highly desirable.
• Knowledge, understanding and/or experience with various disabilities.
• Experience interfacing with Veterans with combat related trauma.
• Experience with public speaking and interfacing with media, community groups and public relations partners.

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Lenoir City, TN 37772: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Service Dog training: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: One location

Salary : $40,000 - $-1