Are you looking to make a difference and work with a leading Australian charity? We have an employment opportunity for you!

Guide Dogs is the leading Australian provider of Guide Dogs and orientation and mobility services for people living with low vision or blindness. We are a trusted, long-standing and well recognised charity. We rely heavily on the support and donations from the community and fundraising is essential to the work of Guide Dogs.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Puppy Development Manager to join our organisation for a 12-month fixed term contract. This position will be responsible for managing the intake and ongoing support of puppies and puppy raising families. This role is also responsible for ensuring that the optimum number of dogs returned from the program are ready to be assessed as potential Guide Dogs.

The key accountabilities of this role include, but not limited to:

• People management; monitor staff workloads, staffing levels and resources, ensuring the allocation of resources is appropriate to deliver improvements in services and outcomes
• Lead and contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment by effectively communicating and collaborating across departments
• Oversee the development and growth of all puppies on the program
• Oversee the establishment of an at home whelping and rearing program
• Maintain and supervise the health care and all veterinary procedures of Puppy Raising dogs

WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT YOU

Our ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in leading and managing a team in a busy animal welfare environment. We are looking for an individual who will actively seek to develop and enhance the skills of others to achieve the best possible outcomes. You will have exceptional communication skills and the ability to strategically plan and operate.

To be considered for this opportunity you must demonstrate (the selection criteria):

• Preferably qualifications, but at least experience, in one or more of the following: Certificate IV in Animal Studies, Veterinary Nursing, Dog Training, and/or Kennel Management. This includes good dog handling skills and ability to demonstrate effective leadership and control over dogs.
• Ability to identify and propose practical solutions to problems in a timely manner and sometimes under pressure
• Resilience and emotional intelligence, with the ability to communicate effectively in difficult circumstances
• Hold a driver’s licence as recognised in the state of NSW in order to transport dogs.
• Demonstrated experience in a management role to effectively manage, motivate, and lead staff, and effectively manage change.

Please be advised that the successful candidate in this position will be required to complete a Working with Children Check and National Criminal History Check.

For further information, please view the position description.

WHY WORK WITH US?

You will be working at a place where everyone is welcome – an organisation that believes that a creative and productive workplace depends on having a diverse range of experiences, perspectives and abilities. Your colleagues and peers all understand their part in our mission - to empower people with vision loss. We are an organisation that wants you to bring your full self and your full heart to work.

At Guide Dogs NSW/ACT we strongly encourage applications from people with low vision or blindness.

We are proud to be an inclusive workplace that reflects our clients and the broader community and are committed to providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. We offer equal employment opportunity regardless of your disability, gender or gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital or domestic status, carer status, or political opinion.

If you require an adjustment within the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] using the subject line: Puppy Development Manager enquiry via EthicalJobs to inform us of your preferred method of communication.