Trainer Assistant

Description

Paws With A Cause® (PAWS) is seeking motivated and dedicated individuals who are eager to develop their skills and gain valuable experience in a supportive, team-oriented environment. This entry-level position offers a unique learning opportunity to work closely with the PAWS Training Department and serve as a pathway toward becoming a PAWS Associate Trainer. Join us and contribute to a meaningful mission while enjoying comprehensive benefits and a positive workplace culture.

PAWS offers a supportive and inclusive culture that values growth, work/life balance, and making a difference. This full-time position includes benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance, employer-paid short-term disability, a 403b retirement plan with up to a 2% match, a generous PTO package, and more. Starting hourly pay is $18.00/hour. Apply today and start your journey with PAWS!

About Paws With A Cause

Paws With A Cause® (PAWS) exists to create opportunities to live with dignity, companionship and confidence. We do our best work by embodying our core values: Adaptability, Dedication, Innovation, Optimism, and Gratitude.

To transform lives and strengthen communities through partnerships with custom-trained working dogs.

Position Summary

The focus of this position is to assist the Training Department in maintaining and developing skills necessary for dogs to be placed safely as Assistance Dogs for people with disabilities and is intended as a pathway for an individual interested in pursuing an opportunity as a PAWS Associate Trainer. The Trainer Assistant works closely with and under the direction of the PAWS Training Department to develop and implement CORE Behavior, enrichment, advanced obedience, and handling for dogs in final Assistance Dog training. It is expected that the Trainer Assistant will produce established training outcomes and that responsibilities will progress with skill development. 

Key Accountabilities

• Trainer Assistant 1
• Complete and demonstrate competence with modules 1-3
• Enrichment, health & welfare for dogs in the training center evaluation and other dogs as needed
• Trainer Assistant 2
• Complete and demonstrate competence with modules 4-6
• Enrichment, health & welfare for dogs in the training center evaluation and other dogs as needed
• Meet individual production numbers

Essential Responsibilities

• Learning the Proper Handling and Training of the Dogs
• Learn Basic Canine Handling Skills, Leash Management, and Obedience Cues
• Learn Behavioral Methods and Training Skills Including The Understanding and Use of LIMA
• Understand and appropriately Use a Variety of Training Equipment
• Capacity to Follow Directions and Training Plans Independently 
• Understand Canine Communication and Safety Precautions and Handling
• Attend Continuing Education And Departmental Trainings Sessions.

• Learning The Paws Process Of Customize Dog Training For People With Disabilities
• Observe the process of Taskwork and Public Access Training
• Proper Record Keeping – including the use of Communication Boards and Outlook Calendar
• Ability to learn and functionally use Microsoft Software Programs and other Technology.
• Communicating/Contributing To The Training Team and Collaborating With Other Departments
• Understand the PAWS Dog Journey Including The Client And Dog Selection, Match, Training, and PAWS Certification Process.

• Learning Proper Care Of The Buildings And Grounds
• Kennel Cleaning And Related Building Maintenance Work
• Maintain a Safe and Clean Work Environment.

• Learning Health and Welfare Care Of The Dogs
• Feeding, Medicating
• Bathing/Grooming
• Physical/Mental Exercise And Enrichment

• Support Organizational Needs
• Observe and Assist In Pre-Prison Foster Puppy Evaluations and Dog Show Reviews.
• Observe and Assist With Foster Puppy Education Outings
• Trained to be backup support for Kennel Care Staff in any of the three PAWS Buildings 
• Assisting With Moving Dogs Between Kennels, Training Areas, And Other Locations. 
• Other duties as assigned

Supervision Received

• Specific Direction - Supervision by Training Manager regarding work procedures, processes, and periodic performance checks, as well as, Mentors or other assigned Staff Trainers

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No supervisory responsibilities

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Internal Candidates must have successfully completed at least one year in whichever department they were hired.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent 
• Natural Dog Abilities In Handling And Reading Canine Body Language Preferred
• Basic Obedience and Dog Handling Experience Preferred. 
• Basic Dog Psychology/Behavior Knowledge Helpful.

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to clearly communicate verbally and in writing – including speaking to large and small groups 
• Willing to learn or possess a thorough knowledge and understanding of various types of disabilities, to better understand the needs of people with disabilities.
• Values continuous learning and seeks ongoing training and development. 
• Possess computer skills or willingness to learn and use technology and software programs used to maintain records, observation forms, meeting minutes, communicate information, email functions including Outlook Calendar 
• Possessing a valid driver’s license with full coverage auto insurance and assurance that points do not exceed the insurance carrier’s requirements.

Core competencies

1. Customer Orientation: A desire to serve internally with all PAWS departments and externally with volunteers, field reps, clients, and other constituents by focusing efforts on listening and responding effectively to questions and contributing to a positive and healthy experience. 
2. Problem Solving: Ability to recognize courses of action which can be taken to handle problems - including proactive steps to minimize potential issues.
3. Reliability: Ability to be dependable, trustworthy, and committed to doing the best job possible
4. Team Player: Ability to be an active participant of a team and move the team toward the completion of goals at departmental and organizational levels. Build and maintain positive working relationships with staff throughout the organization.  
5. Time Management: Ability to effectively utilize time for the completion of responsibilities in day-to-day work, as well as being able to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
6. Communication: 
7. Internal: Ability to communicate well across departments in all processes 
8. External: Ability to communicate to volunteers and the public – positively representing PAWS and the work done to educate on the use of Assistance Dogs by people with disabilities through speaking engagements, client interactions, campus tours, and demonstrations in a positive, professional way.
9. Professionalism: Share in the passion for the mission of Paws With A Cause – ensuring actions and communications follow PAWS Core Values.

Physical Requirements:

Average Daily Physical Requirements

• Work in stationary position: Less than 2 hours
• Move about work area: More than 5 hours
• Use hands/fingers to handle or feel: More than 5 hours
• Reach with hands and arms: More than 5 hours
• Ascend/Descend (stairs/ladder/etc.): Less than 2 hours
• Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl: 2 to 5 hours
• Communicate with various parties: Less than 2 hours
• Detect flavors or smells: None       
• Move up to 100 pounds: 2 to 5 hours
• Visual acuity: More than 5 hours
• Read and understand written word: Less than 2 hours
• Drive/Travel: None       
• Operate computer and general office machines: Less than 2 hours
• Operate machines or material handling equipment: 2 to 5 hours

Average Daily Environmental Conditions

• Office Environment: No exposure to extreme heat, cold, noise, chemicals or hazardous equipment. : 2 to 5 hours
• Manufacturing Environment: Exposure to dust, oil, various chemicals, solvents, or fumes. : 2 to 5 hours
• Medical Environment: Exposure to body fluids, radiation, medical equipment, solvents or chemicals. : Less than 2 hours
• Noise: Exposure to constant or intermittent extreme sounds. : More than 5 hours
• Temperature: Exposure to extreme heat or cold either indoors or outside. : 2 to 5 hours
• Other: None

Hourly Position

This is an hourly paid position. This position has base hours of 40 hours per week, working 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with a ½ hour unpaid lunch. Occasional nights and weekends may be required to assist with demonstrations or presentations on behalf of PAWS which may entail flexing time during the work week. Overtime with prior approval of the Training Manager/Canine Production Manager will be calculated at one and a half times the regular rate of pay for hours worked over 40 hours. First Year Trainer Assistants will receive regularly scheduled reviews at the 30-day, 60-day, 90 day, 6 month, 9 month, and 1 year from date of hire.

This job description does not list all duties of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform other duties as needed. The Company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and does not infringe upon the Company’s at will employment status.