Trainee Guide Dog Trainer

At Guiding Eyes for the Blind, we are passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals seeking greater independence. We are dedicated to creating and supporting life-changing partnerships between people and dogs. As a Trainee Guide Dog Trainer, you will play a vital role in fulfilling our mission, training and preparing our dogs to reach class-ready status, and building upon the principles of positive reinforcement, using International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)-aligned training methods.

Requirements

• College degree preferred, ideally with a concentration in Animal Behavior, Psychology, or Education/Teaching
• Comfortable wearing and working under a blindfold for extended periods
• Physically capable of lifting and handling large, active dogs, and maintaining stamina throughout the workday
• Able to maintain a pace of 4.0 miles per hour when working with a guide dog, as required
• Stand and walk for extended periods, both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather conditions
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong organizational abilities, and the capacity to handle multiple tasks effectively
• Maintains a positive attitude, professional demeanor, and welcoming presence in all interactions
• Capable of accurately assessing situations and making quick, sound judgements independently
• Demonstrated teamwork and interpersonal skills; outcome focused and able to achieve results through collaboration
• Flexible and adaptable, embracing challenges and adjusting quickly to changing priorities while contributing to team success
• Self-motivated and driven by a strong work ethic, demonstrating reliability, integrity, and punctuality in all aspects of work
• Strong relationship building skills, with the ability to find common purpose, build consensus, and strengthen collaboration
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office, with familiarity in Salesforce considered a plus

Benefits

• Competitive and generous healthcare (Medical/Dental/Vision)
• 403(b)
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off and Holidays
• You are invited to bring your well-behaved dog to work