Assistant Manager of Canine Care

Leader Dogs for the Blind, an international organization based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has been empowering individuals who are blind or low vision for over 85 years. We provide comprehensive guide dog services and orientation and mobility training, equipping individuals with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. Our life-changing work is provided free of charge, and we are 100% philanthropically funded. Our mission is driven by 191 dedicated team members and more than 1,000 volunteers who advocate alongside our clients to create a more equitable world.

Why work at Leader Dogs for the Blind?

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance after 30 days of employment
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid disability insurance
• 401k with employer match
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off front loaded on first day of employment
• Annual merit-based pay increases
• Dog friendly office

SUMMARY

The Assistant Manager of Canine Care manages a team of supervisors and volunteers and oversees daily operations including sanitization processes, health, behavioral and dietary needs, enrichment, handling, and ensures optimal care for dogs and puppies in the Canine Development Center.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Recruit, mentor, develop and successfully manages a team of supervisors to achieve the strategic objectives and the present and future needs of the canine care department.
• Leads supervisors in managing team performance through coaching, individual meetings, and performance reviews.
• Assists manager and works alongside supervisors in overseeing day-to-day operations. The assistant manager will fill in for dog care supervisors, working alongside team members as needed for canine care duties.
• Partners with Manager of Canine Care & Welfare and other cross-functional groups to oversee and implement enrichment protocols to support incoming dogs, career change dogs, medical restrictions and dogs assigned to fosters.
• Assists with management duties such as facility inspections, departmental goal setting, managing escalated situations and difficult conversations.
• Develops content for SOPs for operational processes and manages updates, editing, archives, distribution and training for dog and puppy care teams.
• Assists in tracking departmental metrics of success and supervises the use of the CRM software system to ensure dog records are updated and entered accurately and in a timely manner.
• Serves as an active monthly participant of the Enrichment Committee and Safety Committee.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education in animal science, animal behavior or a related field preferred. Minimum of 2 years’ experience and demonstrated success in people management in animal facility operations required.. Understanding of canine health or behavioral abnormalities that require follow-up is preferred.