Assistant Manager of Canine Care

LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND•Rochester Hills, MI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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.

Requirements

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.
Excellent interpersonal skills and collaborative style; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with other team members, volunteers.
Strong leadership and planning skills, ability to create and execute strategic goals and objectives, and support projects and departments.
Sound knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of facility sanitization processes and kennel operations, animal enrichment and welfare standards.
This position may be required to be on campus when deemed necessary at the direction of management.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as strong organizational skills, and have acuity with detail.
Extremely well organized and self-directed with the ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability to use current version of Microsoft Office software and create, read, and interpret reports and other data as needed.
Ability to evaluate and interpret data, define problems, analyze business issues, and develop workable solutions.
Possess sound business judgment, exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards, and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.
Willing to perform general public relations duties on behalf of Leader Dog (perform tours, answer general questions, be a professional and courteous representative of Leader Dog, etc.).
Ability to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions with employees that promote positive teamwork, as well as with volunteers, donors, clients and all constituents of Leader Dog. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.
Must be willing and able to work with and around large dogs or puppies on a daily basis.

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.