Hiring & Training Coordinator

Shoreline Happy Paws•Old Saybrook, CT

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are a recurring dog walking and group hiking company looking to create a dedicated Hiring & Training Coordinator role to manage recruitment, training, and team development. This is a new role that you will shape as the company scales. The position involves a hybrid work model, splitting time between administrative tasks at our Old Saybrook office and hands-on pet care in the field across our service area. This role emphasizes employee development and interaction, with opportunities for ongoing learning in HR best practices, leadership, and team culture. The ideal candidate is an outgoing communicator who is energized by people and possesses a strong understanding of dog behavior and pack dynamics.

Requirements

Managed people or owned new-hire training previously.
Professional pet-industry experience (vet, grooming, training, boarding, daycare, dog walking, or pet sitting) with exemplary, hands-on knowledge of working with animals.
Outdoorsy and comfortable hiking wooded trails in all seasons.
Able to safely handle and hike 2 to 4 dogs at once.
Strong grasp of dog pack dynamics and ability to teach others to lead a group safely.
Ample knowledge of dog body language and behavior in professional settings.
Deep familiarity with the Connecticut shoreline area, including towns, roads, and trails.
Understanding of the local community and clientele, and how to earn their trust.
Outgoing, exceptional communicator who loves people as much as animals.
Highly organized; calm under pressure; firm but kind when standards slip.
Trustworthy and discreet with keys, codes, and client information.
Efficiently use a smartphone and pick up apps for scheduling and tracking.
Valid driver's license, reliable insured vehicle, clean driving record.
Willing to pass a background check.

Nice To Haves

Formal pet-care credentials (Pet CPR, Fear Free, dog-training certifications, or similar).
Familiarity with Time To Pet or Notion.

Responsibilities

Post job ads, screen applicants, conduct interviews, run shadow shifts, check references, and make conditional offers.
Reply to every applicant within 24 hours.
Deliver hands-on field training and determine field readiness of new hires.
Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the employee handbook.
Capture incidents, turn them into coaching opportunities, and amend SOPs based on learnings.
Invest in personal growth through webinars, books, and podcasts on HR, culture, leadership, and people management.
Conduct milestone check-ins for new hires during their first 100 days.
Train the team on safety protocols including bite, lost or injured dog, and emergency procedures.
Maintain current Pet CPR skills.
Keep records of training hours, certifications, I-9 and W-4 forms.
Cover regular dog walks and small-group trail hikes (2-4 dogs) to support the team as needed.
Recruit and train the team for the new Doggie Adventure Bus service.
Identify, develop, schedule, and recognize team leads and trainers.
Deliver new-hire orientation and core training presentations.
Review shadowing and training reports from team leads and trainers.
Build and grow continuing education programs for the team.
Develop hiring and training systems and SOPs for consistent growth.
Manage performance and retention through regular feedback, reviews, and exit interviews.
Own recruiting channels and the referral program.
Analyze turnover trends and implement recognition programs to retain staff.