Our Culture
We believe in harnessing the power of diversity to create a culture of belonging where all individuals are celebrated and valued for their unique ideas, perspectives, and strengths as a means to achieving personal excellence and organizational success.
Our Values
Lead the Pack: Commit to excellence in all we do
Be the Person Your Dog Thinks You Are: Demonstrate integrity to build trust
Work Together, Wag Together: Achieve shared goals while having fun
Keep our Dogs in a Row: Steward all resources efficiently and effectively
Unleash the Power of Diversity: Foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizational culture
The Purpose of Your Role
Under the direction and guidance of the Deputy Director of Operations, this position will utilize creative, dynamic, and innovative solutions to develop and sustain the Freedom Service Dogs Breeding and Intake program. This position is responsible for strategically cultivating beneficial relationships resulting in the acquisition of high quality service dog candidates from other working dog schools and reputable breeders, developing and implementing the Breeding program and meeting established quality and quantitative goals. The Reproduction and Genetics Manager will ensure FSD’s excellence as a member of the service dog community.
The Skills You Bring
· Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook
· Excellent customer service
· Superior communication and people skills
· Attention to detail
· Problem-solving skills
· Ability to multi-task
· Outstanding time management skills
· Team player
· Desire to learn
· Adaptability
· Love of dogs
Our Investment in You
· Competitive Salary: $56,000- $70,000
· Medical, dental, and vision insurance covered in part by FSD
· Life insurance covered by FSD
· 401k plan with company match
· 14 Holidays & Generous Paid Time Off
· Professional Learning Opportunities
· Wagging tails, dog kisses, and puppy breath
The Work You Will Do
The essential functions listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed; the omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to be completed by the position:
Reproduction and Genetics
· Develop, direct, and maintain a breeding colony of dogs who exceed all established behavioral and medical requirements. Determine appropriate breeding matches and evaluate litters and adolescent dogs for future breeding candidates.
· Create and implement written protocols for breeding, whelping, early neurological stimulation, and socialization utilizing science-based knowledge of canine reproduction.
· Consult with other professionals in the breeding and reproduction field in order to make informed decisions regarding the breeding colony and current litters.
· Manage the breeding of female dogs, the whelping of puppies, and the socialization of litters from zero to at least eight weeks of age.
· Manage breeding colony dogs with Guardian Homes and ensure proper care, health, and coordination of appropriate activities.
· Communicate, plan, and direct activities relating to FSDs membership in the ADI Breeding Cooperative (“ABC”).
Dog Intake
· Utilize established intake procedures to positively impact the quality of dog acquisition for our service dog training program and meet targeted intake numbers.
· Develop, direct and maintain an effective network of dog acquisition sources to include reputable private breeders, other ADI schools, the ADI Breeding Cooperative, other organizations who breed purpose-bred dogs, and rescue dogs on a case-by-case basis.
· Conduct potential dog source phone consultations. Make decisions on accepting dogs into training based on qualifications relative to program requirements.
· Perform assessment testing on dogs to determine appropriateness for FSD training candidacy utilizing science-based canine behavior knowledge.
· Work cooperatively with Training, Health, and Operations Leadership to ensure a healthy and temperamentally sound canine population; utilizing current scientific application, proper record keeping, and utilizing volunteers that are well-trained and informed representatives of FSD.
· Work with Operations leadership to manage dog inventory.
· Coordinate, and provide as needed, transfer of dogs following Colorado Pet Animal Care Facilities Act (PACFA) requirements for vaccinations, health certificates, and transport.
· Coordinate with Animal Care Coordinator on incoming dogs to ensure caretakers can properly prepare kennels for new dogs.
· Consistently review dog acquisition program for potential process and program improvements.
· Foster and maintain relationships with intake sources to create written agreements (MOUs) in regards to fee for transfer, re-homing dogs, returning dogs to breeders, and transportation of dogs entering FSD training program.
Education & Outreach
· Cultivate and maintain beneficial relationships with other assistance dog organizations
· Promote the mission of Freedom Service Dogs using professional language that outlines the benefits of a breeding program.
· Provide education to Freedom Service Dogs volunteers on dog selection evaluation process, FSD dog acquisition requirements, and puppy whelping and raising as needed.
· Educate and train approved volunteers in nursery daily tasks, puppy socialization, overnight shifts, and whelping, when appropriate.
Data Collection & Reporting
· Enter, process, and track dog acquisition data, maintain accurate tracking of sources and transport of dogs.
· Create reports and analyses as needed to monitor dog intake progress and success.
· Evaluate dog intake success based on location/breeding pair sourced, behavioral evaluation score, career change reason, and other key aspects to better identify potential candidates for both training and breeding.
· Monthly reporting of dog acquisition and breeding activities, including reports needed for grantors, stakeholders, and FSD leadership.
· Coordination for budget process with responsibility for coding and establishing budget needs.
· Track dog names and assign names to dogs at intake or birth to FSD.
· Use resources judiciously through organization of dog acquisition and breeding budget, monitoring and controlling expenses.
Other
· Participate in continuing education related to dog behavior, housing, breeding, whelping and relative animal science.
· Assist in any area of Dog Operations including, but not limited to, cleaning of kennels, walking and grooming dogs, transfer of dogs to veterinarian, evening walks, and feeding of dogs, as needed. Drive company vehicles to transport dogs and for other Organization needs.
· Any other duties that may be assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility
Responsible for training, assigning tasks to, and monitoring the Nursery Coordinator, Nursery Health coordinator, Nursery Kennel Technicians and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training direct reports; providing leadership; planning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Work Environment
This job operates in both a professional office environment and in dog kennels and surrounding areas. The noise level in the office work environment is usually moderate. The noise level in dog kennels environment can often be loud. The location is a non-smoking environment.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, which includes both taking care of dogs and working in an office environment. When training and taking care of dogs, the employee is regularly required to be very physically active. When working in the office, the employee is regularly required to sit.
The employee is frequently required to stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and perform a variety of physical motions with his or her hands, arms, shoulders, legs in order to properly test, transport and train dogs. The employee is often on her or his feet, and is often required to walk; escort visitors or volunteers in or around the kennel, play yards and training areas; climb and balance; go up and down stairs; and utilize elevators. The employee must be able to manipulate and use all equipment and tools necessary to care for and transport dogs, including leashes, medicines, locking medicines, balance harnesses, wheelchairs, and clickers used for training.
The employee must regularly lift and move up to 50 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. This includes the ability to retrieve and distribute dog food and other supplies and to retrieve and replace objects from shelves. This job requires handling multiple dogs in training every day of up to 100 pounds on and off leash. The employee will work in proximity to cleaning agents and disinfectants and must be able to follow instructions for the use and storage of these chemicals.
The employee must be able to open packages, measure, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects tools, keyboards or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must have the ability to bend, stretch and lift files and books from drawers and shelves and replace same; rapidly use printers, computer equipment, copy machine, and other general office machines. The employee is expected to communicate frequently with others.
Work occasionally requires more than 40 hours per week to perform the essential duties of the position; may require irregular hours to accommodate unforeseen dog and client demands outside of regular hours. During work, the employee is expected to be physically present at the office unless evaluating service dog candidates.
Freedom Service Dogs reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities and position title as it deems necessary to meet the needs of its business.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, exempt position consisting of approximately 40 hours of work per week. This position will require occasional evenings and/or weekends, but will primarily be during business hours.
Travel
Frequent local travel is required. Out of state or in-state travel is required to locate, test and transport dogs from breeder partners and other ADI schools.
Required Education, Experience and Competencies
· Bachelor’s degree in animal behavior, biology, zoology or related animal field.
· Minimum of three (3) years of canine behavior and/or dog training.
· Minimum of three (3) years in canine reproduction and puppy rearing.
· Minimum of two (2) years in a managerial role overseeing staff and volunteers.
· Ability to manage and handle dogs without the use of aversive methods.
· Must possess excellent interpersonal skills; must have the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others including diverse individuals and groups.
· Ability to inspire, motivate, and persuade potential dog sources to contribute to effective acquisition.
· A strong problem solver and solutions seeker – an action-oriented manager.
· A self-starter with a passionate desire to get things done.
· Effectively communicate organizational processes gaining the trust and positive performance of dog acquisition sources and FSD team members.
· Results-driven approach to dog acquisition with the ability to set concrete goals and achieve them.
· Excellent diplomatic abilities with the ability to make difficult decisions relating to the FSD mission.
· Ability to simultaneously manage and effectively prioritize a large number of operational activities.
· Nonprofit work/volunteer experience preferred.
Required Skills and Competencies
Dog Interaction Skills:
· Must possess a passion and commitment to the Freedom Service Dogs mission.
· Must be willing and comfortable working around large breed dogs.
· Must be able to learn dog training techniques in accordance to FSD and Assistance Dogs International standards.
· Must be able to learn service dog assessment testing and have the ability to refine testing based on evaluation of dogs in training.
Intellectual Skills:
· Ability to collect and analyze dog behavior and training data from database to make recommendations to management to improve graduation rates of dogs acquired.
· Ability to display original thinking and creativity and meet challenges with resourcefulness.
· Ability to generate suggestions for improving work and develop innovative approaches and ideas.
Leadership Skills:
· Exhibit confidence in self and others; inspire and motivate others to perform well; effectively influence actions and opinions of others.
· Ability to make decisions with sound and accurate judgment; support and explain reasoning for decisions and include appropriate people in decision-making process; make timely decisions.
· Ability to develop strategies to achieve organizational goals; understand organization’s strength and weaknesses and adapt strategy to changing conditions.
· Ability to manage change; develop workable implementation plans; communicate change effectively; build commitment and overcome resistance to change; and support those affected by change.
· Must be extremely well organized and self-directed with the ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines and have acuity with detail.
· The ability to function effectively as a member of a team, and a willingness to participate in activities and assignments that will benefit other members of the team or will contribute to the accomplishment of team objectives.
Language and Communication Skills:
· Ability to communicate effectively with peers, direct reports, management, clients, partners, donors, vendors and stakeholders.
· Approach others in a tactful manner; react well under pressure; treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accept responsibility for own actions; follow through on commitments.
· Routinely utilize advanced English language skills to edit documents and to prepare reports and correspondence, including spelling, sentence structure, syntax, grammar, usage, and the chief aspects of style, such as punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, plurals and possessives, and compound words.
· Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations, listen and get clarification, and respond well to questions.
· Ability to make presentations comfortably to small and large groups.
· Must possess excellent interpersonal skills; must have the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with others.
· Must be able 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 Freedom Service Dogs. 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.
Reasoning Ability:
· Ability to solve practical problems and deal in a variety of situations using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
· Ability to interpret and to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form
· Ability to maintain a high level of mental concentration and effort and strain when performing a high volume of analyses and decision making as well as other essential duties
· Ability to exercise good judgment, take initiative and make recommendations in resolving problems and provide guidance to other staff.
· Must possess the ability to evaluate and interpret data, define problems, analyze business issues and develop workable solutions.
· Must possess sound business judgment, exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.
· Can skillfully prevent, diagnose, and handle veterinary or temperament problems with puppies.
Office Skills
· Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook and keyboard data entry.
· Proficiency in database management.
· Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
· Ability to extract and analyze data to make informed leadership decisions.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Must possess a valid driver’s license with no restrictions and the ability to travel locally, nationally and internationally as needed, and maintain current vehicle insurance.
Work Authorization
Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Essential and marginal job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Equal Opportunity Employment
Freedom Service Dogs is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. We do not discriminate against applicants, clients, graduates or employees on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by state or local law.
To Apply
To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to Allison Peltier, Deputy Director of Operations, at APeltier@freedomservicedogs.org with the subject line “Reproduction & Genetics Manager”.