Lead Dog Trainer and Director

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Job Position: Dog Training Director

Full-Time: 35h

Location: Lincolnshire, LouthSalary: £36000 pro rata

We are looking for a Director to lead our talented team of dog trainers in our new HQ in Lincolnshire.

Autism Dogs Charity supports autistic and neurodivergent people and their families through our assistance dog programmes.

We provide practical, welfare-focused training and long-term aftercare, helping autistic individuals develop a bond with their partnered autism assistance dog. This bond helps to build confidence and create calmer, more manageable daily routines.

As we grow, we’re expanding our training provision from our new headquarters in Lincolnshire and are looking for a knowledgeable and experienced dog trainer to lead, train and inspire our talented team of trainers in our new location.

Responsibilities:

- You are an experienced trainer with significant experience training Assistance Dogs or other working dogs. You have great knowledge in the field. You enjoy working with families and helping disabled handlers improve their quality of life.

- You will train carefully procured dogs to support Autistic and Neurodivergent handlers.

- You will be able to train Assistance Dogs to perform basic and advanced tasks to a high level, commensurable with the standards of ADI and ADUK, and with adherence to the highest welfare standards.

- You will be teaching our clients basic public access and basic commands, while you will also train them to perform advanced tasks.

- This includes training around public access on public transport, trains and buses, access to school grounds and colleges, the ability to remain undistracted by food and other stimuli, and other skills relevant to the handlers.

- You will support, train and instruct our existing trainers. You will be able to support and train them to teach dogs advanced tasks and public-access training.

- You will be able to support and train trainers in the area of handler-training, namely, how to best transmit knowledge to our clients around handling an assistance dog.

- You will supervise dog deliveries, making schedules and travel plans, while at the same time making sure that deliveries are done in a safe and reliable manner.

- You will look after the welfare, wellbeing and career development of staff.

- You will adhere strictly to Employment law, and ensure that an inclusive, safe and pleasant professional environment.

- You will draft staff schedules, organise shifts, and decide leaves in a way that is efficient, fair and in compliance with employment law.

- You are experienced, but you are also willing to learn new skills and receive training in new areas.

- You are able to handle tense situations, distressed clients and conflict in the workplace. You have a calm demeanour and a positive, friendly communication style.

- You will get to work with families in need of help. This includes basic and advanced skills training, helping handlers build confidence, and post-delivery support, which may include remedial training at the farm or visits to the family home.

- You are willing to undertake deliveries of our assistance dogs to their new family, using either your own car or the charity’s cars.

- You will undertake deliveries in the North of the UK, with your driving time to and from delivery paid by the Charity.

- You should be confident driving approximately 2 hours to perform deliveries and be a confident driver.

- You will record with videos and written notes your training sessions of dogs, and you will keep well-organised files on each dog and each placement program with plenty of videos of the training undertaken and the skills achieved.

What are we looking for

- Excellent skills in dog training and a willingness to learn new skills and expand your knowledge with support from us.

- Excellent knowledge in the field of dog training and the ability to transmit information to others, train and teach staff.

- Willingness to work with families and support them in their assistance dog journey.

- Willingness to learn about neurodiversity and autism.

- Commitment to the values of inclusion and equal treatment of all.

- Ability to exchange dog training ideas in a constructive and open-minded manner, resolve disagreements respectfully with kindness and a spirit of compromise, the ability to make and stick to collective decisions and implement them.

- Excellent standards of animal welfare.

- Good communication skills.

- Can-do attitude, and a kind and positive style of communication with others.

- Ability to work with disabled individuals and disabled children.

- A clean criminal record (Enhanced DBS check will be required).

- You are organised in their dog training with the ability to keep written records of all training progress, as well as extensive videos of dog training and skills, and organise them in Google Drive and/or OneDrive.

- You will need basic computer skills, knowledge of Gmail and Google Drive, and the ability to record, store and organise videos in an efficient manner.

-        You should be willing to receive training on neurodiversity, autism, and the Law—especially laws pertaining to dog ownership and public access. This includes the Equality Act 2010 (regarding access rights for assistance dogs), the Animal Welfare Act 2006 (duty of care), the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (control in public), and the Dogs Act 1871.

- In cases of complaints, you will need to support the reviewers with plentiful video evidence of a dog’s skills.

- You should be willing to attend public relations events.

- You should be willing to participate in our social media publications.

- You should have a driving licence and be a careful, responsible driver. We encourage applicants who have their own car to apply.

- Living close to or willing to drive to our Headquarters in Lincolnshire.

What you will get

- An excellent, competitive salary

- A supportive working environment, a great team and colleagues that will help you succeed.

- The opportunity to lead a successful team in achieving ever higher goals.

- The chance to make a difference working with the Charity sector

- The chance to work with amazing dogs in an environment of excellent welfare standards.

- Expenses during deliveries, travel and time spent travelling for deliveries are covered by the Charity.

- The option to join our retirement scheme.

- Access to a company car

- Mobile work phone

- Travel expenses reimbursed.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter to: caroline.preston@autismdogs.co.uk

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