Apprentice, Puppy Development Trainer

Full-Time, Permanent
Toronto, ON
CNIB invites you to build a career as unique as you! We are currently searching for an Apprentice, Puppy Development Trainer! Reporting to the Manager, Apprenticeships and Staff Training, the Apprentice, Puppy Development Trainer will assist in the operations of a puppy raising club, which includes the assessment, selection, training, and line management of volunteer Puppy Raisers and ensuring that the volunteer resources are in place to meet the needs of the club. The Puppy Development Trainer will provide the required supply of healthy, temperamentally sound, and socially acceptable young dogs for training as future guide dogs. This position will also act as an ambassador for CNIB Guide Dogs, promoting good public image and supporting CNIB’s strategic direction.
Your impact at CNIB
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Recruits, interviews, and takes responsibility for the selection of Puppy Raisers and boarders. Ensures that supporter resources are in place to meet the planned allocation of puppies.
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Trains and supports the volunteers throughout their puppy raising careers to ensure their on-going development and performance management.
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Assesses, monitors, and records all the puppies’ social, educational, temperamental, and physical development. Maintains accurate and current documentation including progress and health records.
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Manages the placement of puppies to the puppy raisers within their club. Identifies puppies that are ready for intake into training and recommends those that should be withdrawn.
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In collaboration with the Program Lead, Puppy Development Trainer and Manager, Apprenticeships and Staff Education, plans, organizes and conducts training classes on a regular basis to provide best practice, education and support to Puppy Raisers and boarders. This includes identifying and negotiating the cost of suitable venues.
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Identifies temperamental and behavioural issues and ensures the application of appropriate solutions. Highlights all health issues and promptly refers them to be reviewed. Recommends appropriate time and place for castration and spaying.

• Investigates and documents all complaints and accidents relating to puppies and Puppy Raisers and takes appropriate action, in line with current Health and Safety policies.

Who You Are
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Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills. Communicate effectively using a good standard of written and verbal English.
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Able to demonstrate aptitude for puppy and dog handling.
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Able to practically apply theoretical knowledge.
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Able to undertake demands of the role, including walking long distances and controlling and walking with a range of dog breeds, ages and temperaments.
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Team player and able to work independently.
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Able to apply a professional approach and comply with policies and procedures.
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Basic skills in Microsoft Office software including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word
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Knowledge of the local club area.
We Want To Hear From You If You Have
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Previous experience supervising a puppy raising club an asset.
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Previous experience in the areas of animal welfare or behaviour.
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Previous experience in the field of people management.
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Previous experience in a teaching or mentoring role.
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Current valid driving license.
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High school or the equivalent. Certification in an appropriate subject is desirable.
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Accredited learning in the areas of animal welfare or behaviour, people management, and teaching or mentoring.
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Eligibility to work in Canada: Proof of identity and eligibility to work in Canada.
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Personal or professional experience relating to blindness and sight loss is considered an asset.
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Personal or professional experience working with assistive technology and/or accessible environments is considered an asset.
Work Environment
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Able to meet the requirements of the training program in terms of work hours plus any required travel or periods of working away from home. Overnight hotel stays away from home. Able and willing to work unsociable hours and support promotional events.
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Comfortable with dogs in the workplace/office.
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The successful candidate will be required to carry out other such duties as may reasonably be required, commensurate with the grade of this position. All employees will be expected to excel in being customer centric and advocate for CNIB at all times.
Apply now!
CNIB is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture and welcomes applications from diverse candidates, including but not limited to the Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) community, persons with disabilities, people who are blind or partially sighted, and those who identify as women, gender diverse, and/or 2SLGBTQ+. We strongly encourage applications from applicants with sight loss. Direct lived experience would be a definite asset. If at any stage you require accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to support your accessibility needs. We're excited to review your application!
Please note: while we invite applications from all interested and qualified applicants, we are unable to follow-up with every applicant.
Closing date: Future Opportunities
About Us
Life is a beautiful, wonderful, complex thing. Life with sight loss should be no different. At CNIB, we're on a mission to change what it means to be blind, and we're not slowing down. We think big, take risks, embrace change, and ask questions. We're inviting you to be part of the conversation.
Our diversity is our strength – we take pride in our inclusive workplace and are committed to recruiting and selecting in a fair, transparent, and accessible way. CNIB welcomes applications from those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) to join us in expanding our capacity for inclusion in the broadest sense. To this end, we strongly encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, people who are blind or partially sighted, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. We enthusiastically invite applications from applicants with sight loss. Direct lived experience is a definite asset. CNIB is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process.
Our team's health and wellness are a priority, which is why we offer comprehensive benefits, competitive compensation, and flexible work schedules developed to help you stay healthy.
At CNIB, we are relentlessly passionate about what we do. We are in our second century of smashing societal barriers and stigmas through innovative programs and powerful advocacy. We are a collaborative, empowered team that drives achievement and equality. If that sounds like your cup of tea, let's talk.