Employment and Internship Opportunities

Applications accepted until position is filled.

Looking for an opportunity to assist pet parents with training and support shelter pets at the same time? Paws4ever, an animal welfare nonprofit in Mebane, North Carolina, seeks a committed, compassionate, and skilled trainer to lead, promote, and grow our Dog Training Program. Paws4ever is dedicated to creating and growing lifetime relationships between pets and people through adoption, training, education, and care. As one of our core programs, the Dog Training Program is committed to using positive, science-based, and proven-effective methods to help clients achieve their training goals.

The Dog Training Program Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of the Paws4ever Dog Training Program and Learning Center. Primary duties include program development and management, analysis, and growth; dog training program staff and volunteer management and mentorship; and customer relations, including teaching classes, private consultations, answering behavioral or training related questions/concerns from the public and working with dogs, volunteers and staff at the adoption center on training techniques/behavioral issues.

Qualifications & Requirements

The candidate must have a minimum of one years’ experience in dog behavior, health, handling, teaching group class, private consult training, and care, with demonstrated training experience and knowledge in animal behavior and the practical application of science-based training techniques, including working knowledge of operant conditioning and positive reinforcement. Other qualifications include 1 to 2 years’ experience in program or project management or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The candidate should have experience teaching group classes, addressing basic obedience and behavior problems, as well as knowledge of breed characteristics, skill interpreting canine body language, and experience with canine behavior assessments. Experience training dogs in a shelter environment and certifications (such as CPDT-KA or KPA CPT) are strongly preferred or the candidate should be willing to become certified within 6 months of starting the role.

The ideal candidate will have strong organizational and leadership skills, be attentive to details and have the ability to prioritize and meet multiple deadlines and projects while planning strategically for future efforts. Exceptional writing, oral communication and interpersonal skills, and customer services skills are essential.

All Paws4ever team members are expected to uphold our values of compassion, commitment, connection, and curiosity, as well as to behave ethically, build relationships, communicate effectively, incorporate creativity & innovation into their work, focus on stakeholder needs, foster teamwork, lead, make decisions, organize, plan and solve problems.

The Dog Training Program Manager is expected to work approximately 20-40 hours per week, with evenings and weekends required. The Dog Training Program Manager reports to the Executive Director, with additional accountability to the Board of Directors.

The starting salary for this position is $18/hour, with the opportunity for salary increase.

Working Conditions: Work may be performed in our Learning Center, outdoors, or in a kennel/shelter setting. Must be able to move/lift 50 lbs., bend frequently, and stand throughout the workday. Exposure to disinfectant solutions and zoonotic diseases possible. Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling or working around animals.

Job Type: Part-time with opportunity for Full-Time hours depending on number of classes taught

Pay: $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Weekend availability

To Apply:
Applications accepted until position is filled. To apply, submit both resume and cover letter to jobs@paws4ever.org and specify “Dog Training Program Manager” in the subject line.