Academy Guide Dog Trainer - Cardiff

Job Description

Charity People are so thrilled to be working in partnership with Guide Dogs, who are searching for several new Academy Guide Dog Trainers (A-GDT) across the UK, to lead on the training of guide dogs.Guide Dogs is a leading, national organisation that provide support and services to enhance the lives of people who are blind and partially sighted, including breeding and training guide and companion dogs. Their ambition is to have a future where every personwith sight loss has the confidence and support, they need to live their lives to the full. As an A-GDT, you will be responsible for training guide dogs to help people with sight loss to get out and about through their guide dog partnership. You will learn to train the dogs in line with our ethical approach to training Guide Dogs. Once you have completedthe learning and development programme, you will join your local team to train dogs. This is not your normal 9 to 5 role, and no two days are the same, for example one day you may be in planning meetings, another day walking in the wind and rain training dogs.As well as training guide and companion dogs, you will also be responsible for design and implementation of individual training plans, supporting the resolution of any dog wellbeing issues and work with service users to develop their skills in dog handling,welfare, and knowledge. You will be provided with all the knowledge and skills to understand how Guide Dog partnerships work, however ideally you will also have:* Ideally you will have previous practical experience working with adults and young people, and/or with training animals. * You will have a good understanding of positive training approaches to training animals, as well as a sound knowledge of the charity sector and the safe practice of working with vulnerable adults and children. Additionally, you will have excellent communication, organisation, and problem-solving skills. You will be empathetic and understanding of individuals needs, as well as can demonstrate resilience working in a challenging environment and being flexible to change.It would be great if you have previous experience working with a range of stakeholders, including volunteers, but this is desirable and not essential.For more details on how to apply for this role, please visit https://charitypeople.uk/guidedogs. Closing Date: Sunday 1st August 2021Selection Process: The various stages will take place throughout August. Initial stages will be online and further details will be sent if you choose to apply. Final stages will be held on site, at either Atherton, Leamington Spa, Bristol or Forfar.Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment. If successful in this role, you will be required to complete a disclosure check. Charity People actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion. We match charity needs with skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage andcivil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we know greater diversity will lead to even greater results for the charities we work with.