Enrichment Specialist - Canine Care Assistant

Central Bark; Danbury (CT); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunities for growth

Employee discounts for daycare/boardg/

Supportive team environment

Job summary

Central Bark in Danbury, CT is seeking a Canine Care Assistant/Enrichment Specialist to care for dogs, supervise play groups, and provide enrichment through training exercises. The role emphasizes safety, fear-free methods, and reliable teamwork with owners and staff.

Responsibilities include feeding, administering medications as instructed, maintaining a clean facility, and assisting with check-in/check-out processes while ensuring positive experiences for dogs and their people.

Qualifications

• Ability to learn dog behavior and handling techniques through our training procedures.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and engage with dog play groups, ensuring safe interactions and positive socialization.
• Administer food, medications, and other necessary care following specific instructions.
• Maintain an organized and sanitary environment in play areas, kennels, and common spaces; perform cleaning duties.
• Transport dogs to and from owners and ensure a smooth check-in/check-out process.
• Observe, assess and document dog behavior, reporting changes to management and stepping in to redirect play as needed.
• Assist with enrichment services, including training exercises and one-on-one interaction sessions; uphold positive reinforcement techniques.

Skills

Dog care

Observation of behavior

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Positive reinforcement

Fear-free training

Physical stamina

Job description

JobTitle:CanineCareAssistant/EnrichmentSpecialist ReportsTo: StoreManager&Owner

Summary:

The Canine Care Assistant is responsible for the care and supervision of dog play groups, boarding guests, ensuringasafeandenrichingenvironmentforalldogs.Thisrolerequiresstrongteamwork, consistent and effective communication, attentiontodetail,andapassionforpositivereinforcementtrainingmethods.Theposition involves physical activity, cleaning duties, and direct interaction with dogs and their owners.

EssentialDutiesand Responsibilities:

• Superviseandengagewithdogplaygroups,ensuringsafeinteractionsandpositive socialization.
• Administer food, medications, and other necessary care fordogs, following specific instructions.
• Maintainanorganizedandsanitaryenvironmentinplayareas,kennels,and commonspaces. Perform cleaning duties, including picking up waste, mopping, disinfecting surfaces, doing laundry, washing dishes and vacuuming.
• Transportdogstoandfromownersandensure asmoothcheck-inandcheck-out process in a friendly and professional manner.
• Observe, assessanddocument dog behavior, notingany changes, incidents, or concernstobe reported to management. Stepping in when necessary to redirect play and prevent conflicts, be proactive and not reactive. Followall companypolicies andsafety guidelines toensure asecure environment for both dogs and staff.
• Assist with enrichment services, including training exercises, and one-on-one interaction sessions. Upholdpositivereinforcementtechniquesandensurethatallinteractionsalignwith fear-free training principles.

Qualificationsand Requirements:

• Passion for working with dogs!!!!
• Ability to learn dog behavior and handling techniques through our training procedures.
• Abilitytoliftatleast50lbs. Requiring physical stamina and endurance. Frequentbending,lifting,walking,andhandlingofdogsofallsizes,temperaments andbreed.
• Employeesarerequiredtowork some weekendsandholidays, early morning/afternoon and evening shifts inallweatherconditions, aspartofayear-roundoperation.
• Strongattentiontodetailandabilitytofollowcareinstructions accurately.
• Team-orientedattitudewithawillingnesstocollaborateandsupportco-workers.
• Effectivecommunicationskillsforreportingbehavioralobservationsandproviding updates to management.
• Abilityto problem-solveandmakequickdecisionsin a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable with cleaning tasks, including waste disposal, kennel sanitation, and laundryduties.
• Previous experience with dogs (such as pet ownership, animal care, daycare/training,orveterinaryassistance)isaplusbutnotrequired.
• Willingnesstoundergoon-the-jobtrainingandcompleteminimumtraining requirements.
• Reliable Transportation.
• Support team members and contribute to a collaborative and efficient workplace.

Core Competencies:

• Win-WinMentality –Workstowardsolutionsthatbenefitboththedogsandthe team.
• Accountability & Ownership – Takes full responsibility for assigned duties and follows through on commitments.
• Collaboration&Teamwork –Works effectivelywith co-workers and communicates respectfully.
• EmotionalIntelligence –Recognizesandrespondstotheneedsandbehaviorsof dogs and people.
• Problem-Solving & Quick Thinking – Makes informed decisions when handling unexpectedsituations.
• Attention to Detail – Ensures feeding, medication, cleaning, and behavioral observations are completed properly.
• Reliability & Dependability – Arrives on time, follows schedules, and completes tasks with minimal supervision.
• Teachable & Strong Desire to Learn – Open to feedback and actively seeks knowledge and skill development.
• CustomerService–Providesfriendlyandprofessionalservicetodogowners.
• PositiveReinforcementTraining–Supportsafear-free,reward-basedtraining approach.

Benefits:

• Opportunitiesforgrowthand advancement.
• Hands-on experience in a structured, positive-reinforcement-based dog care environment.
• Employeediscounts for daycare/boarding/grooming. Additionalbenefitsbasedonroleandemployment status.
• Asupportiveandteam-focusedwork environment.

ThisjobdescriptionoutlinesthegeneralnatureandkeyresponsibilitiesoftheCanine CareAssistantposition.Dutiesandresponsibilitiesmaychangeasneededtosupport the needs of the facility.