Puppy Program Field Representative

Canine Companions; Medford (NY); On-site; USD 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement

Volunteer hours for community service

EAP & Wellness Programs

Diversity Committee involvement

Job summary

Canine Companions in Medford, NY seeks a Canine Early Care Technician to support our Puppy Program and regional field representation. The role requires extensive travel across assigned regions and a strong focus on puppy handling, raiser support, and program outreach.

You will engage volunteers, coordinate with program staff, and contribute to high-quality care and training for dogs in early stages.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of apprenticeship at an Assistance Dogs International or International Guide Dog Federation accredited school or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of two years’ experience with an Assistance Dogs International membership organization.
• Minimum of two years’ experience working with volunteers.
• Minimum of two years’ experience working with dogs aged 0–24 months.
• Experience planning logistics and communications.

Responsibilities

• Lead or assist with puppy classes across the region, including out-of-state travel.
• Follow up with puppy raisers on behavior and health issues.
• Transport puppies to and from airports and deliver to raisers or regions.
• Recruit new puppy raisers and educate communities about our mission.
• Manage puppy raiser groups within VolunteerConnect and support demonstrations at events.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Public speaking

Education

Two years apprenticeship experience

Tools

Salesforce

VolunteerConnect

Database systems

Spreadsheets

Word processing

Job description

At Canine Companions, we’re dedicated to making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. As an employee, you’ll help provide independence to individuals, while also giving a dog a meaningful job. Our commitment to our mission is reflected in our equally strong dedication to our employees.Our Employee BenefitsWe believe in offering a comprehensive benefits package to ensure the well-being and growth of our team:Retirement Savings: Employer-matched 403(b) retirement planCommunity Engagement: Additional paid hours to volunteer within your communityEmployee Assistance & Wellness Programs: Support for both professional and personal well-beingInclusion and Diversity Committee dedicated to ongoing efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace by setting actionable goals and evaluating progressEmployee Testimonial“The organization really lives out the core values in daily actions and decision making. I enjoy coming to work as I know that my day will be filled with integrity as the organization does what is right, guided by honesty, accountability, and sincerity.”Canine Early Care TechnicianThe Puppy Program Field Representative is responsible for supporting Canine Companions programs including puppy, marketing and philanthropy. It requires extensive travel throughout assigned regions, a diverse knowledge base of Canine Companions program and exceptional customer services skills.Key ResponsibilitiesSupporting puppy classes by leading or assisting with classes throughout the region including out of state travel.Follow up with puppy raisers on behavior and health issues.Evaluate puppies in the field to better prepare for professional training.Transporting puppies to and from the airport and delivering to puppy raisers or the region.Prison program and college program support.Assist in the recruitment of new puppy raisers while in the field; educate communities about our mission and puppy raising program.Manage puppy raiser group within VolunteerConnect.Assist regions in timely follow up on puppy reports.Support the fostering and rehome process within the puppy program.Engage volunteers on the waiting list to maintain involvement and interest.Provide regional puppy program support during PTO, vacancies, and other coverage needs.Monitor data accuracy and assist with cleanup efforts.Train Puppy Class Leaders in addition to teaching puppy classes.Conduct twelve-month puppy assessments.Assist the Puppy Program Manager with Puppy Workshops.Coordinate flow of puppies in and out of the regions including partnering with the Volunteer Manager and Canine Travel team on Hub and Spoke and flow in/out of college and prison programs.Assist with demos/presentations at fundraisers, outreach events, media requests.Be accountable not only for direct responsibilities outlined in this job description but also to serve fellow staff and other constituents with whom position interacts. Ensure actions and communications follow core values.QualificationsTo be successful in this role, candidates should possess the following:Must Have:Minimum of two years of apprenticeship at an Assistance Dogs International or International Guide Dog Federation accredited school or a combination of skills and experience that meets the needs of the essential functions of the job.Minimum of two years’ experience with an Assistance Dogs International membership organization.Minimum of two tears’ experience working with volunteers.Minimum of two years’ experience working with dogs aged 0-24 months.Prior experience in planning logistics and communications.Able to problem solve in high-stress situations.Able to work with people with a variety of disabilities.Able to perform several tasks concurrently, time management and organizational skills.Excellent interpersonal and oral, verbal and written communication skills.Able to maintain confidential information.Able to organize and maintain detailed records; complete necessary paperwork and meet deadlines.Able to use computers, word processing, spreadsheets, email and database applications.Strong knowledge of use in Sales Force and VolunteerConnect similar database systems and general computer literacy.Public speaking and presentation both for live and online audiences.Take direction and show initiative; cooperate with coworkers.Schedule:Full-timeCompensationSalary: $27-$28.50 per hourFor internal candidates, compensation will be set within the posted wage range for the role, in consideration of internal equity and the scope of the position.Inclusion and Diversity CommitmentWe recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.The base salary range above represents the low and high of the range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees.Pursuant to local Fair Chance Ordinances, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Accommodation RequestIf you need accommodations during the interview process, please let us know. We are committed to ensuring all applicants have equal access to the opportunity to succeed.