Dog Care Lead

**About Guide Dogs Victoria**

Are you ready to embark on an exciting and fulfilling career where you can make a real difference in the lives of individuals who have blindness or low vision? Guide Dogs Victoria (GDV) is where your passion meets purpose, and we’re looking for a Dog Care Lead to join our dynamic and dedicated team

At Guide Dogs Victoria, we’re not just an organization; we’re a movement, breaking down barriers and empowering those who need it most. With over 65 years of experience, we’re one of Australia’s most trusted charities and an employer of choice in the disability and aged care sectors. We celebrate diversity, promote a discrimination-free environment, and encourage innovation at every step of the way.

**Dog Care Lead for the Kennels Facility**

After 12 months with our dedicated puppy raisers, our dogs return to our Kew campus for 20 weeks of training before they start their career as a qualified guide dog.

As our Dog Care Lead - Kennels, you’ll be at the forefront of our commitment to provide the highest level of care and welfare for our dogs in training. Your role is crucial in ensuring the efficient operation of our kennels, supervising our passionate staff and volunteers.

**In this role you will be responsible to**:

- Lead, support, and supervise our kennel staff and volunteers to ensure smooth operations.
- Monitor staffing levels and leave to ensure the right resource allocation.
- Provide coordinator leadership coverage in other areas when required
- Maintain the highest level of health care and temperamental management for dogs.
- Collaborate with various teams to enhance dog care and training.

If required support the Dog Care Lead - Nursery with the following tasks:

- Perform whelping supervision for assigned litters; maintaining a high level of canine reproductive and neonate care; including remote camera monitoring and on-site supervision. May occur outside of rostered hours.
- Ensure compliance with whelping protocols.
- Perform health exams (ultrasounds, internal examinations, etc) as required.
- Administer medications as per protocols and/or as directed by vets.
- Ensure data capture is completed and health plans are assigned in a timely and accurate manner.
- Assist with training of team members as required.
- Relevant qualifications in veterinary nursing, canine care, or related animal studies.
- Skills in overseeing a kennel or shelter.
- Proficiency in dog handling, training and the ability to mentor team members.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Proven leadership and management experience.
- Proficiency in literacy, numeracy, and information technologies.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

**Benefits that Guide Dogs offer**:

- A competitive remuneration package is available commensurate with skills and experience, which includes tax free salary packaging of up to $18,550.
- 6 weeks paid parental leave.
- Support towards your professional development including paid study leave, educational assistance and an external mentoring program.
- Wellbeing program which includes an annual wellbeing calendar, discounted health insurance, employee assistance program, skin checks and annual flu vaccinations.
- Reward and Recognition program.

**Important**:
**Mandatory Safety Screening Checks**

All employees are also required to comply with COVID-19 vaccination requirements as a condition of their employment, including second dose vaccinations. Vaccination evidence or valid medical exemption must be provided prior your commencement date.

**Give freedom and confidence this Christmas**:

- Your support can ensure people like Leah are matched with their perfect Guide Dog.