Team Leader Assistance Dogs

**A little about us**:
EverAbility Group have a long and proud history of providing services for people with disabilities across Western Australia and Tasmania. Together, our team of nearly 200 staff and over 500 volunteers support our growing group of diverse services. This opens up a world of possibilities for our clients - and also opens up a host of career opportunities for you

Our growing family of services at EverAbility Group include:
**VisAbility** - our specialised service supporting people with blindness or vision impairment.

**Guide Dogs WA and Guide Dogs Tasmania** - our iconic service raising and training life changing assistance dogs.

**Kites Children’s Therapy** - our early intervention support, advice and solutions service transforming the lives of children and their families living with disability or developmental challenges.

**Perron Place** - our innovative and collaborative community centre.

**Key responsibilities and accountabilities**
- Provide technical expertise, advice, coaching and leadership to team members.
- Assess and train Assistance Dogs to the standard determined by Guide Dogs WA and based Assistance Dog’s International.
- In collaboration with other members of the assistance and facility dog teams, monitor and support the intake, assessment and matching of dogs, including monitoring of production timeframes
- Manage a client caseload.
- Develop, document and conduct Client Training Programs, both centre-based and domiciliary.
- Refer Dogs for veterinary examination, as required.
- Maintain current knowledge of trends and developments in relation to Assistance Dog services, training techniques, practices, policies and legislation.
- Contribute to the planning, development and delivery of Assistance and Facility Dog services to metropolitan and regional clients
- Monitor staff workloads and allocation of clients
- Advocate on behalf of clients in relation to issues of access and equity.
- In conjunction with other GDWA/EverAbility programs, assist with information provision on the Assistance Dog program to external parties, clients and staff, as required.
- Ensure accurate and timely recording of data on the Client Management System within required timeframes
- Collaborate with other departments to achieve organisational objectives including acting as the main liaison between FM and AD/FD departments for development of a client and dog story bank.
- Represent GDWA at relevant promotional events.
- Comply with organisational policies and procedures.
- Ensure safe work practices are adhered to at all times
- Act as an ambassador for Assistance and Facility dogs, promoting good public image and supporting GDWA/EverAbility’s strategic direction
- Report to Manager any issues relating to or impacting upon service provision.
- Other duties as reasonably directed by Manager.

**Skills and attributes requiredEssential**:

- Proven team management, coaching and mentoring skills
- Demonstrated highly developed interpersonal skills.
- Recognised qualification in Assistance Dog Training and instruction
- Up-to-date knowledge of Assistance Dog theory and practices, and knowledge of community resources relevant to people with disability or illness
- Superior planning and organising skills, coupled with stress tolerance skills
- Sound knowledge of current philosophy, policies and legislation relevant to Assistance Dogs
- Ability to manage the physical demands and inherent requirements of the job and complete the tasks and duties as stated
- Ability to work well within a team, as well as independently, assuming responsibility for nominated tasks
- Awareness of the personal impact of disability or illness for an individual.
- Effective communication skills both oral and written
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in use of Microsoft Office programs.

**Desirable**:

- Effective public presentation skills.
- Broad base of experience in one or more ADI accredited organisations.
- Background in teaching or training adults and children

**Benefits**:
In return, you will be rewarded with:

- Free onsite parking and close to public transport (across the road from Victoria Park Train Station)
- Three additional days of paid leave as a gift to you over the Christmas / New Year period
- Free access to our gym
- Ongoing professional development and training
- Employee Assistance Program
- NFP salary packaging options - use some of your salary for everyday expenses before income tax; meaning you can increase your take-home pay

**How to apply?**

We encourage people with disability and of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background to apply. Everyone is welcome, as we are an inclusive and diverse workplace.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From $103,693.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Salary packaging

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- On call

Work Authorisation:

- Australia (preferred)

Work Location: In person

Expected Start Date: 02/12/2024