Island Dog Lodge is currently hiring for both full-time and part-time Canine Handler positions.
POSITION SUMMARY: Canine Handlers are responsible to help with the daily care of all dogs attending our facility. Duties include the cleaning, disinfecting, and maintenance of the building, kennels, lodges, runs and play areas as often as is necessary to ensure a safe and clean environment. Canine Handlers watch over the client's dogs at the facility, providing the dogs with constant fresh water and allow them to play and get exercise inside/outside. In this position it is important to know the signs and signals of animal behavior and make daily decisions in the moment based on this. This position also involves administering oral medication to animals if necessary.
Canine Handlers are the first point of contact for customers. Using their customer service skills, they are required to check-in and out the dogs while taking detailed customer information and making appropriate recommendations. They are required to answer phone calls, emails, and other communications from clients.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
Key Responsibilities
Canine Handler
Main Responsibilities include:
- Receive incoming dogs and prepare dogs to leave when being picked up
- Provide care for dogs at all times by monitoring them and interacting with them when in the play areas of the facility
- Monitor dogs when they are crated or in their cottages
- Clean animal's living area.
- Monitor animals' behaviour and condition.
- Provide first aid to sick or injured animals.
- Remove animal waste & clean all areas of the building
- Transition dogs inside & outside following safe protocols
- Walking dogs
Additional Requirements
- In addition to having the ability to travel you must have a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance
- Adhere to the Companies Dress requirements & Safety equipment (company safety vests, walkie talkies)
- Ensure dogs have all safety requirements, leashes, leads, safety vest when being walked
- Work in all weather conditions and be able to be outside for long durations of time.
Physical Requirements
- Requires frequent bending, reaching, repetitive hand movements, standing, walking, squatting and sitting, with some heavy lifting, pushing and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift. Should be able to lift 50lbs and be able to be on your feet for hours at a time.
Hours of Work
We are open 7 days a week from 7am till 7pm, 365 days a year. Expectations are ability and willingness to work on weekdays, weekends and Holidays. We are open no matter the extent of the weather extreme or mild and staff will be expected to work and travel in these conditions.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to plan/organize/implement
- Strong attention to detail
- strong time management skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Strong spelling and grammar accuracy
- Should be a team player
TECHNICAL/FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE
- General computer knowledge
- Use of Google Workspace Email | Google docs | Sheets
- Ability to share photo files
- Company communication Apps
- Knowledge of and demonstrated experience
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Minimum: (a combination of)
- Excellent knowledge of English, oral & written
- Willing to take courses (Canine First Aid & CPR + Canine Body language and Behaviour)
- Experience with Dogs, or Large animals
- Dealing with the public (our clients)
- Minimum of 1 year
- Strong proven people skills
NATURE OF THINKING
- Proactive to meet changing work environment challenges
- Capable of working under stressful conditions, while projecting a positive attitude
- Take ownership of situations, initiatives, and decision making in order to independently come up with action plans to be presented to your Manager.
THINKING ENVIRONMENT
- Ability to be flexible as dictated by current company practices
- Ability to work independently while being a team player
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $16.00-$18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- On-site parking
Flexible language requirement:
- French not required
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Morning shift
- Weekends as needed
Ability to commute/relocate:
- East Bay, NS B1J 1M4: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Work Location: In person
Expected start date: 2025-08-01
