Description

SUMMARY

The Team Supervisor is responsible for managing teams of instructors including specialty trainers and apprentice instructors in providing dog guides trained to class ready standard and quality instruction to eligible visually impaired clients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Recruits, mentors, develops and successfully manages a team to achieve the strategic objectives and the present and future needs of the department. 
• In conjunction with the Manager of Guide Dog Services, supervises and evaluates apprentice instructors and mentors to ensure they are achieving timely benchmarks and standards.
• In collaboration with the GDMI Program Manager- Quality Assurance, evaluates guide dogs as they progress through training to meet Leader Dog standards. Responsible for and assists with creating and implementing action plans.
• Reviews and approves/disapproves instructor recommendations for dog career changes.
• Provides support to teams as a Guide Dog Mobility Instructor. 
• Manages the planning and scheduling of client instruction.
• Reviews and approves or declines recommendations from instructors on client and dog matches.
• Manages team planning to meet guide dog class and delivery capacity goals.
• Manages and ensures quality dog placement and graduation standards during client training in class.
• Tailors instructional techniques based on needs and agreed upon weekly objectives with client for effective Leader Dog travel.
• Provides additional one-on-one instructional opportunities to clients in class.
• Implements and maintains standard practices and standard operating procedures.
• Leads team members using a performance support process including goal setting, feedback, and development.
• Completes CRM tasks and client calls in a timely manner. 
  • Ensures team members complete CRM tasks and client calls in a timely manner.
• Participation in the admission committee to evaluate and make recommendations on applicant appropriateness for programs.
• Coordinates planning for flex, graduate and applicant visits.
• Conducts effective graduate follow-up visits, applicant interviews and graduate assistance. Provides Client Services with accurate reports on each applicant interview and graduate visit. 
• Supports client focused programmatic needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree (BA or BS) from an accredited four-year college or university or equivalent experience.  Must be able to demonstrate an ability to develop and lead effective teams. Must be a qualified Dog Guide Mobility Instructor (GDMI) with at least 5 years of experience as a GDMI. Previous supervisory experience preferred. An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered. CPR certification will be required upon hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Possess excellent interpersonal skills; must have the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with all other Team Members.
• Sound knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of training dogs and instruction of people who are blind and visually impaired.
• Possess excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as strong organizational skills, and have acuity with detail.
• Ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines; must have the ability to work independently with little or no supervision.
• Possess sound business judgment, exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards, and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.
• Proficient with current version of Microsoft Office programs. 
• Possess a valid driver’s license with no restrictions and the ability to travel as needed.  May be required to have a valid passport for international travel.
• This position requires adherence to all applicable safety and health policies and procedures.
• This position may be required to be on campus when deemed necessary at the direction of management.
• This position requires the ability to work shifts as assigned.

• Willing to perform general public relations duties on behalf of Leader Dog (perform tours, answer general questions, be a professional and courteous representative of Leader Dog, etc.).

• Comfortable with and willing to work around large dogs.
• Able to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions with employees that promote positive teamwork, as well as with volunteers, donors, clients and all constituents of Leader Dog.  This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodations may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, talk or hear, and taste or smell.  The employee frequently is required to drive.  The employee is occasionally required to sit and use the phone.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.  Must be able to work outside in all weather conditions, walk distances and maintain various walking paces consistent with training program needs for clients and dogs.

Leader Dogs for the Blind reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities and position title as it deems necessary to meet the needs of its business.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an at-will employer.  This means that the employment relationship may be ended at any time without notice by the employer or employee for any reason.  Neither this document, nor any manual issued by Leader Dogs for the Blind, is a contract of employment.                                                           

Salary : $74,800 - $84,900