Roles at Guide Dogs

Work usually starts at 7.30am. The day is spent feeding, grooming, carrying out hygiene routines and assisting in the education of dogs/puppies. Other duties include the care of sick or post-operative dogs and puppies.

To provide the required level of care for our stock, evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays are worked on a rota basis.

Entry qualifications: 5 GCSE Grade C or above to include English, Maths and Science or equivalent or equivalent animal care based qualification or equivalent work/life experiences.

Skills and experience:

Must be able to demonstrate they can work effectively within a team and also to own initiative.

Ability to communicate effectively and to be flexible, proactive and creative in approach to problem solving.

Able to organise own work priorities and carry out all of the practical duties involved within the role.

Salary:

Starts at £14,373 p.a. rising to £15,794 p.a. after meeting various competencies.

About the job: After puppy walking, dogs are returned to the Training School and the Guide Dog Trainer begins by helping the dog to adjust to the routine of training. Simple walks are given to assess the dog’s abilities and then the proper training begins. Trainers may walk many miles each day preparing the dogs for their future work. When the dog is ready, the Guide Dog Trainer passes it on to an Instructor for its advanced training and matching with a visually impaired client. Some evening duties will be necessary.

Entry qualifications: a minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) Grades A-C in core subjects, which must include English Language.

Full UK Driving Licence or be able to demonstrate how you will fulfil the role without this.

Skills and experience: Must have good planning and organisational skills, and able to work to timescales.

Excellent verbal communication skills – including the ability to influence and persuade, and adopt different styles of communication.

Good written skills

Able to work on own initiative, demonstrating a flexible and adaptable approach, but also be empathetic, a team player and be result focused

Must be capable of meeting the physical demands of the role.

Salary: Salary for trainee GDT’s starts at £14,659 p.a. rising to £18,298 p.a. on qualification.

About the job: The GDMI takes the dog through the final stages of training and then matches it to a compatible visually impaired client. Instructors then work daily for up to four weeks with the dog and client, either at their home or from a hotel, to train them and help them work as a partnership.

The client is then supported long term by visits from the Instructor and ‘after care’ visits are made periodically to provide support to the Guide Dog Owner.

Instructors’ work is hard and demanding and they walk long distances almost every day, in all conditions, but this is clearly counterbalanced by the satisfaction provided by this challenging role.

Plenty of travel and some nights away required.

Entry Qualifications:

• 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above or equivalent.

AND

• 2 ‘A’ levels or equivalent, e.g. NVQ level 3.

OR

• City & Guilds Guide Dog Trainer; Dog Care and Welfare or Rehabilitation Worker qualification.

OR

• Extensive work experience that demonstrates the ability to undertake study to Diploma level.

Full UK driving licence or be able to demonstrate how you will fulfil the role without this.

Skills and Experience

Substantial experience of working with adults or children in the areas of teaching, training, coaching, mentoring or supervising.

• Highly-developed verbal and effective written skills,
• Planning and organising self and others,
• Information gathering and problem solving skills,
• Able to work as part of a team and unsupervised as required,
• Basic PC skills (email; Word; Excel; File Management).

Trainees must be able to undertake the three-year trainee programme, including training away from home at Guide Dogs’ locations or in other residential facilities for up to 6 months at a time.

Salary:

Trainee GDMI starts at £17,549 p.a. rising to £26,353 p.a. on qualification.