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CAREERS​

CURRENT OPENINGS

Are you passionate about quality of life for shelter dogs and those that love them? 

Dogs Playing for Life is frequently hiring canine handlers that travel to our advanced behavior center and mentor shelters across the country. For canine handlers and other available career opportunities, please see below.

If no jobs are posted, please feel free to send your resume to Emily at [email protected].

Job Title: Canine Handler

FLSA Status: Full-time employee, non-exempt

Reports to: Director of Training & Behavior

Date last reviewed: August 25, 2021

Position Summary

The Canine Center Handler works cooperatively with other Handlers to help facilitate behavior modification of Canine Center board and train dogs. Animal handling will be commensurate with the philosophy of DPFL and DPFL’s mission. This position is responsible for daily dog handling and training under the direction of the Lead Trainer. Current opportunity is in Lake City, Florida, but candidates that want to travel in for their shifts by air, at DPFL's expense, are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • On leash training working with dogs independently and in group sessions with other Handlers.
  • Support of playgroup management either by bringing dogs to play yards or by assisting Lead within yards during playgroups.
  • Provide in-kennel enrichment
  • Report to Lead Trainer any concerns preventing safe and effective handling
  • Obtain and upload photos and videos of dogs’ progress
  • Occasional cleaning as needed to support kennel functions
  • Other tasks as requested by the Lead Instructor

Compensation

Hourly pay starts at $17 with extensive growth opportunities and benefits include Paid Time Off and Health Insurance Expense Reimbursement Arrangement.

Education and Experience:

  • At the discretion of the CEO

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of basic dog behavior and training principles.
  • Demonstrated excellent verbal communication skills.
  • Able to work a flexible schedule.
  • Must hold a valid driver’s license and have an insurable driving record.

Working Conditions:

  • Frequent travel with airplane and car if traveling to work.
  • Physically demanding work, walking and standing all day.
  • Office and animal kennel environment.
  • Potential exposure to high noise levels, behaviorally challenged animals and zoonotic diseases.
  • Exposure to all weather conditions.
  • Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.

 To apply, please email your resume and a cover letter to [email protected].

Job Title: Director of Development

FLSA Status: Full-time employee, exempt

Reports to: Chief Innovation Officer

Date last reviewed: December 3, 2019

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Director of Development oversees all activities related to philanthropic giving for operating, capital and planned giving funds. In partnership with the Chief Innovation Officer, Chief Executive Officer and other key volunteers and staff, the Director of Development provides leadership, management and coordination for the fundraising campaigns and outreach efforts.

The Director of Development manages all aspects of the fund development program and secures funds in a wide variety of ways, including but not limited to: identifying prospective supporters, building and cultivating relationships, making direct requests to individuals, major gifts, and annual fund campaigns and implementing special events.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Culture of Philanthropy: In partnership with Chief Innovation Officer, Chief Executive Officer, and Board of Directors, ensure all plans, strategies, activities and fundraising programs support and are delivered through a culture of philanthropy lens. Guide all staff and volunteers including the Board to embrace and engage in their unique roles in fund development.

  • Development Plan: Create a donor-centered Development Plan that reflects the values and goals of Dogs Playing for Life, focuses on strengthening relationships with donors, and includes strategic planning around annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, and endowment.
  • Annual Fund and Underwriting
  • Donor Relationships
  • Major Gifts: Create individual donor/prospect cultivation plans and cultivate and solicit major gifts. This includes working with the Chief Innovation Officer, Chief Executive Officer and members of the Board of Directors.
  • Grants: In partnership with appropriate program staff, write grant applications and manage and report on grant funding, and ensure funders are stewarded and recognized appropriately.
  • Special Fundraising Events: Implement and manage special fundraising events to raise charitable funds while establishing, building, strengthening and stewarding relationships with donors and/or prospects.
  • Planned Giving: Research and cultivate donors for estate planning purposes, including bequests, charitable remainder trusts, annuities, legacy campaign, and other planned giving tools.
  • Other Funding Sources: Solicit in-kind gifts, matching gifts, and other funding sources.
  • Remain current with all aspects of philanthropy, ensure Dogs Playing for Life’s fundraising is conducted with the highest ethical and legal standards, comply with the Association of Fundraising Professionals code of ethics, and maintain confidentiality of all donor records.
  • Perform other related duties as requested

Compensation

Salary range is $55,000-$60,000 and benefits include Paid Time Off and Health Insurance Expense Reimbursement Arrangement.

Job Qualifications

  • Education and Experience:
    • At the discretion of the CEO
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
    • Must embrace the mission of Dogs Playing for Life
    • Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
    • Have knowledge and experience in fundraising techniques
    • Possess the skills to work with and motivate staff, board members and volunteers
    • Be a “self-starter” and goal-driven
    • Display a positive attitude, show concern for people and animals, demonstrate presence, self-confidence, common sense, and good listening ability.
    • Strong public speaking skills and ability to engage crowds to both educate and rally support.
    • Must hold a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.

Working Conditions:

  • Frequent travel by airplane and car.
  • Office and animal shelter environment.
  • Potential exposure to high noise levels, potentially aggressive animals and zoonotic diseases.
  • Exposure to all weather conditions.
  • Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
  • Frequent use of computer and telephone.
  • Engagement with executive-level clientele

 To apply, please email your resume and a cover letter to [email protected].

Job Title: Canine Enrichment Coordinator

FLSA Status: Full-time employee, exempt

Reports to: Director of Shelter Programming

Date last reviewed: September 8, 2022

Position Summary

The Canine Enrichment Coordinator will work in collaboration with staff and volunteers at Los Angeles Animal Services to maintain individualized enrichment and training protocols commensurate with the philosophy of DPFL Programming and overall mission of
enhanced quality of life for maximum life-saving. This position attends to the emotional and
behavioral well-being of the entire shelter canine population.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

● Ensures rotation of all qualifying dogs through daily PG.
● Responsible for ensuring sufficient daily exercise and time outside of their enclosure for all
sheltered dogs while helping to coordinate assistance from staff and volunteers.
● Communicates promptly and effectively with other shelter staff in order to assure
consistency of dog handling based on changing needs and to provide updates on individual
behavior concerns.
● Assists in maintaining adequate signage and documentation (on kennels, around the
building, and within electronic records) for the entire canine population.
● Works with shelter staff to implement enrichment and training protocols for individual dogs
(on-site and off-site).
● Develops and maintains a check-point system to assess behavioral well-being of the canine
population.
● Assists, as requested, in training volunteers to handle the dogs consistently and safely.
● Maintains kennel environment by relocating dogs when behaviorally advantageous,
designating daily kennel enrichment and providing for necessary kennel communication to
guide staff and volunteers in ideal care for each dog.
● Communicates with Adoption Staff about dog behavior updates and adoption promotion
opportunities unique to individual dogs.
● Provides adoption counseling to potential adopters for dogs specified as needing special
adoption recommendations and/or support.
● Conducts dog-dog interactions with potential adopters, when requested.
● Teach/train designated kennel staff proper handling techniques in accordance with DPFL
Programming.
● Ensures canine enrichment areas (playgroup yards) are properly cleaned and maintained.
● Supports organization in the development and implementation of any new protocols or
programs designed to enhance the quality of life for the entire canine population.
● Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

● Proven knowledge of the guidelines and practices in an animal welfare/shelter
environment.
● Knowledge of local animal control laws and state humane laws and their application to
the general public and the relationship to adoption.
● Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
● Excellent interpersonal communication, public speaking, and customer service skills.
● Ability to use a PC and widely used software packages, e.g., spreadsheets (Excel), word
processing (MS Word), Chameleon shelter software; ability to learn new
software as necessary.
● Ability to meet deadlines; ability to set and accomplish work in order of priority;
professionally maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure and changing
conditions.
● Able to work a flexible schedule with regular weekend and evening activities.
● Must hold a valid driver’s license and have an insurable driving record.
Working Conditions:
● Office and animal shelter environment.
● Potential exposure to high noise levels, behaviorally challenged and potentially
aggressive animals and zoonotic diseases.
● Exposure to all weather conditions.
● Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
● Frequent use of computer and telephone.

 To apply, please email your resume and a cover letter to [email protected].

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