Dog Boarding Manager-In-Training

Job Description

Job Description

Pay: $18.00–$20.00 per hour
Job Type: Full-time
Location: Union Dale, PA
Schedule: 10-hour shifts, weekends, holidays

Eva’s Play Pups provides a safe, enriching, and active environment for dogs in our care. Our managers are expected to lead from within the operation: handling dogs, supporting staff, making sound decisions, maintaining standards, and helping the team succeed through demanding and fast-moving days.

The Manager-in-Training position is a developmental role designed for someone who demonstrates strong leadership potential and is interested in progressing into Assistant Manager and, ultimately, Manager responsibilities.

This is not a position where someone is expected to arrive already knowing every aspect of our operation. It is a role where the individual must demonstrate the ability to learn, lead, make decisions, accept feedback, manage stress, and develop credibility with both staff and dogs.

Progression is based on demonstrated competency and successful completion of the MIT training process.

What You’ll Learn and Be Expected to Demonstrate

During the MIT program, you will work alongside experienced managers and gradually take on increasing responsibility for daily operations.

You will be expected to develop proficiency in:

• 
  Safely managing dog play groups and recognizing canine body language and behavioral concerns
• Leading by example while remaining actively involved in daily physical work
• Creating and communicating the daily operational plan
• Delegating responsibilities based on team needs and employee capability
• Following up on delegated work and correcting incomplete or below-standard performance
• Keeping the overall operation on track while balancing competing priorities
• Making timely decisions within your authority and knowing when additional guidance is needed
• Giving employees clear, respectful, and actionable feedback
• Addressing performance concerns in the moment rather than allowing problems to continue
• Remaining calm and effective during conflict, emergencies, staffing challenges, and changes in plan
• Communicating respectfully and proactively with fellow managers
• Raising concerns directly when you disagree with a decision and supporting the agreed-upon plan once direction has been established
• Taking ownership of decisions, outcomes, and areas for improvement
• Supporting employee morale without lowering operational expectations
• Applying company policies, procedures, safety expectations, and escalation protocols consistently

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

As your training progresses, responsibilities may include:

• 
  Participating in daily dog care, play groups, hikes, feeding, medication, cleaning, and kennel operations
• Reviewing behavioral and medical notes before assigning or managing dog groups
• Helping create safe and manageable play groups
• Monitoring dogs for health, behavioral, or safety concerns and escalating concerns appropriately
• Assigning daily responsibilities to staff
• Monitoring workflow, pace, and completion of assigned tasks
• Coaching employees and correcting deficiencies as they occur
• Supporting new-hire training
• Communicating operational updates between shifts and management teams
• Coordinating with office staff, drivers, media staff, HR, and other departments
• Assisting with photos and videos of dogs as needed
• Supporting medication, feeding, weight, and wellness procedures
• Completing required operational reports and documentation
• Participating in manager meetings and leadership training
• Taking on additional responsibilities as readiness develops

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who can become a credible, dependable leader in a hands-on environment.

Strong candidates typically demonstrate:

• 
  Reliability and consistent attendance
• The ability to stay productive and composed during stressful or unpredictable situations
• Confidence without arrogance
• Willingness to make decisions and accept responsibility for the outcome
• Strong follow-through
• Comfort giving clear direction to others
• The ability to receive feedback without becoming defensive or disengaged
• Good judgment about when to act independently and when to ask for help
• The ability to disagree professionally and work within a leadership team
• Strong observation and problem-solving skills
• Respectful communication
• A willingness to hold others accountable
• Positive influence on team morale
• Commitment to animal safety and employee safety
• The ability to balance empathy with the operational needs of the business

Physical and Operational Requirements

This is an active, hands-on position in a dog-care environment.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including:

• 
  Walking and standing for extended periods
• Working outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Hiking for significant portions of the workday
• Handling dogs of varying sizes and strength
• Responding quickly when safety concerns arise
• Climbing, Bending, Twisting, Squatting
• Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds
• Performing cleaning, feeding, kennel, and property-related tasks

Preferred Experience

• 
  1–2 years of leadership, supervisory, or team-lead experience
• Experience working in a fast-paced operational environment
• Experience giving feedback or directing the work of others
• Customer service experience
• Dog handling, kennel, veterinary, training, shelter, or animal-care experience

Dog-handling experience is helpful but not required if the candidate demonstrates strong learning ability, sound judgment, and the physical capability to perform the role.

MIT Progression

Advancement is not based solely on time in the position.

Manager-in-Training employees are evaluated on demonstrated readiness in areas including:

• 
  Dog handling and operational credibility
• Reliability and work consistency
• Time management and prioritization
• Delegation and follow-up
• Staff accountability
• Confidence and decisiveness
• Communication
• Leadership alignment
• Emotional regulation
• Responsibility and ownership
• Judgment and understanding of the role

Successful completion of the MIT program may result in advancement to Assistant Manager based on demonstrated readiness and organizational need.