Assistant Trainer - Program Instructor Track

The Paws for Purple Hearts’ Assistant Trainer position is a feeder position for the Associate Program Instructor position. Promotion to the Associate Program Instructor will be considered with completion of probationary period and seven week Service Dog Seminar training unless applicants have attended Bergin College of Canine Studies.

The Paws for Purple Hearts’ Assistant Trainer is expected to have met the following specific educational requirements:

• AS degree
• Preferably volunteer experience with Paws for Purple Hearts or other assistance dog organizations.

Prior experience preferred for this position includes:

• Two-years experience in human service/mental health field (licensing may be required based on assignment);
• One-year experience in dog handling/training or kennel work, desirable if with assistance dogs;
• Work in or knowledge of the assistance dogs field;
• A background in teaching or human health services related to disabilities (particularly Veterans' mental health or mobility).

Basic qualifications include the following areas:

• A strong desire to teach dogs to help people;
• Knowledge of and or interest in teaching people to train puppies and dogs using positive methods;
• Knowledge of or an interest in understanding and working with Warriors (active-duty and Veteran military personnel) with physical and psychological injuries;
• Knowledge of or an interest in symptomatology related to Post Traumatic Stress acquired from military deployments and other circumstances;
• Licensing from a board of behavioral science may be required based on assignment;
• Accurate reporting and record keeping;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to make presentations to the general public or other interested parties;
• Ability to complete all requirements for the locations of our services, which may include TB testing, vaccination requirements, and background checks to gain clearance to military bases and locations;
• Compatibility with PPH’s direction and purpose;
• Drivers License. 

Responsibilities:

• As assigned by and under close supervision of the Senior Program Instructor under the direction of the National Dog Program Director, assist in the implementation and maintenance of the Paws for Purple Hearts Assistance Dog Training Program and the specialty management roles as appropriate to each regional site;
• As assigned by and under close supervision of the Senior Program Instructor under the direction of the National Dog Program Director, assist with the concept of dogs helping veterans, active-duty military and other military personnel;
• As assigned by and under close supervision of the Senior Program Instructor under the direction of the National Dog Program Director, assist in the development of an influential stakeholders group to compliment and sustain the program;
• Continuing professional education, including, if instructed for job promotional purposes, to attend Bergin College of Canine Studies’s seven week seminar either in Winter 2024/25 or Summer 2025.
• Commitment to PPH’s mission, goals, objectives;
• All other duties as assigned by the Senior Program Instructor as approved by the National Dog Program Director, the Site Manager or Regional Director or the National staff responsible for that specialty.

Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Are you willing to complete all requirements including but not limited to required vaccines, TB testing, and paperwork for military base access in order to provide the services to our clients and participants?
• Are you willing and able to travel to Oregon for a 7 week training seminar?

Ability to Relocate:

• San Diego, CA 92110

Work Location: In person

Full job description

A Paws for Purple Hearts' Associate Program Instructor position has three main areas involved, the primary goal being to help our Veterans and active duty service men and women who have given so much to keep our country safe:
1. The Paws for Purple Hearts’ Program Associate Program Instructor is required to have met the following specific educational requirements:

• An Associate Degree, Certificate, or minor in Assistance Dog Education;
• Certificate in Veterans’ Canine Therapeutic Intervention
• Ability to complete all requirements for the locations of our services, which may include TB testing, vaccination requirements, and background checks to gain clearance to military bases and locations.

2. Prior experience preferred for this position includes:

• Two years experience in human services/mental health field, preferably with Veterans;
• Three years experience in dog training, one of which has been spent with assistance dogs;
• Work in or a extensive knowledge of the assistance dog field;
• One year teaching experience.

3. Basic qualifications include the following areas:

• A strong desire to teach Veterans and/or their immediate family members with behavioral, educational, physical or psychological difficulties to train dogs as a canine therapeutic intervention;
• Knowledge of and an exceptional ability to teach people to train puppies and dogs using positive methods;
• Knowledge of and an exceptional ability to understand and work with Veterans with physical and psychological injuries;
• Knowledge of symptomology related to Post Traumatic Stress acquired from military deployments and other circumstances;
• Accurate reporting and record keeping;
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills;
• Knowledge of basic research protocols and research funding opportunities;
• Compatibility with the organization’s direction and purpose

4. Responsibilities:

• Help implement, maintain and manage the Paws for Purple Hearts program as designated by the Dog Program Manager and Senior Program Instructor
• Help assist in the development of an influential stakeholders group to compliment and sustain the program;
• Help expand and innovate the concept of dogs helping veterans and other military personnel;
• Continuing professional education;
• Commitment to PPH’s mission, goals, objectives;
• All other duties as assigned by the Dog Program Manager, Site Manager or Regional Director, or the National staff responsible for that specialty or the CEO.