Breeding Center Attendant

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A Breeding Center Attendant works within the Breeding & Puppy Development team to provide daily care & husbandry to all dogs housed in the NEADS Breeding Center and sanitize facilities to maintain a clean environment. This position works in two areas within the building: the nursery, which is a quarantined, bio-secure space where litters of puppies are whelped and raised; and the breeding kennel, where adult breeding dogs are temporarily housed for breeding needs.

• Follow all established NEADS protocols, procedures, and policies
• Develop and maintain canine handling skills approved by the NEADS training team, which follow Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) methods in accordance with training standards set by Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
• Responsible for the daily thorough sanitation of NEADS Breeding Center
  • Proper disposal and surface cleaning of puppy and dog elimination
  • Proper use and application of approved chemical products
• Responsible for reading all important daily information prior to action and for retaining important and pertinent information from shift to shift
• Responsible for properly preparing and feeding meals and snacks
• Ensure the safety and well-being of dogs, including but not limited to:
  • Reporting all health issues to the Director of Veterinary Medicine
  • Complying with directives from the Director of Veterinary Medicine
  • Properly administering all medications and
  • Maintaining safe living conditions for all puppies and dogs
  • Providing canine enrichment
• Complete medical, nursery and breeding kennel paperwork thoroughly and accurately
• Guide and direct volunteers to complete tasks during their volunteer shifts
• Assist with Nursery and Breeding Kennel intake and exit procedures for puppies and dogs
• Bathe and groom puppies/dogs as needed
• Transport puppies/dogs as needed to appointments and to other organizations in the service dog industry
• Assist with all other necessary daily operation tasks as needed
• Interact in a professional manner with all staff, volunteers, clients, and visitors
• Be well versed in NEADS program offerings, history, and overall Mission

• Good knowledge of canine behavior and husbandry skills
• Ability to work in a quarantined, bio-secure facility
  • Involves changing into clean scrubs and shoes to enter the facility
• Ability to work in a kennel environment which can include:
  • Barking dogs for periods of time
  • Loud noises from the power washing system
  • Working with concentrated and diluted cleaning chemicals
• Comfortable working with intact dogs and dogs in heat
• Strong attention to detail and clear verbal and written communication skills including the ability to switch task throughout a shift
• Ability to retain pertinent information from shift to shift
• Ability to work independently and proactively as well as collaboratively within a team
• Ability to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to stand for 3-5 hours at a time
• Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments year-round
• Flexible to changes in daily routines

• Must be 18 years or older:
  • Ability to work overnight (8pm – 4am) or early morning shifts (4am – Noon) when new litters of puppies are born
  • Ability to stay on campus overnight in the event of a weather emergency such as a snowstorm
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• Hands‑on experience working in animal care preferred
• Experience working with volunteers a plus

This position will generally work Thursday – Monday with Tuesday & Wednesday off, totaling 40 hours/week. Regular shifts are scheduled 7am–4pm and 10am–7pm, with a one‑hour unpaid lunch break.

There will be some variations in scheduling during 24‑hour care.

• When a new litter is born, we shift into 24‑hour care for a period of roughly 5 days. During this time, shifts are 4am–Noon, Noon–8pm, and 8pm–4am.

Starts at $15.75/hour

• Employer Matched 403b
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending programs