Canine Welfare​/Neonatal Technician

At GDB, build a career in early canine development!

At Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), we believe in the power of partnerships; we connect people, dogs, and communities with the mission to transform the lives of individuals with visual impairments. Our incredible dogs help us to achieve this, and our Canine Welfare / Neonatal Technicians are pivotal in their role of caring for and supporting the early development of these puppies on their journey to potentially become guide dogs for the blind or visually impaired.

As a Canine Welfare / Neonatal Technician at our San Rafael campus, you’ll have the crucial role of keeping our puppies and their parents healthy and thriving. It requires collaborative teamwork, attention to detail, and a lot of physical activity. We’re a complex, state-of-the-art facility and the rewards of working with our dogs and supporting our mission are endless.
We also offer a generous pay rate, with room to grow and build a career with our neonatal team!

• Feed, bathe, medicate, and provide 24/7 care for new dams (moms) and their puppies
• Maintain a clean kennel environment to specific biosecurity standards
• Keep precise records relating to daily care, conditions under observation, and enrichment provided to the dogs and puppies
• Assist with breeding and whelping (birthing), working closely staff to provide specialized support
• Learn about early canine development and socialization goals to help direct volunteers
• Provide structured learning opportunities as well as outlets for play
• Support with health checks
• Perform data entry and reception duties related to dogs coming into or leaving our kennel

• Our supportive 3-month training and mentorship program; you’ll receive mentorship as a new employee and provide mentorship to others as your experience develops and grows
• Our 28,000-square-foot Puppy Center and nursery
• The camaraderie of our incredible team
• Opportunities to learn about neonatal care and early canine development
• A campus with extras like an onsite gym and where you can bring your dog to work
• A generous benefits package that includes vacation & holidays, health insurance, retirement savings plan and more!

• Interest in learning specialized dog care skills and building your career in early canine development and care
• Ability to give and receive feedback and demonstrate positive and collaborative teamwork
• Ability to communicate via charting, voice mail, e-mail, do basic data entry and learn new technology, including an online learning system
• Attention to detail, with good observational and recordkeeping skills
• Stamina to handle repetitive bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, scooping, and hosing
• Dependable attendance
• Requires day, night, weekend, and holiday shifts as this team works a 24-hour/day schedule

At Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB), we believe that everyone deserves to move through the world safely and confidently – to live the life they want to live. As the largest guide dog school in North America, we have graduated more than 16,000 guide dog teams from across the U.S. and Canada since our founding in 1942. GDB not only improves mobility for our clients, we further inclusion.

Join our team of more than 300 employees and share your passion for our mission.

At Guide Dogs for the Blind, we respect, value, and appreciate all differences. We welcome all qualified candidates irrespective of your race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Individuals with disabilities, especially those who are blind or visually impaired, are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability and need assistance and/or accommodation with applying for a job, please feel free to contact our Human Resources department.

$25.16 / Hour

Full-time (40 hours/week), with day, night, weekend, and holiday shifts as this team works a 24-hour/day schedule