At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform lives of children with visual impairments through dog partnerships.
- Company: Guide Dogs, a compassionate organisation dedicated to supporting those with sight loss.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while working with dogs.
- Qualifications: Experience in dog behaviour, training, and a person-centred approach.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About The Role
This role covers the Midlands region, with regular travel across Warwickshire and Oxfordshire, and occasional travel to Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, as well as some national trips. You will be primarily connected to our Leamington office, with a hybrid working arrangement that offers flexibility while maintaining strong collaboration with colleagues and teams. The position is full-time, 35 hours per week, typically worked Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. There may be a requirement to work occasional evenings and weekends, and due to the travel involved, some overnight stays may be necessary.
Imagine playing a key role in transforming the lives of children and young people with visual impairments through the power of a dog. As a Buddy Dog Partnership Specialist, you'll help them gain confidence, independence, and joy through the unique and powerful connection with a well-matched, well-trained dog. If you have a person-centred approach to care, and the ability to build relationships that truly matter, this is your opportunity to be part of something deeply rewarding.
In this role, you'll work closely with children and their families, understanding their individual needs and aspirations to deliver tailored training, support, and guidance throughout their Buddy Dog journey. From delivering engaging workshops to conducting home visits and offering ongoing aftercare, your insight and empathy will be essential to making every partnership a success. You'll see the opportunity to develop young people's skills through animal assisted interventions and empower families to reach their goals with your support.
Your expertise in dog behaviour and training will also be vital. You'll assess dogs for temperament and suitability, develop their skills through positive reinforcement techniques, and match each one thoughtfully with the right person or family. You'll consider not just the dog's capabilities but also the lifestyle, home environment and emotional needs of each service user, ensuring a safe, lasting, and enriching bond.
As a trusted advisor, you'll provide professional reports, risk assessments, and progress reviews that guide key decisions. You'll be a valued part of a collaborative, compassionate team, working across departments to continually improve how we support people living with sight loss. This is more than a job — it's a chance to bring meaningful change to people's lives every single day, by creating partnerships that heal, uplift, and inspire.
If you're ready to combine your love of dogs, people, and purpose into a truly fulfilling career, we'd love to hear from you.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality.
As a Disability Confident Employer, we are proud, whenever possible, to offer an interview to all candidates that meet our selection criteria, and who indicate they wish their application to be considered under our Disability Confident interview commitment. For more details, visit our careers site.
If you are successful you will need to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK via our digital ID checking supplier; in addition, we cannot offer visa sponsorship at this time.
Every day is different at Guide Dogs. And no person with sight loss is the same. We work side by side, on our sites and in the community, in schools and on our streets, supporting people to live the life they choose. Our staff therefore also work in different ways to support the delivery of our life changing work.
Safeguarding
Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.
Buddy Dog Partnership Specialist employer: Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
At Guide Dogs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people with visual impairments. With a hybrid working arrangement based in Leamington, our team enjoys flexibility while collaborating closely to deliver tailored support and training, fostering both personal and professional growth. Join us to be part of a compassionate community dedicated to transforming lives through the unique bond between dogs and their partners.
Contact Details:
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Buddy Dog Partnership Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Trebuchet MS and their values. This will help you connect your personal experiences with their mission, especially how you can transform lives through the Buddy Dog programme.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to your experience with dogs and working with children. Think about specific examples that showcase your skills in building relationships and delivering tailored support.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, let your love for dogs and helping others shine through. Share stories that highlight your empathy and commitment to making a difference in the lives of children with visual impairments.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you another chance to reiterate why you're the perfect fit for the Buddy Dog Partnership Specialist position.
We think you need these skills to ace Buddy Dog Partnership Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your love for dogs and helping people shine through. We want to see how your personal experiences connect with the role of a Buddy Dog Partnership Specialist.
Tailor Your Examples:Make sure to provide specific examples that demonstrate how your skills and experiences meet the criteria in the job description. We’re looking for real-life stories that highlight your person-centred approach and ability to build relationships.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for this role.
Prepare for Job-Specific Questions:Don’t forget that part of the application involves answering job-specific questions. Take some time to think about your responses beforehand, so you can showcase your expertise in dog behaviour and training effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
✨Know Your Stuff About Dogs
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of dog behaviour and training techniques. Be ready to discuss how you would assess a dog's temperament and match them with a child or family. This shows that you’re not just passionate about dogs, but also understand their needs and how they can help others.
✨Show Your People Skills
This role is all about building relationships, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully connected with children and families in the past. Think about specific situations where your empathy and communication skills made a difference, and be ready to discuss them.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, like a child struggling with their Buddy Dog. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges and how you would approach them, focusing on your person-centred approach to care.
✨Demonstrate Your Flexibility
Since this role involves travel and occasional evening or weekend work, it’s important to show that you’re adaptable. Share experiences where you’ve had to adjust your schedule or approach to meet the needs of others, highlighting your commitment to making a positive impact.
