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Job Description
Part-Time to start (about 20 hrs/week), growing to Full-Time | $20 to $26/hr | Hybrid (admin + field)
ABOUT THE ROLE
Love dogs AND people? We're mainly a recurring dog walking and group hiking company (with pet sitting, let-outs, and our new Doggie Adventure Bus on the way), and we're creating a dedicated Hiring & Training Coordinator role to own how we recruit, train, and develop our team. Until now the owner has handled hiring and training personally, and this is a brand-new role you'll get to shape and build as we scale. Our group hikes take 2 to 4 dogs at a time onto wooded trails, so safety and a real understanding of pack dynamics are at the heart of what we do. It's a hybrid role: you'll split your time between admin work at our office in Old Saybrook (hiring, training, building systems) and real pet care visits in the field across our service area. This is not a work-from-home position. You'll grow, too: this role comes with hands-on development in leadership and human-resources best practices, setting you up for long-term growth with us.
REAL TALK ABOUT FIT
In pet care, a lot of people join because they love animals more than people. This role is the opposite. You'll talk with our team and our clients all day, so being an outgoing, exceptional communicator is the job, not a nice-to-have. If people energize you, you'll thrive. If you'd rather keep to yourself, this isn't the right seat, and that's okay.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
(PHASE 1, STARTING NOW, ~20 HRS/WEEK) Hire ahead of demand: post ads, screen, interview, run shadow shifts, check references, and make conditional offers. Reply to every applicant within 24 hours.
Onboard and train:
deliver hands-on field training, decide who's field-ready, and keep our SOPs and handbook current. Own the first 100 days: milestone check-ins so new hires feel welcomed and stay.
Own safety:
train the team on bite, lost or injured dog, and emergency protocols, and keep Pet CPR current.
Keep records clean:
timesheets, training hours, and continuing-ed for payroll; certification renewals; I-9 and W-4 before the first solo shift.
Be in the field:
cover regular dog walks and small-group trail hikes (2 to 4 dogs) to support the team. Help launch the
Doggie Adventure Bus:
partner with the owner to recruit and train for this new, safety-first service.
WHAT YOU'LL GROW INTO
(PHASE 2, TOWARD
FULL-TIME
) Lead the field trainers: recruit, train, schedule, and recognize the walkers who run shadow shifts. Build and grow continuing education for the team. Build the hiring and training systems and SOPs so we grow consistently.
Manage performance and retention:
regular feedback, 30/60/90 reviews, and exit interviews.
Grow the pipeline:
own recruiting channels and the referral program. Watch for any turnover trends and run recognition that keeps great people here.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Required:
you've managed people or owned new-hire training before.
Required:
professional pet-industry experience (vet, grooming, training, boarding, daycare, dog walking, or pet sitting) with exemplary, hands-on knowledge of working with animals.
Required:
outdoorsy and comfortable hiking wooded trails in all seasons, able to safely handle and hike 2 to 4 dogs at once.
Required:
a strong grasp of dog pack dynamics, and able to teach and train others to lead a group safely. An outgoing, exceptional communicator who loves people as much as animals. Highly organized; calm under pressure; firm but kind when standards slip. Trustworthy and discreet with keys, codes, and client information. Can efficiently use a smartphone and pick up apps for scheduling and tracking. Valid driver's license, reliable insured vehicle, clean driving record, and willing to pass a background check.
NICE TO HAVE
Formal pet-care credentials (Pet CPR, Fear Free, dog-training certifications, or similar). Familiarity with Time To Pet or Notion.
HOW YOU'LL LEAD
Positive friction: hold a high standard with warmth, and lean into the hard conversations.
Real feedback:
frequent, two-way, and specific.
Strong culture:
build belonging and protect the team.
Growth:
see each person's potential and help them reach it.
PAY & PERKS
$20 to $26/hr, based on experience. Tips, mileage reimbursement, paid time off, holiday pay, and end-of-year bonuses. Paid Pet CPR certification and an education stipend. Costco membership, employee discounts, and a referral program. W-2 employment with workers' comp and liability insurance. Full-time managerial positions also include a 401(k) and a health insurance stipend.
THE DETAILS
Schedule:
part-time to start (about 20 hrs/week), growing into full-time. Weekdays 8 AM start. Some weekends required when training and coaching weekend hires.
Hybrid split:
admin (hiring, training, systems) plus pet care visits in the field. Hourly to start; a salaried position will be considered as it grows to full-time. Outdoors in all weather, on your feet, walking several miles on training days.
Tools:
Time To Pet for scheduling; Notion or our CRM for tracking.
WHY IT MATTERS
This role builds a stronger company from the inside out. By bringing in the right people, training them to our standards, and helping them grow, you protect the quality of care every family trusts us with, and build the structure that lets us grow in a healthy way.
TO APPLY
This is work you get to be proud of: building a team that keeps tails wagging and gives families total peace of mind while they're away. You'll watch new hires grow into confident pros, and you'll know every great person you bring on makes a real difference for the pets we love. If that lights you up, we'd love to meet you. Click Apply and submit an updated resume and cover letter. Tell us what draws you to this work. Can't wait to learn about you! :)
