1. Volunteer Role Description for: Location: Main contact:
Dog School Volunteer
Essex Area
Hannah Wilkinson
Head Coach
Purpose of the role: Working to Dogs Trust’s standards and Health and Safety guidelines to support and assist the Dog School Coaches during training classes. The aim of Dog School is to help owners to train their dogs in a kind, fair and effective way. This will enhance day to day living and enable the best possible relationship to develop.
Key tasks:
To Support the Dog School Coaches in the execution of training classes. This is very much a support function and volunteers will never be expected to take a class.
Helping owners with the training tasks in the class situation, aiding them on a 121 basis to perform simple training skills..
Setting up and packing down the equipment needed for the classes, and helping with administration needed within the class.
Skills/experience required:
Passionate about dogs and dog welfare.
Confidence around different breeds and sizes of dogs is essential, and preferably candidates will have interacted with a variety of dogs.
Excellent face to face communication skills with the ability to listen effectively, and follow instructions in a busy fast paced environment.
Good level of fitness to carry out the role quickly and efficiently.
Confident and approachable manner
Ability to work comfortably in a close knit team.
Experience of working in a training class environment would be advantageous, although full training will be provided.
We regret that we can only accept applications from those over the age of 18
Time commitment:
Tuesday evenings 6pm – 9pm at Writtle College, Chelmsford OR
Thursday daytime 12pm – 3pm at Dogs Trust Basildon
Saturday mornings 9am – 12pm at Havering Dog Training Centre, Harold Wood
You must be able to commit to a regular class on an on-going basis. Please indicate on your application form which day you are applying for. We are limited to two Volunteers on each day and so will need to consider this when shortlisting the applications.
To apply please with a covering letter stating why you are applying for the role and a request for an application form.
Following the closing date we will shortlist the applications and invite selected candidates to attend an interview.
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:
30th September 2016

2. Volunteer Role Description for:
Dog School Volunteer
What you can expect from Dogs Trust as a volunteer:
A staff member main contact who will manage your tasks, answer your questions and help you with the volunteer rota
Another volunteer or a member of staff who will help you through your first few weeks at the centre
Volunteer uniform Top (comfortable trousers and footwear - volunteers own).
Induction and ongoing role-specific training, guidance and support
An opportunity to feed back to your main contact about your experience volunteering with Dogs Trust
Recognition of the role that you are carrying out in support of Dogs Trust through our Volunteer Merits Scheme
Opportunities to try new things and learn new skills e.g. basic dog training skills/ customer service skills.
A message from the CEO
Without our dedicated volunteers we couldn’t hope to achieve as much as we do for the dogs in our care; the support from our volunteers is absolutely vital to our work.
The work that volunteers help us with may not always be easy, but I know that volunteering with Dogs Trust is a rewarding experience.
Adrian Burder
Chief Executive
What we expect from our volunteers:
Support Dogs Trust in its work and carry out your volunteer role to the best of your ability
Complete a Rehoming Centre volunteer induction session, this will be held at your centre and complete any other additional training as required
Make new people welcome and work well within the team
Recognise the importance of our members, sponsors and donors in supporting the work of Dogs Trust
Wear your Dogs Trust volunteer uniform at the centre and ensure you are presentable at all times
Support Dogs Trust procedures and standards by:
Being aware of your own health and safety and of that of others
Respecting others and treating people equally irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation (Equality Act 2010)
Ensure all activities undertaken in the name of Dogs Trust achieve the charitable aims and objectives and do not bring the organisation into disrepute
Be accountable and accept constructive comments
Maintain confidentiality regarding Dogs Trust activity, the dogs in our care and our team
Meet time commitments and standards agreed, and give reasonable notice when unavailable, so other arrangements can be made
Be a positive representative of Dogs Trust, ensuring you are polite and friendly to all visitors to the centre
Dogs Trust
Basildon Rehoming Centre
Nevendon Road
Wickford
Essex
SS12 0FH E: T: @:
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. Through our network of 21 rehoming centres across the UK and one in Dublin we care for 16,000 abandoned and unwanted dogs a year. No healthy dog is ever destroyed.