Job opportunities with Seeing Eye Dogs
If you’re looking for a unique career with the opportunity to make a real impact in social inclusion, you’ve come to the right place. There are a number of working roles within Seeing Eye Dogs which range from caring for and training dogs to administrative or marketing roles to support fundraising and operations.
Jobs working with dogs are highly desirable among animal lovers, so there is a lot of interest in paid roles at Seeing Eye Dogs. If you have your heart set on a career with Seeing Eye Dogs, we recommend applying for a volunteer position to get some hands-on experience and find out if this is the job for you.
Applying for a job at Seeing Eye Dogs Australia
Seeing Eye Dogs is Australia’s only national breeder, trainer and provider of dog guides. Operating as a division of Vision Australia, open opportunities and positions are listed on the Vision Australia careers page.
Seeing Eye Dogs is headquartered in Kensington, Melbourne, with some staff based across NSW, WA and QLD to support local clients.
Applying for a work experience placement
Seeing Eye Dogs offers work experience placements to current school students from years 10 to 12, University and TAFE students, who have a keen interest in working with dogs and in contributing to the blind and low vision community.
Our unique work experience program offers students the chance to learn about the vital work that we do to support the blind and low vision community whilst gaining hands-on industry experience.
Due to operational requirements, we can only take two students per month and all placements are:
- located at our kennel site in Kensington (Vic)
- from Monday to Friday (on specified weeks throughout the year)
between the hours of:
- 9am – 3pm for school students, and
- 9am – 5pm for University and TAFE students.
Please note that our 2024 placements are now full.
If you are interested in a placement for 2025, please submit an expression of interest through this form.
Visit the volunteers page to learn more.
Job roles working with dogs
Seeing Eye Dog Trainers and Mobility Instructors
Seeing Eye Dogs Trainers work closely with our dogs from about 12-15 months of age to complete advanced training as a dog guide. Physical fitness is a must as our trainers are working outside and are walking every day in all kinds of weather.
While ‘must love dogs’ comes with the job description, interpersonal skills are essential. Our trainers work closely with Seeing Eye Dog Mobility Instructors and clients in their daily roles. From assessing what they want to achieve with their mobility to matching them with a dog and training both as a working team.
We hire accredited International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) qualified Trainers and Instructors as well as offering cadetships to receive this accreditation and experience. Becoming a Seeing Eye Dog Trainer and Mobility Instructor takes around three and a half years. Practical training covers all aspects of working with a Seeing Eye Dog, as well as orientation and mobility training and adult learning.
While there are no mandatory academic qualifications required for entry into our cadetship program, we do consider previous experience or study in related fields such as animal science, orientation and mobility, or occupational therapy.
Puppy Development Trainers
Seeing Eye Dogs spend the first 12-15 months of their life with a volunteer Puppy Carer, under the guidance of our expert Puppy Development Trainers.
Our Puppy Development Trainers are responsible for recruiting, motivating and managing these volunteers. They also direct training programs and assess the pups to monitor their progress and suitability for Seeing Eye Dogs training. As the first point of contact for our volunteer community, our Puppy Development Trainers are highly organised and possess great teaching skills.
There are no formal academic qualifications required, with in-house training provided for Puppy Development Trainers. Depending on the previous experience of the trainee, this process can take around nine months.
Kennel Attendants
Seeing Eye Dogs Australia has both volunteer kennel staff and paid kennel attendants. Staff working in the kennels manage the health and welfare of our dogs, providing a happy and stimulating environment for dogs of all ages. They work as a team, with some shift and weekend work required.
Training as a kennel attendant is flexible and can be completed part-time with studies or other work. Many of our kennel staff go on to work in specialist jobs at Seeing Eye Dogs, such as within our breeding programme or training and development.
