Part-Time Programs Facilitator

Overview

• Job Title: Part-Time Programs Facilitator
• Location: Bushwick, Brooklyn
• Reports To: Programs and Career Development Manager (PCDM)
• Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 8:30am-5:00pm (Pawsability is open to adjusting these days to accommodate the right candidate!)
• Compensation: $20-22 / hr
• Position Term: This role is funded for an initial one-year term, with a strong outlook for renewal as our program continues to expand. We are looking for a candidate who wants to learn and grow with our organization.

About Pawsability Dog Club

Pawsability Dog Club is a Bushwick-based non-profit that combines exceptional pet care with a powerful social mission.

• For Dogs: We offer top-tier daycare, grooming, and walking services for our community's canine residents.
• For People: We empower autistic and neurodivergent individuals through free programming, including our flagship 70-hour vocational training program, providing skills, certifications, and career support to help them build successful careers in the pet care industry.

Role Overview

Pawsability is growing! Thanks to new funding, we are doubling the impact of our Vocational Training Program this fall by increasing our cohort size and moving into a new, larger classroom. We are seeking a dedicated Part-Time Programs Facilitator to anchor this expansion. In this role, you will take ownership of daily classroom instruction and provide direct, hands-on mentorship for program participants. Your leadership in the classroom is crucial to our success. Below we have outlined more details regarding this role.

Key Responsibilities

Classroom Instruction & Trainee Supervision

• Serve as the primary on-site instructor for training sessions 3 days a week.
• Teach Pawsability’s established curriculum and assist the PCDM with ongoing curriculum adaptations.
• Plan and prepare daily lessons, including organizing physical materials and facilitating activities.
• Provide 1:1 guidance, hands-on mentorship, and emotional support to Trainees.
• Ensure all training maintains our strict 1:3 staff-to-participant ratio to guarantee safety and quality.
• Lead and supervise Trainees during NYC-based field trips (e.g., animal shelters, pet stores).
• Assist Trainees with the successful completion of online coursework.

Program Operations & Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the General Manager and PCDM to balance mentorship responsibilities with daycare schedules.
• Assign roles and responsibilities to dog handlers (who also serve as incredible mentors for program participants!) during visits, emphasizing guest and dog safety.
• Actively cultivate a supportive, sensory-safe, and accommodating environment for all participants.
• As needed, assist with Pawsability’s other programs and initiatives that support our greater mission

Qualifications

• Experience: Demonstrated experience in animal handling/behavior OR special education, social work, or a related field (if you have experience doing both, that's a bonus!)
• Mission Alignment: Deep commitment to Pawsability's mission of empowering neurodivergent adults.
• Lived Experience: We value diverse perspectives. Individuals who identify as neurodivergent, disabled, or otherwise underrepresented are encouraged to apply.
• Skills:
  • Exceptional patience, empathy, and classroom management skills.
  • Strong communication skills to effectively mentor adults with varying learning styles.
  • Solid understanding of dog behavior in a social, group environment.
  • Highly organized with the ability to prepare lessons and manage daily schedules independently.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and be active for extended periods.
• Comfortable and confident working directly with dogs of various sizes and temperaments in a group play environment.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your interest in the role.

Employment Details

Employment with Pawsability Dog Club is at-will. Pawsability Dog Club is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and program participants.

Role Details: This role is funded for an initial one-year term, with a strong outlook for renewal as our program continues to expand. We are looking for a candidate who wants to learn and grow with our organization.

Hourly Rate: $20-22/ hr, commensurate with experience.

Paid Leave: Accrued paid Safe and Sick Leave.

Commuter Benefits: Option to enroll in a pre-tax TransitCheck program.

Supplemental Insurance: Access to voluntary Aflac supplemental health insurance plans.

English. Spanish is a bonus