Year Round - Dog Hiking Specialist

Shoreline Happy Paws is hiring a Dog Hiking Specialist to lead small-group hikes through Connecticut's most beautiful woods, beaches, and trails. This is a year round position.

You'll Love This Job If You

• Would rather be in the woods than anywhere else
• Light up at the challenge of teaching a group of dogs to walk nicely on leash together
• Want a workday that ends muddy, tired, and happy

If that sounds like you, this one might be yours.

What You'll Do

This is primarily a hiking role. You'll also be performing dog walks, yard let-outs and potty breaks, and visiting clients' homes for dog walking or pet sitting appointments. This can include cats.

• Lead structured small-group hikes on local trails, beaches, and woods
• Coach dogs into great leash manners, solo and as a pack
• Walk dogs in neighborhoods when hikes aren't on the schedule
• Handle yard let-outs and potty breaks
• Visit clients' homes for dog walking or pet sitting (cats included)
• Provide vacation drop-in care
• Send photo updates and visit reports that make clients smile
• Drive between visits across our service area
• Expand your knowledge with contuing education about dog behavior

Schedule

• Part-time, your choice: anywhere from 10 to 25 hrs/week
• We just ask for consistency in your weekly schedule
• Year-round role (no summer-only hires)
• Primary need: Tues/Wed/Thurs, 9 AM to 1 PM or 10 AM to 2 PM
• Mon to Fri also considered
• Optional evenings, weekends, and overnights if you want them

Pay & Benefits

• $16.94/hour during paid training
• $17 to $25/hour dog hiking pay
• New hires start at the low end of the range. You will not start at the mid or top. Raises come with tenure and performance.
• Flexible schedule
• Higher pay through advancement into leadership roles and tenure
• Tips, mileage reimbursement, PTO, holiday pay, end-of-year bonuses
• Paid Pet CPR certification and education stipend (dog training, Pet CPR Instructor)
• Costco membership, employee discounts, referral program
• W-2 employment with workers' comp and liability insurance

Service Area (must live in or very near - no exceptions)

Essex, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Deep River, Chester, Haddam, Higganum, East Lyme, Niantic, Waterford, Groton, New London

What We're Looking For

• Dog Lovers who are 18+ years old
• Genuine love for animals; patient and respectful
• Reliable, communicative, detail-oriented
• Calm and confident around fearful, reactive, or excitable dogs
• Comfortable, even happy, outdoors in all weather
• Able to handle large or strong dogs (90+ lbs)
• Physically active. Cam hike several miles a day over uneven terrain
• Reliable vehicle, valid license, clean driving record, current auto insurance
• Smartphone with data and ability to pass a background check

After applying, please check your texts and email so we don't miss you!

Instagram: instagram.com/cthappypaws

Come walk with us. Grow with us.