We’re Looking for an Experienced Dog Walker for to Join Our Team
Friday, January 20, 2012
We are looking for one group-hike dog walker to join our team. He or she must have at least two years of professional experience working with dogs, (in a dog kennel, doggy day care, dog walker, animal shelter, or as a dog trainer). We currently have six dog walkers who walk dogs on leash and in the hills in Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley, and Piedmont.
You can find out more information about Doggy Lama Pet Care here: Web site: http://www.doggylamapetcare.com Daily photo updates: http://www.flickr.com/photos/doggylama/ Yelp reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/7oPSx23J1EKQ1pavqcYsWw
About the position
We will train you to walk dogs for us and, if you haven’t already gone to the Dog Walking Academy, we will partially subsidize you to get trained through that program on dog behavior, body language, and pack management, as well as Pet CPR and Pet First Aid. We will continue to support you as you become more confident walking groups of dogs. The eventual goal will be for you to walk up to two groups of dogs per day. The maximum number of dogs in each group is six. You will be an independent contractor (IC), so you will be responsible for your own health insurance, vehicle, dog leashes, etc. One of the strengths of Doggy Lama is that we’re a team. If you need help with your dogs at the last minute because you have car problems or you want to take a vacation, we’re here to help you.
Requirements
You must be available between 9am-4pm Monday through Friday.
You have a reliable SUV, station wagon, or truck with camper shell that can accommodate 6 medium to large dogs.
You have a good driving record and insurance.
You can walk dogs rain or shine. (When it’s raining out, our clients need us more than ever!)
You can pass a criminal/background check.
You have some comfort and familiarity with computers and the Internet (We send regular email updates and use Google Calendar for your schedule.)
You have a cell phone that you can leave on during working hours and you can return calls from the office or other team members on the same day.
You have excellent references.
You have at least two years experience working with dogs—this would ideally be as a professional, but perhaps also as a volunteer.
You must be at least 18 years old.
You must be able to make a minimum commitment of 1 year.
You live in the East Bay.
You are very responsible. Our clients consider their pets to be important family members—this is not a “slacker” job in any way.
Compensation —Group dog walks We pay 60% of the gross of what the clients pay us. For hour-long group walks, the clients pay $25/walk if the dog gets walked Monday through Friday and $27/walk if the dog gets walked fewer than 5x/week. This comes out to be $15-$16.20 per dog for up to six dogs. For a full group of six dogs, it usually takes an hour to pick them up, an hour out on the trails, and an hour to drop them off. We care about the environment and your time and stress level, so we will try to make your driving distance as small as possible. Here’s another way to think about it:
# of dogs in group:/Pay range for group:/Approximate time needed:
3—$45 to 49.50—2.5 hours
4—$60 to $66—2.75 hours
5—$75 to $82.50—3 hours
6—$90 to $97.20—3 hours
If you have the energy, skills, and interest, we can build you up to two groups of dogs per day, but unless you already have experience as a professional dog walker, you should expect to walk only one group per day for at least a couple months.
—Drop-in visits We charge $35/half-hour for a drop-in visit or individual dog walk. You would make 60% of that, or $21. Please do not apply to do drop-in visits only—our primary need right now is for dog walkers and drop-ins are something the walker could do only in addition to dog walking.
How to Apply
Please send your resume, at least 3 references, and a cover letter that tells us about your experience with dogs to doggylamapetcare
We hope to hear from you!
Thanks,
Doggy Lama Pet Care