Centre Trainer (Responsible for Behaviour & Training)

Hours - 37.5 hours average per week on a 6-week rolling rota, working 8 am - 5 pm including weekends and bank holidays.

Role Purpose: 

• To support the Centre Manager to promote the mission, vision and values of the organisation, working with the organisations Core Principles. Ensuring quality standards, so that all dogs are cared for as outlined in our Dog Welfare policies. In addition, support the Centre staff and volunteers to maximise their skills for the benefit of the dogs in our care.
• To identify problem behaviours, whilst also assessing risk and welfare in relation to dogs and lead the work with these dogs to change their behaviour, with an aim to secure them the best chance of a successful transition to a home.
• Taking the lead in setting training and behaviour plans, working with the management team to ensure they are delivered.
• To support dogs, where it is necessary to receive veterinary support when related to behaviour.
• To take responsibility for those dogs in Special Measures or referral who require significant support and behaviour modification and in addition, when necessary and appropriate, make welfare and risk led recommendations.
• To support dogs in our communities, to strive to reduce relinquishment.
• To support all staff and volunteers to further develop skills in dog behaviour and training. Sharing knowledge and supporting prospective adopters or members of the public.
• Work as part of the Centre Trainer peer group, supporting all Jerry Green Centres, to share best practice and knowledge and where required attend other centres to support peers. In addition, support project work where required.

Key Relationships:

Internal Contacts - Centre Manager; Deputy/Assistant Managers; Dog Welfare Assistants; Volunteers; Centre Trainers; Fundraising & Comms; Central Office; Vets

External contacts - Adopters; fosterers; public; vets; behaviourists; trainers; local authorities; other rescues

Key Outputs & Tasks:

· Work with the Management Team to support and advise on the suitability of dogs for behaviour modification, develop and deliver Jerry Green Dog Rescue behaviour plans.

· If required, care for all dogs at the centre in an appropriate and welfare friendly manner, to include preparation of kennels, grooming, feeding, exercise and administration of medication as required.

· Ensure the highest standards of customer care are delivered to all centre visitors and contacts by presenting a professional and friendly approach.

· Provide centre staff and volunteers with on-going training in areas such as dog behaviour, training and welfare.

· Help develop Dog Welfare Assistant knowledge to promote dogs through Meet&Match®.

· Support fosterers and adopters before and after adoption.

· Facilitate good teamwork, contribute to training programmes and connect with other organisations.

· Engage in talks, website and newsletter articles; promote work on social media.

· Maintain accurate and up-to-date dog management database records.

· Support fundraising, publicity and education events.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Degree qualified or extensive experience in rescue with significant, relevant CPD.
• Qualified to National Diploma, NVQ2 or equivalent in animal care/welfare.
• Experience working with dogs to modify or change behaviour.
• Ability to actively contribute to welfare policy, standards and procedures.
• Strong administrative skills and accurate record keeping.
• Customer care experience including Meet & Match®.
• Excellent communication skills and IT competency.

How you’ll work in line with our Values:

Jerry Green Dog Rescue upholds the organisational Values of Kindness, Compassion, Honesty & Purposefulness in all our work.

You understand what our adopters, fosterers, supporters and wider community need from us. You are a great communicator – warm, honest, clear and supportive – and you leave people feeling reassured, informed and valued. You help create an environment where staff, volunteers and members of the public feel confident, welcome and able to ask for guidance. Through your professional behaviour and communication, you help make each centre a hub of kindness, welfare expertise and positive outcomes for dog.

Kindness – Create a welcoming, supportive and respectful environment for dogs, colleagues, volunteers, adopters and visitors.
Demonstrate kindness through patient, welfare‑led training approaches and empathetic support for those seeking advice about dog behaviour or adoption.

Purposeful – Work with clear intent and efficiency, ensuring behaviour assessments, training plans and welfare actions are delivered to a high standard and in line with organisational policies and priorities.
Use your behavioural expertise purposefully to support successful rehoming, reduce relinquishment, and improve the welfare and outcomes for dogs across the organisation.

Compassion – Act as a compassionate ambassador for Jerry Green Dog Rescue, promoting our mission to support dogs through rescuing, rehabilitation and rehoming.
Encourage a compassionate culture within the centre—supporting colleagues and volunteers, recognising emotional challenges within the role, and helping adopters and the public with empathy and understanding.

Honesty – Operate with transparency, integrity and professionalism, ensuring behaviour recommendations, welfare decisions and adopter guidance are ethical, accurate and evidence‑based.
Promote a psychologically safe working environment where colleagues and volunteers feel able to share concerns, ask questions and learn openly

Key Performance Indicators:

To be developed in line with Centre and organisational objectives.

Date Job Description Prepared:

March 2026

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the requirements of the role. It is not a contractual document and does not form part of any contract of employment. The duties and responsibilities outlined may be subject to change at any time to meet the needs of the organisation.