Hearts of Gold Program Manager - Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

West Virginia University's Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design (WVU DCANRD) is seeking applications for a Hearts of Gold Program Manager.

About the Opportunity

This position is responsible for the management of the Hearts of Gold Service Dog program at West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design (WVU DCANRD). This position serves as the primary representative of the program and provides direct supervision to the Behavior Analyst, two Trainers.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits (this position is a benefits-eligible non-classified staff position)
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What you'll do:

• Provide oversight of the FCI Morgantown Veterans-to-Veterans Service Dog Training program and the Service Dog Training lab located within the Davis College Hearts of Gold training facility.
• Represent the program and serve as point of contact for Human Animal bond, all University departments and community members, addressing and helping resolve questions, issues, concerns, and projects as they pertain to the Service Dog program.
• Participate in community outreach and educational activities for the program. Promote proper dog etiquette and differences between different types of assistance dogs.
• Coordinate daily care and veterinary care of the service dogs in the program and maintain accurate records of vaccinations and other veterinary issues.
• Train new staff members and ensure all existing members of the organization are up to date on all necessary training.
• Find and qualify applicants for service dogs through collaboration with Veteran's centers, rehabilitation centers, and the Veterans Administration.
• Collect applications and convene the Screening Committee to evaluate applications.
• Collect information about individuals or clients, using interviews, case histories, observational techniques, and other assessment methods.
• Consult with veterans about tasks that are most limiting to their successful reintegration into employment and society.
• Assist clients in enrolling for service dog training courses required by Hearts of Gold.
• Organize travel and accommodations for veterans coming to WVU for training.
• In collaboration with the Behavior Analyst, work with individuals, groups, and/or families to help them understand problems, deal with crisis situations, define goals, and develop realistic action plans.
• Ensure maintenance of accurate client information including session notes, progress notes, recommendations, and treatment plans.
• Ensure proper documentation and filing for all paperwork and materials related to the program and laboratory sessions.
• Refer clients to specialists or to other institutions for non-counseling treatment of problems.
• Assure clients are meeting expectations for progression and annual recertification.
• Assist with dog transport when needed.
• Provide direct supervision to 2 trainers, 1 Behavioral Analyst and student workers.
• Review applications, conduct interviews and make hiring decisions, approve leave, assign and review employee's work performance, and in consultation with the HR Partner, address performance management and disciplinary issues.
• Submitting veteran travel reimbursement, paying invoices and ordering supplies.
• Develop plans to ensure that resources are managed strategically, including an approach to recruitment of key personnel.
• Review vacant positions to determine a course of action for recruiting that aligns with the strategic goals and initiatives of Davis College and WVU.
• Manage hiring decisions, performance appraisals, scheduling, training, employee development, and disciplinary action.
• Audit accounts for compliance and meet with supervisor to resolve issues and concerns. Has budgetary authority to change, modify and transfer funds. Monitor revenues and expenses.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Davis College Hearts of Gold Service Dog Program.
• Coordinate reporting on grant funds.
• Assist with facility maintenance (alerting REOC staff of issues).
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in the following:
  
  
  
  
  • Working with veterans.
  • Supervising employees.
  • Working with service dogs, preferred
  • Leadership, project management and facilitating events.
  • Using word processing, spreadsheets and database programs.
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills. This position is typically the primary conduit for communication between all parties. Must possess the ability to lead meetings and give both formal and informal presentations of information that may be highly technical in nature.
• Strong organizational skills to plan and organize tasks and set priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituents.
• Ability to interact professionally and courteously with all organizational levels.
• Ability to solve problems in an effective, tactful, and timely manner.
• Excellent customer services skills.
• Ability to work with dogs - training background preferred.
• Knowledge of veteran services strongly desired.
• Excellent analytical and reasoning skills.
• Ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks
• Knowledge or willingness to learn requirements of ADA.
• Ability to understand, manage, and communicate project budgets. Mathematical skills are required to be able to calculate and understand various aspects of the project budget, project funding, and project accounting.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, as required.

• Valid driver's license

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and received an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. We value diversity among our faculty, staff and students and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.