Junior Canine Attendant

JUNIOR DOG CARE ATTENDANT (PART-TIME - HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WELCOME)

The Homestead Nottawa - Dog Daycare & Boarding Resort

Location: Nottawa, ON (In-person)

Job Type: Part-time

Schedule: Afternoons (3pm-7pm) and Weekends/Holidays

Pay: $16.20/hour (Ontario student minimum wage)

Join Our Team - Perfect First Job for Dog Lovers

We're an all-inclusive facility providing daycare, boarding, and grooming services 365 days a year, with one mission: creating the best experience for our four-legged guests and their families. We're looking for mature, responsible high school students who love dogs, embrace learning, and genuinely enjoy helping wherever they're needed.

If you're someone who approaches every task with a positive attitude and finds satisfaction in doing a job well—whether it's playing with puppies or cleaning kennels—we'd love to meet you.

What Makes Working Here Special

At The Homestead Nottawa, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference in pets' lives every day while gaining valuable work experience. You'll work in an active outdoor environment where no two days are the same, learning from our experienced team and developing skills that will serve you well in any future career.

This isn't just a job—it's a chance to be part of a small, dedicated team where your reliability and positive attitude truly matter.

Why We Love Pet Care (And Why It's Great for Learning)

Pet care is hands-on, active work, and we want you to know exactly what you're signing up for. The right person sees every task—even the unglamorous ones—as an opportunity to contribute and learn.

Active, Hands-On Work That Builds Character

You'll be fully engaged—feeding dogs, cleaning kennels, helping with playtime, and keeping our facility spotless. This means staying on your feet, working outdoors in all weather, and tackling whatever needs to be done without complaining. You'll learn what it means to be part of a team that depends on each other, and you'll develop the kind of work ethic that impresses future employers and builds confidence.

If you're someone who can say "sure, I'll do that" with a smile—whether it's scooping poop or helping with a fun photo shoot—you'll fit right in.

Learn From Experience, Grow With Responsibility

You'll start by learning our routines and safety procedures, but as you prove yourself reliable and capable, you'll take on more responsibility. You might help train a new junior team member, learn about dog behavior, or get involved in special projects. We value people who want to grow and improve, not just collect a paycheck.

Real Impact, Real Experience

You'll see the direct results of your work: happy dogs, grateful clients, and a clean, safe facility. You'll also learn what it means to be truly reliable—showing up on time, doing what you say you'll do, and being someone your teammates can count on. These are the skills that will set you apart in school, future jobs, and life.

Who Thrives Here

We're looking for junior team members who are:

• Eager to learn - Open to feedback, willing to ask questions, excited to develop new skills
• Positive and flexible - Can shift from cleaning to dog play to helping with client pick-ups without complaining
• Genuinely reliable - Shows up on time, ready to work, and doesn't cancel shifts at the last minute
• Mature for their age - Handles responsibility seriously and maintains professionalism even when the work is hard
• Good communicators - Not shy about talking to clients or asking staff for help when needed
• Hard workers - Takes pride in doing any job well, whether "fun" or not
• Team players - Understands that everyone depends on everyone else
• "No task too small" minded - Willing to do whatever needs doing without being asked twice
• Physically active - Comfortable being on your feet, working outdoors, getting dirty
• Available when needed - Including weekends and holidays when most students are off

What You'll Do

Dog Care & Supervision:

• Help supervise dogs during playtime and ensure they're safe and happy
• Feed dogs, provide fresh water, and follow feeding instructions carefully
• Learn to recognize dog behavior and when to ask for help
• Provide comfort and attention to nervous or lonely dogs

Facility Maintenance:

• Clean kennels, play areas, and outdoor spaces thoroughly
• Help with laundry, dishes, and general facility upkeep
• Take out trash and keep all areas organized
• Notice what needs doing and do it without being told

Client Service:

• Greet clients warmly and professionally during pick-ups and drop-offs
• Help with basic check-in and check-out procedures
• Communicate clearly and politely with dog owners
• Capture fun photos of dogs for social media and client updates

Team Support:

• Follow instructions from senior staff members
• Ask questions when you're unsure (that's how you learn)
• Jump in to help teammates when things get busy
• Maintain a positive attitude even when tasks aren't exciting

Schedule Requirements (Important)

• MINIMUM 2 SHIFTS PER WEEK
• 1 weekend shift MANDATORY (Saturday or Sunday, typically 3-4 hours)
• At least 1 weekday afternoon shift (3pm-6pm or 3pm-7pm)
• Must be available for holidays (we operate 365 days/year)
• Shifts typically 3-4 hours

Example schedules:

• Saturday 8am-12pm + Tuesday 3pm-6pm = 7 hours/week
• Sunday 2pm-6pm + Thursday 3pm-7pm = 8 hours/week

Requirements

MUST-HAVES:

✓ HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT or have other educational commitments

✓ VERY RELIABLE - We're a small team and depend on you showing up for your shifts. If you commit to working Saturday, you work Saturday—no last-minute cancellations

✓ OWN TRANSPORTATION REQUIRED - High school bus stops here but we're not on regular transit routes. You need a reliable way to get here

✓ GOOD COMMUNICATOR - Not shy talking to clients or staff members. Can speak clearly and professionally

✓ INDEPENDENT WORKER - Able to complete tasks without constant supervision once trained

✓ HARD WORKER - Not afraid to get dirty, stay active, and do physical work. No complaining about "gross" tasks

✓ COMFORTABLE WORKING OUTDOORS - In all weather (rain, snow, heat, cold)

✓ PHYSICALLY CAPABLE - Can handle dogs, lift 25-30 lbs, bend down repeatedly, stay on your feet for 3-4 hours

✓ MATURE AND RESPONSIBLE - Can be counted on to follow instructions and safety rules

✓ POSITIVE ATTITUDE - Approaches every task willingly, even the unglamorous ones

Bonus Points If You Have:

• Previous experience with dogs (pet sitting, volunteering, own dogs)
• Farm or outdoor work experience
• First aid/CPR certification
• Younger siblings (shows you can handle responsibility and chaos)
• Experience on a sports team or in clubs (shows teamwork and commitment)
• Interest in animal care, veterinary work, or related careers

What We Offer

• Great first job experience in a professional, active environment
• Learn valuable life skills - responsibility, reliability, teamwork, communication
• Work with awesome dogs every day
• Small, supportive team that will train you and help you succeed
• Flexible scheduling around school commitments during the school year
• Potential for increased hours during school breaks and summer
• Strong references for future jobs or college applications (we write great letters for reliable team members)
• Real responsibility - you're not just folding towels, you're an important part of operations
• Casual dress code - jeans and t-shirts are perfect

What Makes You Successful Here

This role is perfect for someone who:

• Genuinely loves dogs and wants to learn about animal care
• Understands that reliability isn't optional—it's everything
• Takes pride in doing even the "boring" or "gross" tasks well
• Wants to prove they're mature and ready for real responsibility
• Can handle constructive feedback without getting defensive
• Shows up ready to work, not just scrolling their phone
• Enjoys being active and doesn't mind getting dirty or sweaty
• Values being part of a team that counts on each other
• Wants work experience that actually teaches them something valuable

Important Things to Know

• Reliability is EVERYTHING - Our dogs and team depend on you. If you commit to a shift, you need to be there. Last-minute cancellations because you "forgot" or "don't feel like it" won't work here.
• This is PHYSICAL, OUTDOOR WORK - You'll be on your feet, outside in all weather, cleaning poop, lifting bags, getting slobbered on, and staying active. If you're looking for an easy job where you can be on your phone, this isn't it.
• WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS ARE REQUIRED - We're open 365 days/year, so you need to be available when most students have time off. Yes, this means some Saturdays when your friends are sleeping in.
• You'll work with ALL SIZES of dogs - From tiny puppies to 100+ pound dogs. Some are energetic, some are nervous, some are stubborn. You need to be comfortable with all of them.
• TRANSPORTATION IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY - We're in a rural area. The high school bus stops here, but there's no other public transit. You need a reliable way to get to and from work.
• This isn't just "playing with puppies" - That's part of it, but there's also cleaning, maintenance, feeding, organizing, and lots of tasks that aren't glamorous. If you can't handle the unglamorous parts with a good attitude, this isn't the job for you.
• You're part of a SMALL TEAM - When you don't show up, someone else has to cover for you. When you do a poor job, someone else has to fix it. Your actions directly affect your coworkers.

Ready to Apply?

If you're a responsible, hard-working student who loves dogs, can commit to a reliable schedule, and approaches every task with a positive attitude, we want to hear from you

TO APPLY:

Send your resume (or a brief summary of any work/volunteer experience, sports teams, clubs, or responsibilities you've had) and tell us:

• Why you want to work with dogs - What draws you to this work?
• Your typical availability - Which afternoons work best? Which weekend day can you commit to?
• What makes you reliable and responsible - Give us specific examples from school, sports, family responsibilities, etc.
• How you'll get to work - Do you have reliable transportation?
• Why you're mature enough for this job - What experiences have taught you responsibility?

Email: [Your email here]

Please include "Junior Attendant Application" in the subject line

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $16.20 per hour (Ontario student minimum wage)

Expected hours: 6-15 per week (more during school breaks)

Location: In person, Nottawa, ON

We're looking for someone special - could that be you?

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $16.60 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 6 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Flexible schedule
• On-site parking
• Store discount

Application question(s):

• Are you located within a 35 minute drive of Collingwood?
• Are you available to work Weekends and some Holidays?

Work Location: In person