Donation Dog Program Maintenance - Broken Hill

Purpose of the Role: The Donation Dog Maintenance Volunteer plays a vital role in supporting Guide Dogs by ensuring the upkeep and effectiveness of Donation Dog collection tins placed at Host Site locations throughout NSW and ACT. This role helps maintain a positive public image of Guide Dogs and ensures donations are collected securely and efficiently to support essential services for people with low vision or blindness.

Time Commitment:
One day per quarter or a couple of days per 6 months to a year (to be discussed and agreed).

Duties and Responsibilities: Placement and Replacement

• Place new Donation Dogs at approved Host Site locations within your local area.
• Assist in acquiring and installing Donation Dogs at suitable Host Site locations within your local area.
• Replace Donation Dogs as needed due to wear, damage, or relocation of Host Sites.

Servicing and Maintenance

• Clean Donation Dogs regularly to maintain a presentable appearance.
• Touch up paint as required to ensure the Donation Dog remains visually appealing.
• Check that each Donation Dog is securely tethered to a fixed surface using the provided chain.
• Ensure each Donation Dog has a visible and intact ID sticker for identification and tracking.

Donation Collection and Reporting

• Visit all Host Site locations in your local area at least once every 12 months.
• Retrieve donations from each Donation Dog, count and record the amount collected.
• Complete a brief report for each collection, noting any issues or maintenance needs.
• Deposit collected donations at a designated bank or Guide Dogs office as instructed.

Additional Accountabilities: Workplace Health & Safety (WHS)

Follow Guide Dogs NSW/ACT WH&S policy, procedures and rules, and follow safe work practices.

Values: Demonstrate and promote Guide Dogs NSW/ACT values

• Lead with Head and Heart
• Never stop exploring
• Walk the talk
• Lift each other

Required Experience & Qualifications:

Community Engagement Experience

• Previous volunteer or customer service experience is helpful, especially in roles involving interaction with local businesses or community groups. **Basic Maintenance Skills: **
• Ability to perform light cleaning and minor touch-ups (e.g., painting) on Donation Dogs. **Organisational Skills: ** Capable of managing a flexible schedule, keeping records of donations, and completing simple reports. **Trustworthiness and Reliability: **
• As this role involves handling donations, volunteers must demonstrate integrity and a commitment to responsible money handling. **Local Knowledge: **
• Familiarity with the local area and comfort navigating to Host Site locations. Physical Capability:
• Ability to lift and transport Donation Dogs. They are typically small and relatively lightweight, but our large dogs can weigh up to 20kg.

Training Provided:

• Mandatory Training e.g. Code of Conduct, Introduction to Low Vision and Blindness.
• Donation Dog handling, maintenance and security checks.
• Donation collection, reporting and banking procedures.
• Host Site engagement, including new site acquisition.

**Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will process a National Police Check during your screening at no cost to you.

Benefits to the Volunteer:

• Supporting the purpose of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT. Break the boundaries that limit people with low vision or blindness.
• To use your skills and experience to help others
• Social and community connection

Benefits to the Organisation: *“At Guide Dogs, we simply couldn’t do any of the important work we do to support people with low vision or blindness without our volunteers, some of whom have been supporting us for decades” *CEO Dale Cleaver

• Expand our reach and deepen our impact

Should you have any questions about the role or the application process, our friendly team is available for a chat, please email **donationdog@guidedogs.com.au **