Dog Walker

Da Vinci Paws has been serving the Northside of Chicago since 2006. We are a team of pet care professionals that has love and empathy for pets with paws, claws, feather, and fins. Da Vinci Paws has an established management team; we are licensed and bonded and are continuing to expand our unique boutique dog walking, dog training, and pet care business.

The position:

• Professional dog walker with the ability to also care for cats
• Most dog-walking services occur from 10am to 3pm Monday – Friday. Most pet-sitting services occur on evenings and weekends. Ideally, a candidate would be available consistently Monday – Friday.
• We service Andersonville, Buena Park, Edgewater, and Uptown communities. We design dog walking routes to keep travel to a minimum.

Compensation:

$9.90 – $12.50 per 25-minute visit

$150 – $250 / week

• 100% of client gratuity
• Three bonuses of $100 each after completing 15, 30, and 50 orientation sessions / independent walks.

The responsibilities:

• Create a safe and positive walking environment for our client’s dogs
• Follow the client-provided care instructions, including training preferences
• Provide detailed and attentive care for our client’s cats
• Give our clients first-class customer service with a personal touch
• Communicate with staff via phone/text and photographs
• Contribute to the team effort by working as a team player
• Practice time management to ensure on-time arrivals for all assigned visits

The ideal candidate:

• An honest, patient, and enthusiastic candidate, who can provide our client’s dogs and cats with the highest quality visits possible.
• The candidate should have a strong understanding of safety and time management.
• Previous professional or volunteer experience with animals is preferred, but a positive attitude with a desire to learn is just as important.
• The candidate should enjoy an active work environment, walking independently and working outdoors regardless of weather conditions.
• Consideration for candidates with evening, weekend, and holiday availability.
• This is an excellent opportunity for people looking to start a career or grow their current professional experience with dogs. Many members of our staff were previously dog walkers with on-demand services, doggy daycare staff, dog groomers, or volunteers at a local shelter.
• The candidate should have an innate desire to care for animals while ensuring their safety.

Job Requirements:

• You are consistently available to work Monday through Friday during the business day. Most of our clients will request services between 10 am and 4 pm, with peak service hours from 11 am to 3 pm. This general availability must remain constant for at least 12 months.

• This position would be offered as an independent contracting position. If you have any questions about this arrangement, you can email: [email protected]

• The majority of tasks assigned will require you to walk or stand on your feet for several hours per day; bend, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, walk up and down stairs; handle extra small and/or large dogs; and be able to lift up to 50lbs.

• Comfortable walking up to three dogs at the same time

• Clients often request feedings, removing and returning their dogs from a crate, puppy pad replacements, and litter box cleanings

• Capable of working in an environment with traffic, the public, and barking

• You may be exposed to solvents, disinfectants, sanitation chemicals, animal dander, saliva, urine, feces, animal teeth, and claws that may come into contact with hands, skin, and clothing

• You have previous customer service experience and are capable of communicating with clients, staff, and vendors in both written and spoken English

• You are capable of working with little supervision

• You have the patience and empathy to work with puppies and other animals with special needs and requirements (medical and behavioral concerns)

• You must be 21 years or older and legally allowed to work in the US

• You must own a smartphone (iOS or Android) with the ability to run our scheduling software (using data and GPS as needed)