Midday Dog Walker Team Leader

Are you an experienced dog professional ready to step into a leadership role? Pets Are Family Pet Sitting Services is seeking a Dog Walker Team Leader to lead and support a team of 7 dog walkers while maintaining our high standards of care, safety, and client experience. This is a hands-on leadership role combining field work with team oversight. You will walk dogs daily while also ensuring schedules run smoothly, team members meet performance expectations, and clients receive consistent, high-quality service.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily dog walking schedules to ensure full coverage and efficiency
• Train and onboard new dog walkers in safe handling practices and company SOPs
• Monitor team performance, providing real-time coaching and feedback
• Review visit reports to ensure accuracy, completeness, and brand standards
• Step in to cover visits as needed to maintain service reliability
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and proper dog handling at all times
• Communicate professionally with clients and address questions or concerns
• Complete administrative tasks related to scheduling, reporting, and team support

What We're Looking For

• Minimum 1 year of professional dog walking and/or pet care experience
• Prior formal training in dog handling and behavior (Fear Free certification a plus)
• Strong understanding of dog body language and behavior
• Experience training or mentoring others (preferred)
• Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Highly organized with strong time management
• Comfortable handling dogs 50-150 lbs
• Experience with Time To Pet (preferred)
• Reliable vehicle and smartphone

Schedule

• Monday-Friday, approximately 10am-3pm
• Up to 30 hours/week after 60-day training period

Why Join Pets Are Family

• Work in a supportive, team-oriented environment
• Build meaningful relationships with clients and their pets
• Be part of a company that values professionalism, attention to detail, and treating everyone like family

Please note: We will be accepting applications until we find the right staff, so if you are viewing this posting weeks after it's been published, please contact us as we may still need more staff members!

Daytime dog walkers work throughout our service area Monday- Friday in the following areas: Kingstowne, Lorton, Franconia, Rose Hill, Eisenhower corridor, Belle View & Belle Haven, and Old Towne Alexandria

Immediate areas of need: Kingstowne and Old Towne

Requirements for the dog walker team leader position:

- You have been previously trained in safe dog handling practices and have evidence of at least one successful year in a professional pet care setting.

- You are at ease working with dog breeds that weigh between 50-150 lbs. You'll walk smaller dogs too but the majority of our pups are at least 50 lbs.

- You have previous experience using Time to Pet.

- You have strong interpersonal skills and can provide timely feedback to others on the team.

- You have strong time management skills.

- You have strong communication skills (both orally and in writing) and you have the ability to provide exceptional customer service to our dogs' guardians by promptly addressing any questions or concerns.

- You can document daily activities and report any unusual behavior or incidents to both the company and the dogs' guardians.

- You have a reliable car and live in or very close (within 5 miles) to the community where you will work.

- You have a reliable smartphone that can support our company's software and takes clear photos.

- You can commit to working with us at least 6 months. We value building and maintaining relationships with our clients!

- You can pass a criminal /vehicle background check.

- You are at least 18 years of age and a high school graduate.

Hours/Pay: Fully trained and certified Dog Walker Team Leaders are paid hourly between $22-$25 + tips + holiday bonus pay. Employees receive ongoing, paid professional development and training.

If you are interested in interviewing for a position with us, you will be asked to first complete a pre-interview questionnaire.

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Pets Are Family hires employees (W-2), not independent contractors (1099).

Job Type: Part-time

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Mileage reimbursement
• On-the-job training
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program

Experience:

• Large dog handling: 1 year (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Alexandria, VA 22315 (Required)