Swedish Armed Forces Dog Service Unit Seeks Foster Consultant for Region North

The Swedish Armed Forces Dog Service Unit (FHTE) is part of the Air Combat School (LSS) and is tasked with providing the Armed Forces' continuously serving military units and the Police with service dogs. We are now looking for someone who wants to contribute with their dog knowledge in the role of Foster Consultant part-time, 50%.

About the Unit

At FHTE's Breeding Department, breeding is planned, bitches/puppies are taken care of, foster caregivers are recruited, puppies are placed with foster caregivers, and support is provided to foster caregivers. The Armed Forces' dogs are placed with their foster caregiver when they are 8–10 weeks old and stay there until they are approximately 1–1.5 years old. During this period, the Armed Forces cover the costs of an experienced consultant, food, and veterinary expenses. The breeding operation in Sollefteå has been ongoing since the summer of 2005, and over the years, more than 3,000 puppies have been raised.

Sweden's foster caregiver operations are divided into 6 regions, where the work is led and distributed by a regional Dog Section Chief. To support the foster caregivers, the Armed Forces have several Foster Consultants. The Foster Consultants are responsible for working with the foster caregivers to create conditions for the puppies to develop in the right direction for a future life as service dogs.

About the Position

As a Foster Consultant, you will act as the Armed Forces' representative among our stakeholders and foster caregivers across the country. Our consultants are a vital part of our foster caregiver system and a prerequisite for us to find and maintain our fantastic foster caregivers. In addition, a driver's license and access to a personal vehicle that can transport dogs is a requirement and entails mileage compensation with government vehicle approval in connection with work-related travel.

The work, which can be physically demanding with both practical and administrative tasks, is based from your home but you will be managed from FHTE's Breeding Department in Sollefteå. We are now looking for a 50% position based in or around Skellefteå, Umeå, or Örnsköldsvik.

Main Responsibilities

• Close collaboration with your Dog Section Chief regarding the work and follow-up of the dogs
• Plan and conduct frequent training meetings with foster caregivers regarding obedience/socialization, environmental training, and start scent work, according to guidelines in the consultant manual.
• Conduct puppy and young dog meetings both in groups and individually. These should be able to be conducted both practically and digitally
• Follow up and manage the dogs, as well as support the foster caregivers during the fostering period
• Be problem-solving regarding dogs with strong drives in combination with foster caregivers who do not yet have much dog experience
• Plan and conduct home visits and information meetings throughout the area
• Evaluate and assess interested individuals/families to determine if they are suitable as foster caregivers for an Armed Forces dog
• Practically carry out relocations in the respective region in collaboration with your Dog Section Chief

Qualifications

• Practical experience in dog training
• Experience with resourceful working dogs
• Education in pedagogy/instructor training or equivalent experience that the employer deems comparable
• Class B driver's license

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who is responsible, has good judgment, and the ability to independently plan and structure their work. You are open-minded and unpretentious. You master social interactions, have a strong willingness to collaborate, and easily build trustworthy relationships. You have extensive experience in dog training and a good pedagogical ability, which allows you to convey your knowledge adapted to the level of the foster caregivers. You are a problem solver who can think creatively and outside the box. Great emphasis will be placed on personal suitability.

Meritorious

• Previous work with service dogs
• Good computer skills and knowledge of the Office suite
• Previous work within the Armed Forces or another government agency

Information about the Position:

Dog Section Chief in Region North, Fia Ekbäck, phone 076-127 60 82

For information about the recruitment process, contact: HR Generalist, Olivia Liw, phone 076-641 42 67

Union Representatives

OFR/O Ärna Tim Björklund, phone 070-649 65 59
OFR/S & Defense Union Helena Lemnell phone 070-836 10 28
SEKO Åsa Karlsson can be reached via vx 018-19 60 00
SACO can be reached via vx 018-19 60 00

Other

• Employment type: permanent employment starting with a six-month probationary period for those not already employed by the authority
• Employment rate: 50%
• Work location: Region North, with placement in Skellefteå, Umeå, or Örnsköldsvik
• A large part of the work involves travel as well as evening and weekend work
• Position: civilian
• Start date: as soon as possible, by agreement

Application Deadline:

Welcome with your application by 2025-03-04 at the latest. Your application should include a CV and a cover letter. In the cover letter, we would like you to explain why you are suitable for this position.

Applications for this position will only be accepted via the Swedish Armed Forces website.

Information about the Swedish Armed Forces and the recruiting unit:

The Air Combat School is the Air Force's joint competence center for development and training. The Air Combat School has four Air Force common schools and trains, among other things, future pilots within the Armed Forces. The Air Combat School operates in seven locations spread across the country and has its headquarters in Uppsala.

The Air Combat School constantly strives to develop how we solve assigned tasks and we are always ready to meet new challenges.

In the Armed Forces, there is a strong value base built on openness, results, and responsibility. Professional development and personal health are valued and encouraged. There are good opportunities for internal career mobility, wellness, and a good balance between work and private life.

Employment with us means placement in a security class. Usually, Swedish citizenship is required. A security clearance with a background check will be conducted before employment according to Chapter 3 of the Security Protection Act. Employment entails an obligation to be placed in wartime. The implications of this vary depending on the type of position.

Applications for employment must include a CV and a cover letter. If you proceed in the employment process, certified copies of grades and certificates must always be presented.

Calls from external recruitment companies and sellers are not welcome.