Canine Training and Management - Visiting Instructor

About SUNY Cobleskill:

As New York's leading public college for agriculture and technology, SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech develops students who wish to positively impact the future well-being of human society and sustainable practices. Our immersive approach to learning combines academic rigor with hands-on application, producing graduates who enter their careers with proven real-world capabilities.

Students thrive on our 900-acre campus, providing a dynamic rural setting with a working farm, modern laboratories, and natural ecosystems serving as our classrooms. As members of this close-knit community, students gain a sense of belonging and support for lifelong learning and professional growth through direct interaction with expert faculty and industry leaders.

An anchor institution in the Mohawk Valley region, the College promotes economic growth through its Institute for Rural Vitality and an extensive network of community, statewide, and national partners. We actively strengthen the industries that align with our academic programs and mission by providing modern business resources, training, and technical assistance while offering shared-use facilities that support regional entrepreneurs, creating new connections for sustainable development.

Drawing on a rich academic tradition that spans more than 100 years, our purpose remains constant: to educate and support undergraduate learners and researchers to be workforce-ready and affect the two most significant forces in today's world - agriculture and technology.

Job Description:

The Canine Training and Management Department at SUNY Cobleskill seeks a talented and innovative person to join the instructional team. The Canine Program enrolls over 200 students and offers hands-on coursework with dogs, offering a Bachelors of Technology in Canine Training and Management. Due to the continued growth of the program, SUNY Cobleskill is seeking to fill a full-time, visiting instructor faculty position.

Faculty, staff, and students in the Canine Program must adhere to, demonstrate, and encourage philosophies and training methods consistent with LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) principles. Additionally, the program works with locally-sourced dogs to deliver hands-on, experiential learning to students. These dogs are dropped off and picked up daily at our on-campus kennel, which is run by kennel managers and students throughout the day.

The successful candidate may be required to teach the following courses that include but are not limited to: Canine Training, Canine Detection, Canine Conservation Detection, Canine Area Search, Canine Tracking & Trailing, Canine Aggression/Decoying, Canine Training Technologies, as well as upper-level courses within Canine Aggression and Behavior Modification fields. The successful candidate will be strongly encouraged to create and teach courses related to their expertise and the growing needs of the students in the program. There is a minimum expectation to teach 24 contact hours per academic year.

Other responsibilities include academic advisement, internship orientation, and serving as liaison with Communications and Admissions. The successful candidate will work alongside the Cahir to work on expansion and assessment of the program generally. Faculty at SUNY Cobleskill are also encouraged to participate in scholarly activities which may include research, grantsmanship, and professional development that encourages excellence in teaching.

Requirements:

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that SUNY Cobleskill is not an E-Verify employer.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, or related field
• Five or more years of experience in canine training in any relevant capacity
• Three or more years of experience as a detection dog handler
• Three or more years of experience as an apprehension dog handler
• Experience teaching upper-level undergraduate courses in both lecture and hands-on settings
• Experience in behavior modification with dogs in private-training settings

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the aforementioned minimum qualifications, it is preferred the candidate also have:

• Experience in mentoring undergraduate students
• Five or more experience as a detection dog handler
• Five or more experience as an apprehension dog handler
• Experience working with police and/or military working dogs and handlers

Additional Information:

• The salary range for this position is $47,000 - $52,000.
• This is a temporary appointment.
• This position offers full New York State benefits which are some of the most comprehensive in the country.
• SUNY Cobleskill is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community for our students and employees. To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment. Any offer of employment is contingent on the successful completion of the background check.
• This position may be designated 55 b/c and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility.
• All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply, if your skillset meets the minimum requirements as set forth.

SUNY Cobleskill is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, and ensuring equal educational and employment opportunity and access to services, programs and activities without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction, or any other legally protected status. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Human Resources Office at (518) 255-5514.

SUNY Cobleskill's Interim Title IX Coordinator is Nicole Field, who can be contacted via phone at 518-255-5514, email at fieldnm@cobleskill.edu, or mailing address of SUNY Cobleskill, Knapp Hall Room 123, Cobleskill, NY 12043.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact humanresources@cobleskill.edu or 518-255-5423.

Application Instructions:

The application review process will begin immediately and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Priority is given to applications submitted by November 19, 2026.

A complete application consists of the following:

1. Letter of application, addressing qualifications, position responsibilities, and college values

2. Current CV or Resume

3. Names, emails and phone numbers of at least three professional references, preferably former supervisors

• To apply you must create an account and apply through this posting.