Front Desk Assistant

Leader Dogs for the Blind, an international organization based in Rochester Hills, Michigan, has been empowering individuals who are blind or low vision for over 85 years. We provide comprehensive guide dog services and orientation and mobility training, equipping individuals with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. Our life\-changing work is provided free of charge, and we are 100% philanthropically funded. Our mission is driven by 191 dedicated team members and more than 1,000 volunteers who advocate alongside our clients to create a more equitable world.

Why work at Leader Dogs for the Blind?

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance after 30 days of employment
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid disability insurance
• 401k with employer match
• Flexible spending account
• Paid time off front loaded on first day of employment
• Annual merit\-based pay increases
• Dog friendly office

SUMMARY

The Front Desk Assistant serves as a key point of connection and one of the first impressions of Leader Dogs for the Blind, providing a professional, welcoming, and accessible experience for all who engage with the organization. This role manages front\-line communications—including phone, email, and in\-person inquiries—while ensuring clients, visitors, and volunteers are greeted and supported in a courteous and efficient manner. In addition to its highly visible, front\-facing responsibilities, the position provides essential administrative support, including scheduling, communications, recordkeeping, and departmental coordination, with a strong emphasis on accuracy and attention to detail. The ideal candidate demonstrates professionalism, adaptability, and a commitment to accessibility within a mission\-driven environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Professionally answers all incoming calls, email and voicemail; directs to appropriate team member or department.
• Greets and directs clients, visitors, and volunteers in a courteous and professional manner.
• Performs a variety of administrative and clerical duties that involve scheduling meetings, processing paperwork, updating records, data entry, requests for general information, preparing packets of material, mailings (both material and electronic), photocopying, and faxing.
• Monitors general organizational email accounts.
• Manages supply orders and P\-card receipts for the marketing department and gift shop.
• Creates large print and accessible documents.
• Provides occasional coverage for the Leader Dogs for the Blind gift shop.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A minimum of one to three years of experience in an administrative, receptionist or operations support role.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Possess exceptional interpersonal and verbal communication skills, as well as excellent phone etiquette.
• Customer service driven; must have strong organization and time management skills, acuity to detail, and the ability to multi\-task.
• Ability to effectively navigate project management software.
• Proficient in latest version of Microsoft Office products.
• Flexible to periodically work weekends and evenings based on organizational activities.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and accept direction on given assignments.
• Ability to interact in a positive manner, schedule and manage volunteers.
• Ability to work well under pressure, handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Possess sound business judgment, exercise professional conduct, understand and follow business ethics and standards, and maintain a high level of confidentiality in all duties.
• Comfortable with and willing to work around large dogs.
• Willing to perform general public relations duties on behalf of Leader Dog (perform tours, answer general questions, be a professional and courteous representative of Leader Dog, etc.).
• Establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions with employees that promote positive teamwork, as well as with volunteers, donors, clients and all constituents of Leader Dog. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodations may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use the phone, talk, hear, walk, bend, crouch, kneel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

Leader Dogs for the Blind reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities and position title as it deems necessary to meet the needs of its business.

Leader Dogs for the Blind is an at\-will employer. This means that the employment relationship may be ended at any time without notice by the employer or employee for any reason. Neither this document, nor any manual issued by Leader Dogs for the Blind, is a contract of employment.