Behavior and Enrichment Specialist

Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Behavior and Enrichment Specialist role involves conducting behavior evaluations for dogs and cats in shelter care, including identifying challenges, recommending individualized care plans, and facilitating alternative placements if necessary. Continuous monitoring of animal behavior, implementing enrichment activities, and facilitating playgroups are key responsibilities. The position requires staying updated on animal behavior research and collaborating with volunteers for proper animal handling and training. Additionally, maintaining accurate behavior records, providing training to staff, ensuring animal welfare, and delivering excellent customer service are essential aspects of the role. Assistance in monitoring animal health and supporting other shelter areas as needed is also expected.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities listed are not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties that are required of the position. Responsibilities, tasks, duties, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Complete behavior evaluations for both dogs and cats in shelter care, including identifying challenge behaviors, enrichment or stress reduction needs, housing evaluations, and/or humane euthanasia, if necessary
• Based on evaluation, make recommendations for care including individual modification plans, training for staff and volunteers in handling, foster care or rescue placement, adoption matchmaking, or possible humane euthanasia, if necessary
• Monitor animal behavior throughout shelter stay, using observations to contribute to discussions about an animal’s health, adjusting strategies, performing follow-up assessments, and implementing updated behavior plans that keep animals moving toward a positive outcome
• Engage in ongoing professional development by staying current with advancements in animal behavior modification techniques and research, actively seeking out and evaluating new methodologies to enhance our practices
• Work to obtain alternative animal placement by communicating behavior challenges/needs to current and potential transfer partners
• Provide daily enrichment activities for animals establishing standard operating procedures and updating, as needed, to reach program goals
• Facilitate play groups based on dog behavior and training, including play, skills development, enrichment activities, etc
• Document and maintain timely and accurate behavior records, entering initial evaluation, progress notes based on training sessions, changes in behavior based on follow-up evaluations, incident reports, and adoption recommendations
• Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator on training for Volunteers in proper handling, training, and enrichment activities for animals, based on an animal’s specific needs
• Observe both animal behavior and volunteer interactions for the safety and well-being of the animal and team, giving necessary feedback as required
• Provide training to new and existing staff on topics including but not limited to behavior, training enrichment, and “low stress” animals handling
• Produce the content for standard and individualized waivers that inform and educate adopters on known behaviors, history, and current behavior management/training plans
• Use proper animal restraint techniques for the safety and well-being of the animal and the team
• Deliver excellent customer service with internal and external customers and volunteers through in-person interactions
• Assist in monitoring the health of all animals in shelter care
• Assist in other areas of the shelter, as needed
  
  

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred
• At least 2 years of professional work experience in animal care of related field in a team environment
• Advanced knowledge of animal handling, general pet care principles, and breed identification
• Knowledge of and at least 6 months' experience in animal training and behavior methods including positive reinforcement techniques
• Fear Free Shelter Program certification
• Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET) training and certification or must be able to obtain within 6 months to 1 year
• Animal behavior certification from accredited organization preferred
• Training sessions and seminars may be scheduled during non-working hours where your attendance may be required
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of and ability to perform tasks on a computer using different software programs
• Advanced ability to comfortably work with animals, treating them with respect and care, including animals that are difficult to handle and/or stressed
• Advanced ability to assess animal behaviors and cues
• Strong ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• Demonstrated ability in analyzing emergencies and quickly finding optimal solutions
• Knowledge of the four C’s of successful canine behavior training
• Knowledge of basic animal shelter processes and terminology
• Basic knowledge and understanding of prevalent illnesses and diseases, ensuring familiarity with their symptoms, treatments, and preventative measures
• Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to quickly adapt to customer, animal, and business needs
• Ability to collaborate with others and work effectively in a team environment
• Strong attention to detail and ability to focus with distractions
• Excellent ability to use good judgement in problem solving and decision making
• Ability to take initiative and to work with minimal supervision and direction
• Effective multitasking abilities, efficiently managing and prioritizing multiple tasks with attention to detail and effectiveness
• Ability to foster strong relationships and providing constructive feedback when needed
• Ability to guide and motivate others towards shared goals
• Strong training skills with the ability to adapt training techniques for individual needs
• Strong time management skills, efficiently prioritizing tasks and responsibilities to meet deadlines and achieve objectives in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to recognize and communicate medical and behavioral concerns to team and leadership
• Ability to develop, strategize, and communicate comprehensive behavior modification plans tailored to individual needs for team and leadership
  
  

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

• Physical demands include extended periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, handling, grasping, and coordination with constant lifting and carrying requirements of up to 50 lbs.
• Physical demands also include frequent pulling, balancing, and coordination while handling animals of up to 100 lbs.
• Visual acuity and depth perception is required for safe handling of animals
• Work constantly engages in direct, hands-on interaction with animals in the shelter, requiring compassionate care, training techniques, and behavioral interventions as necessary to support their well-being and progress
• Work is frequently performed in the small, enclosed spaces such as animal cages
• Work includes providing compassionate and dedicated care to others
• Work requires the ability to maintain focus and composure while working under pressure, manage stress during difficult situations, and adapt quickly to resolve issues or conflicts
• Work requires the ability to maintain composure, empathy, and patience in challenging or emotionally charged situations, while demonstrating strong communication skills to foster compassion, understanding and resolution
• Work requires the ability to be pragmatic and use logical reasoning to assess animals’ behavior and adoptability
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Most of the work is performed outdoors in play areas or on Pet Alliance grounds, which are subject to extremes in temperature, humidity, and atmospheric conditions.
• Considerable work is performed in the kennel areas of Pet Alliance which are open and well lit, adequately ventilated, noisy and distracting environment. In addition, the kennels are subject to extremely warm temperatures during the summer months.
• Work environment involves exposure to potential hazards such as chemicals and sharps.
• The job requires frequent and routinely intense public contact as well as the ability to multi-task under conditions that can be described as extremely fast-paced/high volume and are potentially stressful on a routine basis.