Dog Training Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

Dog Training Coordinator

Join the Team at Cincinnati Animal CARE

At Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC), we do work that matters.

Every day, our team protects animals, supports our community, and helps save thousands of lives each year through compassionate care, advocacy, and education.

This work is meaningful, fast-paced, and can be challenging, but for the right person, it’s incredibly rewarding.

We are a team built for impact, made up of people who care deeply, work hard, support one another, and show up every day committed to making a difference.

If you are passionate about animals, thrive in a mission-driven environment, and want your work to have purpose, we’d love to have you join us.

About the Role

We are looking for a Dog Training Coordinator  to join our team and play an important role in supporting CAC’s mission.

In this position, you will:

• Provide individualized training, general and individualized enrichment, and behavioral monitoring and development to our dogs, as well as intake and ongoing assessments and staff and volunteer training.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys meaningful work, takes pride in helping others, and wants to contribute to a growing organization making a real impact in the community.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Your day-to-day may include:

Program Development:

• Maintain detailed records of animal behavior, enrichment activities, and progress in shelter software systems, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers to ensure continuity of training programs and instruct handling sessions on weekends and holidays.
• Instruct handling classes for volunteers and fosters to include but not limited to loose leash walking, on-leash reactivity, defensive reactivity, any general training gear and equipment.
• Maintain Cincinnati Animal CARE’s Reactive, Anxious, and Drivey (RAD) Dog Training Program to ensure dogs receive daily training in this program and assess any dogs as they graduate each level. 
• Recruit, train, and maintain volunteers and staff on the principles of the RAD Dog Training Program to create successful and consistent handlers. 
• Develop “in-home training plans” for any RAD dogs or dogs who receive specialized training to ensure a smooth transition from shelter to home. 
• Develop and implement programs as needed to best meet the needs of the shelter dog population. 

Behavior Assessment, Support, and Intervention:

• Perform behavior evaluations of shelter dogs and identify dogs with behavioral complexities that could impact their placement or adoption prospects. 
• Create and implement individualized training, behavior modification and plans for dogs on-site and making adjustments as necessary.
• Work closely with the Behavior and Training Team to transfer training and behavior plans from shelter to foster or adoptive homes. 
• Provide virtual (phone and email) and in-person training sessions to fosters or adopters after a RAD dog or equally behaviorally challenged dog is placed. 
• Participate in weekly Intervention Meetings to identify at-risk dogs, put them on training plans, review plans, and make outcome recommendations. 
• Collaborate with the B&T Manager to address serious behavioral concerns in a timely manner.

Dog Training Support and Coordination:

• Train staff and volunteers on the principles of safe dog playgroup management and effective dog-to-dog introductions.
• Recruit, train, coordinate and supervise volunteers for dog training and enrichment activities.
• Coordinate with dog walk volunteers to make sure dogs they don’t walk receive out-of-kennel time. 

Customer Service and Collaboration:

• Work effectively with staff, volunteers, and clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Provide excellent customer service, promoting the organization positively in all interactions.
• Communicate effectively to promote collaboration among staff and volunteers, creating a unified approach to dog care and behavior departments.
• Assist with the training of staff and volunteers. 

Leadership: 

• Lead others by example and as a Coordinator, be prepared to coach B&T, dog care staff, and volunteers in real time.
• Lead dog care staff and volunteers as needed or in the absence of dog care or volunteer leadership. Identify priorities and provide directives. 
• Establish and lead a group of trained volunteers to assist with playgroups, enrichment, and individual training plans. 

Safety and Animal Welfare:

• Ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, and animals by adhering to established protocols and addressing safety concerns immediately, and modeling safe practices.
• Work closely with the B&T Manager and Shelter Manager to uphold the highest standards of care and address any concerns proactively.

Behavior and Training Team:

• Provide direct animal care when needed, including during emergencies, ensuring a clean, sanitary, and healthy environment for all animals.
• Assist with general B&T department tasks as assigned such as, but not limited to, behavior assessments, playgroups, and individual training.  
• Assist with the training of new staff and volunteers. 
• Lead Special Adoption-Behavior meet and greets, as needed. 
• Assist in onboarding and training new staff/volunteers, allowing them to shadow sessions and mentoring them before/during the session and for post-session duties (notes, follow up emails, future scheduling)
• Monitor emails and respond in a timely manner
• Act as an advocate for behaviorally challenged dogs who need that structured plan and care to transition into a home and take lead on all post-placement support (send home resources, 48 phone check in, 7-14 day in person session at shelter, home, or public)

Customer Service and Collaboration:

• Work collaboratively with the foster and community support teams to provide timely, coordinated communication and support to foster families and pet owners. 
• Work effectively with staff, volunteers, and clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Provide excellent customer service, promoting the organization positively in all interactions.
• Communicate effectively to promote collaboration among staff and volunteers, creating a unified approach to dog care and behavior departments.
• Supporting additional organizational needs as they arise 

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about CAC’s mission and animal welfare 
• Brings a positive, team-first attitude 
• Communicates openly and professionally 
• Takes ownership and solves problems proactively 
• Thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment 
• Can balance compassion with accountability 
• Is dependable, adaptable, and eager to learn 

Qualifications

Preferred/Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Behavior, Animal Science, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with canine behavior and training, preferably in a shelter setting.
• Animal training certification (CPDT-KA, ABC-DT preferred), or in progress. 
• Strong understanding on Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) based training methods and experience using clicker training, positive reinforcement, head halters, Starmark Pro Training Collars (also called Good Dog Collars), and prong collars (only used in an case-by-case basis)
• Experience teaching and using positive reinforcement training techniques, animal behavior, and body language observations and evaluation  
• Demonstrated experience in client management and leading training classes with dogs and their guardians. 
• Proficiency with shelter management software and ability to maintain detailed, accurate records.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, and emergencies.
• Comfort with public speaking and experience teaching adults in seminar-type and training class-type settings. 
• Deep understanding of canine behavior, body language, and training strategies, particularly in a shelter environment.
• Expertise in dog social behaviors and ability to safely monitor and intervene as needed.
• Proficient in safe, humane handling techniques for dogs with various behavioral challenges, including high arousal and defensive tendencies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to train and engage staff and volunteers effectively.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.
• Proficiency in verbal and written communication, with experience in training and mentoring staff and volunteers.
• Comfort working collaboratively within a team and independently, providing constructive feedback and accepting input in real time.
• Desire to participate in regular professional development through Maddie’s Fund, American Pets Alive!, Dogs Playing for Life, and Best Friends Animal Society opportunities  
• Proficiency in Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, and Gmail  
• Knowledge of animal disease symptoms  
• Successful completion of Fear-Free Sheltering
• Consistency in adherence to the CAC Employee Handbook, Attendance Policy, safety protocols and daily tasks
• Ability to maintain a strong independent work ethic and time management skills when switching between session-work and email-work.
• Consistency in recording timely, objective and accurate notes into the Animals First and all accompanying spreadsheets. This includes updating or adding attributes and priority levels appropriately, with detailed disclaimer memos.
• Recognition that volunteers are essential to the organization, and show willingness and ability to work with them as integrated pieces of the team
• Demonstrate commitment to being flexible and adaptable in responding to the evolving needs of the program; reacting to change productively, and maintaining a positive and solution-focused approach.

Why Join CAC?

At CAC, you’ll be part of more than just a workplace. You’ll join a team of people doing meaningful work together.

We offer:

• The opportunity to make a real difference every day 
• A mission-driven, supportive team culture 
• Growth and development opportunities 
• Competitive benefits package 
• A workplace where your work directly impacts animals and the community 

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay: Minimum pay of $20.19 after successful 90 day training period. $18.90 during training period. 
• Retirement plan with employer match 
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 
• Paid Time Off 
• Professional Development Assistance 
• Life Insurance 

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• Exposure and handling unvetted animals and their waste is frequent.