Specialist, Animal Behavior

Training And Behavior Specialist

Training and behavior specialists are responsible for success towards Best Friends Animal Society's no-kill goal. Specialists work across departmental lines to enhance animal flow through the pet resource center and effectively lower length of stay of program animals, to support fosters and adopters, to support pet retention and reduce shelter intake, and to increase live outcomes at our local municipal shelters. Specialists will work to identify programming, resources and strategies to increase lifesaving.

Culture Statement and Responsibility: We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness and positive influence with each other, our visitors, and volunteers as well as to the animals every day. This includes listening, being present, being supportive of others and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict.
• Build enrichment, training and animal management capabilities of the animal care teams, fosters and volunteers through one-on-one coaching and group class work; assist with specific situations as identified by animal care leadership, with the goal of reducing length of stay and increasing positive outcomes. Empower staff to enhance their ability to provide behavioral support for dogs in our program, both at the pet resource center and in foster care and to enhance their ability to provide post adoption behavioral support. Successfully complete all steps in Dog Behavior and Safety policy to be able to handle dogs of all categories, up to and including red category dogs. Support staff and volunteer evaluations for handling of dog categories up to and including red category dogs.
• Participate in daily population rounds to support the regular review of program animals and overall operational efficiency leading to animal outcomes; take lead in executing tasks identified during rounds by end of workday; work cooperatively with other departments to support execution of tasks in long-stay animal adoption plans.
• Proactively identify animals with greater risk for extended length of stay and/or kennel stress and work collaboratively with staff, volunteers and fosters to identify individual dogs in need of additional enrichment/behavioral support and strategize solutions, then develop training and enrichment plans with a goal of assisting animals to be successfully adopted and retained. Identify additional opportunities to support adoption placement through marketing, outings, foster placement.
• Host "Best Friend for a Day" participants from local shelters, providing behavior and training support for the participant, playgroups if appropriate, in and out of kennel enrichment, and capture objective information and videos and pictures to assist the shelter in expediting adoption of participant. Work with community programs team to support owner retention of animals at risk of relinquishment to a shelter due to behavioral challenges.
• Work with teams to establish volunteer opportunities that augment daily operations and maximize lifesaving capacity and to develop strategies for recruitment and retention of care and enrichment volunteers, ensure opportunities are aligned with organizational goals for constituent journey development and ongoing engagement with Best Friends' mission.
• Support basic care such as feeding, cleaning, walking, and medicating animals housed or transported within Best Friends' vehicles, buildings, or facilities; follow all policies and local standard operating procedures when completing daily functions to ensure health and safety standards are upheld. Assist with day-to-day lifesaving program activities including pet adoptions, pet transports, foster care, and other activities as needed.
• Maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and addressing or communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.

Skills and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED and a minimum of 2 years' experience working in an animal shelter with dogs of varying sizes, personalities and behavioral challenges.
• Dog and cat training and behavior knowledge and experience to include theory, training techniques, and an interest to pursue continued learning in the field; experience helping dogs and cats manage/reduce stress and in utilizing management techniques to keep yourself safe while doing so within a shelter environment.
• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred.
• General companion animal knowledge, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats including medicating, socializing, and basic behavior modification/management techniques.
• Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle all cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
• Ability to speak on, and professionally advocate for, Best Friends' position on issues, including public speaking, presentations, and consulting.
• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with the public, adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with an open adoption process.
• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until lifesaving outcome goals are achieved.
• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software (Best Friends uses Shelterluv), or desire to learn.

Physical & Other Requirements:

• Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
• Valid driver's license, meeting Best Friends Animal Society's driver qualification standards; ability to travel - anticipated to be 10% of time including but not limited to conferences, animal transportation and shelter support, including overnight stays, when needed.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.