Shelter Behavior Associate

Summary: Are you interested in companion animal behavior and want to learn more about providing high-quality care while optimizing welfare for animals in need? Do you thrive in a dynamic and complex environment where colleagues from all skill levels work together to continually advance the animal behavior field? If so, the role of Behavior Associate at the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) might be right for you. The application for this position will be available until Monday, June 29 at 12pm EST. About the CRC: The CRC is located in Columbus, OH and is part of the Rehabilitation Services Group, which also includes the Behavioral Rehabilitation Center in Weaverville, NC, and the Recovery and Rehabilitation Center in Pawling, NY. The CRC provides opportunities for animals to heal after rescue, with a dedicated team of sheltering, veterinary and animal behavior staff working together to serve animals rescued in ASPCA national cruelty cases and disaster responses. What You’ll Do: The Shelter Behavior Associate role offers a unique opportunity to jump‑start or accelerate your career as a shelter behavior expert. The role starts with an intensive, 10‑week paid training program called the Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship (SBA). Following completion of the SBA, graduates join their team as Shelter Behavior Associates and continue to develop their skills, guided by their managers. Successful associates typically move to the role of Behavior Specialist after approximately one year of on‑the‑job training. Responsibilities: Shelter Behavior Associate Job Responsibilities: Conduct daily treatment sessions: perform behavior modification protocols and record data after each session using the CRC behavior database. Collect data to track an animal’s behavioral progress. Monitor the behavioral health of animals. Communicate observations and concerns to the Behavior Manager(s) and make recommendations to support treatment progress and outcome decisions during weekly meetings. Perform behavior evaluations and re‑evaluations of CRC animals. Assist, as needed, with the handling and movement of animals during cleaning, intake, exercise, grooming, exams and humane euthanasia. Provide socialization with people and/or other animals. Provide extra enrichment for designated animals. Conduct dog play groups and record data after each session. Assist with the collection and organization of footage for the video library. Adhere to all protocols set forth by the ASPCA, including behavior modification and training procedures, enrichment, animal handling, and general medical and sheltering protocols. Coaching, Consultation & Behavior Support: Participate in continuing education to develop coaching and consultation skills. Provide hands‑on coaching for CRC Care and Enrichment Technicians, visitors, interns, associates, and professionals from other organizations. Provide follow‑up support for placement partner organizations and adopters. Help facilitate animal introductions to foster parents and, when appropriate, potential adopters. Participate in Learning Lab collaborative teaching modules. Monitor the activities of volunteers interacting with CRC dogs and provide basic guidance or coaching as assigned. As assigned, serve in a shadowing role during Learning Lab collaborative teaching modules to prepare for future participation as a subject matter expert. Produce draft behavior‑related paperwork for placement partners or other purposes as assigned. Deployment & Travel/Transport: Deploy as needed to provide behavior support in temporary field shelters and to support the Behavioral Sciences Team (BST) field work. Transport animals to and from the field or the CRC as assigned. Other duties as assigned. Behavior Specialist Responsibilities: Behavior Specialists perform all responsibilities of Behavior Associates and also: Assist, as needed, with animal housing and kennel design improvement planning. Provide human and/or conspecific socialization for specified animals. Lead internal group dog training classes. Serve as a subject matter expert during Learning Lab modules for partner organizations as assigned. Give media interviews via email, phone and on camera as needed. Understand the Incident Command System (ICS) and adhere to the chain of command. Provide behavior support at ASPCA temporary shelters, conducting playgroups, performing behavior evaluations as needed, and monitoring behavioral health of animals. Qualifications: Demonstrates natural skill when handling animals, including low‑stress handling techniques. Basic understanding of animal learning, training and behavior modification preferred. Animal welfare knowledge preferred. Good low‑stress animal handling and restraint skills preferred. Able to provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals, staff and clients using low‑stress handling techniques. Displays care and concern for the safety and well‑being of self, animals and others. Must feel comfortable contributing behavior observations and consultative input to help a panel make humane euthanasia decisions; must feel comfortable handling animals for humane euthanasia procedures. Must feel comfortable working with animals who are victims of cruelty, neglect and disasters. Good team player; a people person who enjoys collaboration. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Superior problem‑solving abilities; likes to troubleshoot and find solutions when facing challenges. Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, potentially stressful environment; must be flexible and easily adapt to frequent changes to plans or protocols. Good organizational skills; meticulous data collection and reporting skills. Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Able to work standing for 8 or more hours; bend, crouch, kneel and move freely to perform responsibilities that include handling potentially dangerous animals in stressful conditions. Able to occasionally work in physically challenging conditions and wear appropriate protective gear. Fluent in the use of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with Salesforce a plus. Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history. In the Specialist role, must be able and willing to travel for up to 10 days at a time, sometimes on short notice. Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies. Education and Work Experience: High school diploma or GED required; BS in animal behavior, experimental psychology, zoology, or animal science preferred. Minimum of 6 months of hands‑on work with dogs as an employee or volunteer required. Experience handling and working with cats in some capacity as an employee or volunteer strongly preferred. Experience working in an animal shelter strongly preferred. Low‑Stress Handling® University Silver‑Level certification required within six months of hire. Disaster Sheltering and FEMA Incident Command System courses (100, 200, 700, 800) required within six months of hire. Must complete the Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship program required dates. Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship Requirements: Actively participate in shelter behavior online, classroom and hands‑on experiential learning activities throughout the Apprenticeship. Practice application of acquired skills and knowledge in a busy animal shelter setting under coaching and supervision. Perform basic handling of dogs and cats under supervision. Demonstrate acquired knowledge and skills via periodic, practical learner assessments. Assist ASPCA facility staff as necessary, providing care for animals participating in Apprenticeship activities. Provide periodic, practical feedback on the experience, activities, content and flow of the Apprenticeship to help inform program improvement. Travel for up to 3 weeks at a time for learning activities at ASPCA facilities; all associated costs covered by the ASPCA. Shelter Behavior Associates must complete the SBA program within one year of hire. SBA dates for this role are below (subject to change). Learning Theory (August 26‑27 Remote & September 1‑4 in Pawling, NY) Canine Essentials (September 23‑24 Remote & September 29‑October 8 in Methuen, MA) Canine Arousal & Aggression (November 4‑5 Remote & November 10‑19 in Pawling, NY) Feline Essentials (December 2‑3 Remote & December 7‑10 Location TBC) Shy & Fearful Canines section in 2027 (Date & Location TBD) Compensation: Starting pay depends on a variety of factors including education, training, experience, location, internal equity and market demands. The target hiring range for the initial Behavior Associate role is $25.95 - $27.40 per hour. The target range for promotion to Behavior Specialist is $28.80 - $31.02 per hour. Compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. Benefits: Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer‑paid dental and optional vision coverage. Flexible time off, including vacation, sick, bereavement, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays and personal time off. Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings, including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions. Robust professional development opportunities, including classes, on‑the‑job training, coaching and mentorship, internal mobility and field support. And more. Language: English (Required) Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process to ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation to complete any forms or otherwise participate in the application process. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regard to any protected characteristic. ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V). #J-18808-Ljbffr