Canine Enrichment Specialist

Posion: Canine Enrichment Specialist

Job Status: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Animal Care Manager

Posion Summary:
R esponsible for the overall cognive health of the SPCA’s canine shelter populaon with the goals of shortening length of stay, reducing shelter stress, and increasing pet retenon and adopon.

E ssenal Dues / Responsibilies:

• Develop strategic methods to shorten length of stay and increase adopon rates for all canines entering the SPCA’s care.
• C onduct canine playgroup sessions daily, in conjuncon with staff and volunteers. Ensure that all parcipants are well-trained and adhering to rules. Write up playgroup summaries aer each session and ensure that the informaon gets entered into the shelter database.

• Ensure updated behavior informaon is available at all mes via shelter database.
• Provide daily kennel enrichment acvies for all dogs in the shelter.
• Provide pet retenon counseling for owners trying to give up pets and adopon follow-up c ounselling for adopters having issues with adopted dogs.
• Specialized adopon and foster counseling for targeted dogs based on individualized plans for e ach, including support to the adopters and fosters once the dog has le the shelter.
• Assist Adopon Counselors in sending shelter dogs out on Fido Field Trips. Ensure informaon provided from field trips is entered into shelter database. Make sure picture and video content is distributed and/or ulized for promoonal materials.

• U pdate bios, photos, and videos of dogs in the shelter database and use social media to promote the shelter dogs.

• Parcipate in dog planning meengs, focusing on markeng ideas, behavioral support, playgroup u pdates, and streamline informaon sharing to update a team consisng of various departments a nd volunteers.

• Lead group and individual dog walking training sessions for volunteers and staff in conjuncon w ith the Volunteer Manager and department heads.

• Collect and compile informaon from all departments, fosters, previous owners, volunteers, and fi eld trips to create comprehensive behavioral informaon useful for placement of the animal.

• Build and maintain an “End of Day Reporng” system for informaon to be gathered and distributed about each dog that comes in and out of the shelter.

• Train Animal Care staff to appropriately assist and conduct canine behavior assessments.
• Work in tandem with the front desk to schedule and lead meet-and-greets with potenal adopters.
• Effecvely communicate with staff, volunteers, and potenal adopters.

P hysical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Ability to li and transport materials weighing up to 60 pounds.
• Ability to handle animals effecvely and humanely.
• Have a high level of manual dexterity.
• The ability to bend and squat.
• The ability to stand for significant periods of me.
• Exposure to disinfectant soluons.
• Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals.
• Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens under condions with limited alternaves available.
• Must be available to work weekends and holidays as deemed necessary.

Qualificaons:

• B achelor's Degree preferred.
• Animal care experience required.
• E xperience running playgroups for large dogs preferred.
• Valid Virginia Driver’s License required.
• Must be comfortable safely driving all SPCA transport vans and Compassionate Care-A-Van, abiding by all traffic laws.
• Must be able to safely and compassionately handle and work with all cats and dogs, including those with medical or behavioral challenges.
• Must have the ability to acvely problem solve and seek answers independently.
• M ust have strong organizaonal skills and the ability to coordinate a project with mulple and oen changing components.
• M ust be a team player and self-starter with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with m inimal supervision.
• Must be highly movated, with strong communicaon skills and a professional manner.
• Must have the ability to get along well with a variety of people, as well as demonstrate ability to handle sensive and confidenal situaons and informaon.
• Must have a strong knowledge of animal caregiving with the ability to idenfy medical and behavioral characteriscs of dogs and cats.
• Computer literate: MS Office, Internet, Google docs and mail.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Days:

• Holidays
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Relocate:

• Charlottesville, VA 22901: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $21