Animal Behavior Coordinator

Are you looking for a position with a work/life balance? Do you want to earn four (4) weeks off during your first year of employment? Do you want low and no cost health insurance options? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to complete your application now. Work for the city you love!!!

Animal Care and Protective Services is actively seeking an Animal Behavior Coordinator.

Did you know as a City of Jacksonville employee, you would also have twelve (12) paid holidays and a personal leave day as well? In addition to health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and flexible spending plans are also available. City of Jacksonville employees are also eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after ten (10) years of public service and on-time payments.

This is technical work in the identification of behavior problems, evaluation of concerning behaviors and creation, implementation and execution of behavior modification and training protocol.  Work requires knowledge of techniques, methods and procedures used in behavior training using specialized skills or specialized equipment, which are acquired through a combination of training and applicable on the job experience.   Contacts with others require skills in understanding and/or influencing people and are important in providing client services, including requesting or providing information, taking a behavior history, asking questions, or obtaining clarification. Skills of persuasiveness, assertiveness, and sensitivity to others point of view are often required to influence behavior, change an opinion, or turn a situation around.   The work is semi-routine in that tasks are covered by procedures or precedents, but some latitude is permitted to consider the most appropriate method, technique, or procedure to follow.  The work is patterned involving similar situations and generally requiring only the choice of the correct procedure. Operates standard office equipment such as personal computer, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, and animal restraint equipment.  Operates a motor vehicle.  Work is performed in an animal shelter environment, where there are some risks and hazards due to the handling of vicious, ill, infectious, and potentially rabid animals, and exposure to offensive odors, chemicals, and other airborne nuisances but the hazards are known, somewhat predictable and mostly controllable.  Works also in the transportation of animals to and from offsite locations.  The physical demands consist mainly of standing, walking, sitting and sometimes lifting objects weighing more than 50 pounds. The work is performed under general supervision where the work assignments are varied and, although subject to standard practices and procedures, the worker is permitted some latitude to set own priorities subject to supervisor's approval.

• Monitors and assesses behavioral   requests within 48 hours.
• Oversees daily enrichment and lead daily play groups.
• Documents results and updates status and/or holds and memo information based on results.
• Works with  animals and creates behavior modification protocols unique to each animal’s noted challenges. 
• Documents activities in shelter software program.
• Assists with public requests for behavior assistance. 
• Provides training for volunteers and staff.
• Meets with adopters as needed to provide counseling and education on behavior training protocols and strategies.
• Assists with the planning of activities for and at adoption events.
• Coordinates volunteer dog handlers specifically working in behavior and modification programs.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of animal sheltering best practices for enrichments and animal behavior and recommends programming changes to keep innovative programs moving forward. 
• Reports to work location during emergency circumstances such as actual and anticipated natural and man-made disasters. 
• Performs euthanasia as taught by the FACA  (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with the ACPS euthanasia protocol. 
• Operates standard office equipment such as personal computer using word, spreadsheet, database and other related software, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, and animal restraint equipment.
• Operates a motor vehicle. 
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville’s competencies. 
• Performs related work as required.

• Knowledge of techniques, methods and procedures used in behavior training.
• Knowledge of standardized work routines and procedures used to handle, care for, and identify a variety of animals.  
• Knowledge of City’s Customer Service Policy. 
• Ability to handle or restrain large and sometimes dangerous animals. 
• Ability to train using positive reinforcement training techniques. 
• Ability to prepare and maintain records, data entry for reporting and use a computer. 
• Ability to pay attention to details, organize and follow through on assigned tasks. 
• Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written communication. 
• Ability to perform euthanasia as taught by the FACA (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with the ACPS euthanasia protocol. 
• Ability to remain patient and professional in dealing with customers and volunteers.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment such as personal computer using word, spreadsheet, database and other related software, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, and animal restraint equipment. 
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

• Two years of education and/or technical experience in animal husbandry, professional animal handling and care experience and 
• A minimum of one-year experience in a shelter or animal welfare environment.

Behavior certification by a nationally accredited professional dog training or behavior consulting organizations is preferred.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

• Euthanasia Technician Certification is required to be obtained during probation period and must be maintained. 
• A valid driver's license is required and must be maintained during employment in this class.
• Must qualify for prior to appointment, obtain, and maintain during employment in this class a City of Jacksonville certification as a public driver.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:  

• The probationary period for this class is six months.  
• This classification performs safety-sensitive functions and is subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville’s Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401).  

A FULLY COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED. Apply at www.jacksonville.gov. Work history is required for all employment/volunteer work in which qualifications are being based. When meeting/basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript, with your social blacked out, is required with your application. U.S. transcripts do not need to be official, but must state your name, the school’s name, classes taken, grades received, type of degree, and date degree was conferred. Transcripts outside the U.S. must be converted to U.S. standards.

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Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and the family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, in employment and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.

If claiming veteran's preference, you must attach a DD-214 (Member Form-4 copy) or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs listing military status, dates of service and character of discharge. You must also attach the Veterans Preference Certification Form and if applicable, the additional forms as noted here: http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services/veterans-preference.

If a candidate believes he or she was not afforded veteran’s preference, he or she may file a written complaint, within sixty (60) calendar days upon receipt of notification of the hiring decision, requesting an investigation to:

Florida Department of Veterans Affairs
Attention: Veterans’ Preference Coordinator
11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311-K  
Largo, FL 33778-1630 
Email: VeteransPreference@fdva.state.fl.us

Salary : $38,055