What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Coordinator - Behavior and Enrichment - Domestic Animal Services position at Collier County, FL?
Job Summary
The Behavior and Enrichment Coordinator plays a key role in promoting an enriching environment for shelter animals, reducing stress, and providing opportunities for natural behavior. This position focuses on behavioral health, enrichment activities, evaluations, and pathway planning to ensure animals are successfully placed through adoption or foster care. The position provides hands-on training, behavior modification, pre- and post-adoption support, and enrichment, helping to ensure the animals thrive during their stay and find lasting placements.
Essential Functions
Behavior and Enrichment Programs:
- Oversee the behavioral health of animals through assessments, enrichment programs, and behavior modification plans.
- Create and implement individualized behavior plans for animals with challenging behaviors to support positive outcomes.
- Facilitate daily playgroups, assessing animal temperament and gathering information to improve matches with adopters.
- Use positive reinforcement methods to modify behavior and help animals succeed with potential adopters or fosters.
- Manage and adjust the shelter’s enrichment program, collaborating with other team members as needed.
- Maintain detailed behavioral records and report progress during Animal Care and Support meetings.
- Provide pre-adoption counseling, hands-on training, and post-adoption support to adopters.
- Facilitate safe meet-and-greets between adoptable animals and families with existing pets.
- Provide ongoing support to fosters, addressing behavioral challenges and offering solutions to prepare animals for adoption.
- Train staff, volunteers, and fosters in behavior management, playgroups, and low-stress handling techniques.
- Assist with staff education on animal behavior, including fear-free care, low-stress euthanasia, and safe vaccine administration.
- Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for behavior and enrichment programs.
- Provide guidance on behavior-related decisions, including adoption recommendations, placement pathways, and medical or behavior interventions.
- Ensure animals are treated with compassion and respect at all times.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and healthy environment for animals, staff, and visitors.
- Promote a humane and caring attitude toward animals and the public.
- Attend relevant seminars and webinars to stay updated on best practices in behavior and enrichment.
- Assist with other tasks and areas as needed to support shelter operations.
- Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs., walk, stand, and handle animals of various sizes and temperaments.
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate degree required.
- Three (3) years of related experience.
- Candidates without a degree should possess two (2) additional years of related experience in animal behavior, training, or behavior modification, ideally with animals of varying species, sizes, and temperaments.
- One (1) year of experience working or volunteering in animal welfare or a related field preferred.
- Preferred Skills: Strong organizational skills and the ability to solve problems creatively. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a focus on customer service and teamwork.
- Fingerprinting required.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATES:
- Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a County vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.
- Fear Free Certification or willingness to obtain within six (6) months of hire.
- Certification from IAABC, CCPDT, KPA, or a similar organization preferred.
Supplemental information
- Salary offers above the minimum of the pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.
- Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency. On an incident-by-incident basis, the County’s Administrative Office will make the determination as to who will be required to work.
- This job posting is not intended to be all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position.
