What are the responsibilities and job description for the Training and Behavior Consultant - Relief position at Humane Society of Boulder Valley?
The Opportunity: Training and Behavior Consultant, Relief
The Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV) is seeking an experienced animal behavior professional to support the Training and Behavior department as a relief Training and Behavior Consultant. Relief employees supplement the existing talent pool by covering for absent employees and fulfilling shifts when there is additional support needed. The hours are variable and scheduled according to the availability of the consultant.
The consultant conducts behavior modification sessions for shelter canines and felines. The consultant may also provide quality adoption counseling to clients for animals participating in the behavior modification program and support the Puppy Club’s comprehensive socialization and training program in a day-training setting. The consultant reports directly to the Manager of Animal Training and works closely with other Training and Behavior Consultants, Assistants, Puppy Club Team, shelter employees, and volunteers. This position is hourly, non-exempt, with an anticipated pay range of $20.00 - $24.00 per hour. To apply, please submit resume and cover letter through our careers page. Applications will be accepted through Monday, March 17, 2025, or until the position is filled.
You may be an excellent candidate if you’ve always wanted to couple your keen understanding of animal behavior with your passion for promoting the human-animal bond. You are comfortable working one-on-one with an animal and find satisfaction in the smallest of positive behavior changes. Your genuine enthusiasm for behavior modification and positive reinforcement training enhances your ability to enrich the lives of animals.
We encourage you to apply if you have transferable experience, even if it’s not a perfect match. We encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to women, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color, people with disabilities, and veterans. Bilingual (Spanish/English) individuals are encouraged to apply.
Summary of Responsibilities
Animal Training and Behavior
The Humane Society of Boulder Valley (HSBV) is seeking an experienced animal behavior professional to support the Training and Behavior department as a relief Training and Behavior Consultant. Relief employees supplement the existing talent pool by covering for absent employees and fulfilling shifts when there is additional support needed. The hours are variable and scheduled according to the availability of the consultant.
The consultant conducts behavior modification sessions for shelter canines and felines. The consultant may also provide quality adoption counseling to clients for animals participating in the behavior modification program and support the Puppy Club’s comprehensive socialization and training program in a day-training setting. The consultant reports directly to the Manager of Animal Training and works closely with other Training and Behavior Consultants, Assistants, Puppy Club Team, shelter employees, and volunteers. This position is hourly, non-exempt, with an anticipated pay range of $20.00 - $24.00 per hour. To apply, please submit resume and cover letter through our careers page. Applications will be accepted through Monday, March 17, 2025, or until the position is filled.
You may be an excellent candidate if you’ve always wanted to couple your keen understanding of animal behavior with your passion for promoting the human-animal bond. You are comfortable working one-on-one with an animal and find satisfaction in the smallest of positive behavior changes. Your genuine enthusiasm for behavior modification and positive reinforcement training enhances your ability to enrich the lives of animals.
We encourage you to apply if you have transferable experience, even if it’s not a perfect match. We encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups including but not limited to women, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color, people with disabilities, and veterans. Bilingual (Spanish/English) individuals are encouraged to apply.
Summary of Responsibilities
Animal Training and Behavior
- Supports positive reinforcement as the primary training method employed by the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.
- Implements HSBV’s highly successful, nationally recognized shelter behavior modification program for dogs and cats who demonstrate food guarding, body handling sensitivities, fearful behavior, dog-dog incompatibility, separation anxiety, long-term residency, visual/hearing impairments, feline fear, and/or inappropriate elimination to ensure highest standard of care for sheltered animals.
- Performs behavior modification sessions daily for designated shelter dogs and cats and maintains daily communication and documentation regarding animal progress.
- Alerts Training and Behavior Manager of concerns or changes in animal behavior that may preclude their participation in the program.
- Assists the veterinary team with veterinary procedures for animals enrolled in behavior modification.
- Responsible for feeding meals to animals enrolled in behavior modification and assigned a specialized feeding schedule.
- Administers afternoon medication for any animal on behavioral pharmaceuticals.
- Facilitates interdepartmental communication and continuity in training shelter animals.
- Supports special projects as requested including data collection, photography, videography, etc.
Puppy Club
- Demonstrates a passion for all things puppy!
- Oversees and manages groups of up to six puppies at a time, ensuring positive experiences for all participants.
- Supports emphasis on group play, possesses aptitude for balanced, minimal interruption strategy to achieve normal, healthy behavior and interactions between puppies.
- Coordinates and conducts individual training and ensures foundational skills are taught and enrollee benchmarks are achieved.
- Updates The Puppy Club enrollees’ guardians with in-class progress and provides follow-up protocols to accomplish further learning.
Administrative, Operational, and Client Support
- Works with the department manager and supervisor to maintain inventory, supplies and equipment.
- Maintains a clean, attractive, and safe Training Center environment. Keeps a tidy workstation and ensures training classrooms are clean.
- Facilitates adoption counseling for shelter animals with emphasis on behavior modification patients and animals with behavior disclosures. Provides professional, thoughtful, and necessary conversation to ensure each animal’s needs are understood and strategized.
- Conducts dog-dog meets with potential adopters and for the purposes of co-kenneling HSBV residents.
- Provides quality service to clients, volunteers, and employees recognizing their individual contributions to the success of our organization.
This job ad is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all job activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required of the employee to perform this job. A background check and drug screen are required of all employment candidates.
Qualifications: At least two years of experience conducting one-on-one training sessions for dogs; additional experience training cats is desired. Certification in dog training is required and training philosophy must be in alignment with HSBV’s. At least one of these certifications is strongly preferred: Certified Trainer and Behavior Counselor through Jean Donaldson’s Academy of Dog Trainers (CTC); Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP); or Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed (CBCC-KA).
Knowledge and Skills: Professional and educational expertise in animal learning theory, scientific behavior modification strategies, and positive-based, force-free animal training including strong clicker training skills. Excellent verbal and written communication and customer service skills. Ability to initiate projects, accomplish multiple tasks, and maintain flexibility in a dynamic work environment. Basic computer skills in a Windows environment required. Committed to maintaining the integrity of HSBV’s adoption program and the mission of the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.
Work Conditions: Work is performed in an animal kennel environment, training arenas, and a shared office environment; some work is performed outdoors. Six to ten-hour shifts are spent standing, sitting, bending, lifting, twisting, kneeling, squatting, walking, answering telephones, and performing data entry. Exposure to animals, zoonotic diseases, cleaning agents, and chemicals. Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals of questionable temperament. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds with assistance.
What We Offer: The anticipated pay range for this position is $20.00 - $24.00 per hour. This pay range is the Humane Society of Boulder Valley’s best estimate for this potion and actual compensation will be based on factors including but not limited to the depth and extent of relevant experience, education, and additional training/certifications for preferred skills. Included in the compensation package:
Knowledge and Skills: Professional and educational expertise in animal learning theory, scientific behavior modification strategies, and positive-based, force-free animal training including strong clicker training skills. Excellent verbal and written communication and customer service skills. Ability to initiate projects, accomplish multiple tasks, and maintain flexibility in a dynamic work environment. Basic computer skills in a Windows environment required. Committed to maintaining the integrity of HSBV’s adoption program and the mission of the Humane Society of Boulder Valley.
Work Conditions: Work is performed in an animal kennel environment, training arenas, and a shared office environment; some work is performed outdoors. Six to ten-hour shifts are spent standing, sitting, bending, lifting, twisting, kneeling, squatting, walking, answering telephones, and performing data entry. Exposure to animals, zoonotic diseases, cleaning agents, and chemicals. Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals of questionable temperament. Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds with assistance.
What We Offer: The anticipated pay range for this position is $20.00 - $24.00 per hour. This pay range is the Humane Society of Boulder Valley’s best estimate for this potion and actual compensation will be based on factors including but not limited to the depth and extent of relevant experience, education, and additional training/certifications for preferred skills. Included in the compensation package:
- Paid sick leave
About the Humane Society of Boulder Valley: The Humane Society of Boulder Valley is a 501(c)(3), community-supported, open-door facility that provides shelter, medical care, and behavioral rehabilitation to nearly 5,000 animals annually. Its programs are inspired by its mission to protect and enhance the lives of companion animals by promoting healthy relationships between pets and people. Since its inception in 1902, the Humane Society of Boulder Valley has become one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in the community and a national leader in animal welfare.
The Humane Society of Boulder Valley offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, ancestry, military status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Internal Values: The Humane Society of Boulder Valley seeks to employ motivated, innovative, and talented individuals who bring passion, expertise, and a positive attitude to the workplace. Our employees embody our internal values: Kindness, Trust, Optimism, Humility, Collaboration, Ingenuity.
The Humane Society of Boulder Valley offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, ancestry, military status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Internal Values: The Humane Society of Boulder Valley seeks to employ motivated, innovative, and talented individuals who bring passion, expertise, and a positive attitude to the workplace. Our employees embody our internal values: Kindness, Trust, Optimism, Humility, Collaboration, Ingenuity.
Salary : $20 - $24
