Animal Behavior Technician

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial. We employ a total of 200 employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion.

The Behavior Technician is responsible for providing a factual, nonbiased assessment of animal behavior in accordance with HSPPR procedures. This position provides a variety of behavior support services to animals in our care. The Behavior Technician ensures an environment of compassionate and respectful animal and people care in accordance with HSPPR's mission and values.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Performs behavior assessments on dogs and cats in a factual, non biased manner.
• Understands that behavior assessments may result in euthanasia; ensures this does not affect integrity of the assessment.
• Performs behavior consultations prior to adoption to ensure animals with more complex behaviors are set up for success in their new homes.
• Interprets and documents dog and cat body language in an objective manner.
• Trains volunteers and staff members in various behavior support programs.
• Provides innovative behavior support to improve the wellbeing of animals in our care.
• Maintain workspace and equipment in a clean, uncluttered, and sanitary manner
• Utilize proficient prioritization skills to ensure quality of work is held to a high standard, both when working independently and as a team.

Other

• Commitment to the mission, vision, goals, and success of HSPPR.
• Handle all animals in the most humane manner possible.
• Collaborate and communicate with customers, volunteers, and co-workers in a professional, courteous manner.
• Provide timely communication of issues and concerns to supervisors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties

None

Physical Demands

• Regularly sits at computer station.
• Must be able to lift, push, and pull a minimum of forty pounds with reasonable accommodations.
• Must be able to be on feet for extended periods of time.
• Typically stands, bends, stoops and crouches.
• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Periodically drives a HSPPR Vehicle to perform duties

Schedule Requirements

Schedule may include weekend and holiday work.

Workplace Type

On-site

Education/Experience Necessary

• Ability to effectively read, write, interpret, communicate, perform basic problem solving, and perform basic math as commonly expected from completion of a High School Diploma or Equivalent Education.
• Animal behavior knowledge including theory of positive reinforcement and temperament testing desired.
• At least 1 year of experience with animal handling in a professional setting.
• Experience working with volunteers or previous experience as a volunteer preferred.
• Possess excellent communication and organizational skills. Must be detail-oriented.
• Excellent interpersonal and team building skills.
• Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software, data entry and reporting .

** Applications accepted through Sunday, April 13, 2025 **

* please note: the starting wage for this position is $17.00/hour *

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer comprehensive benefits to our full-time staff.

Benefits include:

Health Insurance ~~ 401K with employer matching up to 4% of salary ~~ Dental and vision Plans ~~ Supplemental Group Life Insurance ~~ Short and long term disability Insurance ~~ Paid time off ~~ Holidays ~~ Direct Deposit ~~ Personal Pet Perks ~~ Wellness Programs ~~ Paid Sabbatical after 5 years of employment

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness-qualified employer. To learn more about this program, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect and compassion.
• Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.
• Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.
• Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.
• Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.
• Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.

As a condition of employment with HSPPR, you will be required to authorize HSPPR and ProScreening to conduct a background check before confirming an employment start date. The background check will include a criminal investigation, verification of citizenship/immigration status, and a motor vehicle record. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that any offers of employment will be contingent upon completion of the background check to the satisfaction of HSPPR.

In consideration of any offers of employment made as a result of your interest in this position, by applying for this position, you hereby waive any and all claims that you may have against HSPPR for invasion of privacy in respect to drug testing and background checks as listed above.

Salary : $17 - $18