Behavior and Enrichment Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Behavior and Enrichment Specialist supports the Behavior and Enrichment Manager in ensuring the emotional and behavioral well-being of every animal sheltered at McKamey Animal Center, helping to assure every pet MAC places is a safe companion for the public and supporting the community we serve in healthy and safe animal caretaking. MAC is committed to not euthanizing animals for space, but as an open admissions agency we frequently deal with animals that are ill, injured or unsafe for placement. As such, the successful candidate must be able to compassionately, thoughtfully and transparently participate in team discussions regarding individual animals’ behavior and safety, kennel presentation, and quality of life. Working collaboratively with staff and volunteers, the successful candidate will help assess animals (primarily dogs) for determination of appropriate placement pathways, implement behavior modification and stress reduction plans to improve the adoptability of animals when possible, assist animal care staff in making space for incoming animals, and ensure that animals receive appropriate enrichment and socialization throughout their shelter stay.

SALARY AND SCHEDULE

• Hourly Rate: $16 dependent on experience/certification
• Schedule: Flexible, weekend and evening hours likely
• Benefits: Medical, dental, holidays, retirement plan

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (includes, but not limited to):

• Follow established protocols and procedures for assessing behavior of sheltered animals in order to determine and expedite proper placement pathways.
• Participate in training and behavioral modification efforts to increase sheltered animals’ adoptability.
• Provide enrichment for sheltered animals in accordance with established protocols.
• Assist with movement of animals within the shelter to ensure open space for incoming animals.
• Support the public in preventing and resolving behavior challenges that otherwise might result in relinquishment.
• Help train staff, volunteers and the general public on topics including, but not limited to, safe and humane animal handling, enrichment and behavior, delivery of enrichment programs, playgroups, behavior assessment and monitoring, and support for clients with concerns about behavior issues.
• Assist staff and volunteers in the performance of their respective job responsibilities related to animal behavior and enrichment, and promote the development of related skills.
• Help ensure that MAC maintains compliance with applicable provisions of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters.
• Accurately maintain records and daily paperwork, behavioral statistics and other records and data.
• Ensure highest standards of professionalism and customer service whenever interacting with others.
• Work closely with MAC veterinary, animal services and animal care staff and volunteers to ensure the highest standards of animal health, welfare and lifesaving.
• Support the humane euthanasia of animals behaviorally unsuited for placement in the community.
• Assist with daily care, movement and cleaning of sheltered animals, as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrable knowledge of basic domestic animal care and safe/humane animal handling required.
• Strong animal handling skills and demonstrated understanding of basic animal health, care and welfare issues required.
• Must be computer savvy.
• Ability to maintain composure in an often stressful and emotional work environment.
• Ability to make sound judgments and work independently and in a team setting in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Proven organizational skills and attention to detail, and effective record keeping ability.
• Ability to relate to and confer with Veterinarians, shelter leadership, co-workers and the general public in a positive and constructive manner at all times; ability to exercise good judgment when dealing with the public and when making decisions in the absence of leadership.
• Ability to effectively train and mentor others.

Education and Experience Required

• Candidates with or working towards CPDT, IAABC or other professional certification in animal behavior/training strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year dog training/handling experience required.
• Expertise in cat training/behavior desirable.
• At least 1 year experience working/volunteering in an animal shelter or similar setting preferred, including experience evaluating the behavior of dogs.
• Demonstrable knowledge of current animal welfare issues.
• Fear free certification highly desirable (required within first 90 days).
• Must be comfortable handling reptiles, birds, farm animals, equines and other species.
• High School diploma required.
• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record required.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Potential for standing/walking/bending up to eight to ten (8-10) hours a day.
• Must be able to performing physical tasks like animal restraint, physical examinations of animals, scrubbing cages, cleaning floors and more.
• Must have quick reflexes and ability to use both hands simultaneously (example: open cage door while handling animal, react to escaping animal).
• Occasional lifting of up to a hundred (100) pounds with assistance.
• Ability to bend and squat in order to leash/harness, and/or pick up an animal.
• Ability to see well enough to move safely around the building, distinguish animal body language, read instructions, and read an animal’s paperwork.
• Ability to hear if an animal is giving warning signs, such as growling, yelping or hissing.
• Must not have strong allergies to dogs, cats or other companion animals that can’t be managed by medication, or to chemicals used in grooming or cleaning. Must not be highly allergic to peanuts/ peanut products including peanut butter, dairy/meat products, or grains, etc, (used in animal feed).
• Exposure to high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, and animal bites/scratches when handling animals.
• Exposure to all weather conditions when outdoors.

McKamey Animal Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We reserve the right conduct criminal background checks and requires drug testing of all employment candidates.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $18