Behavior Coordinator - OKC

Join our team and change the life of pets

By joining our team, you could work for Oklahoma’s largest animal welfare nonprofit and save animal lives right in Oklahoma City. We are a mission-focused group of individuals who are working to see a day when every adoptable animal finds a home. You can browse our available jobs and careers below. Thank you for your interest!

Employee Benefits (other than puppy snuggles):

Department: Intake Prorgam
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Immediate Supervisor: Intake Facility Manager
Status: Full-Time / Overtime-Eligible

Pay: $17/hr.

Purpose of Position:

Serve as a resource for animal behavior for OK Humane. Responsibilities include leading weekly behavior panel meetings, maintaining systems for collecting and tracking behavior data to inform interventions and outcome decisions, consulting with fosters and adopters, training and increasing overall quality of life and adoptability of program animals.

Duties & Responsibilities:

In accordance with organizational policies, duties include but are not limited to:

• Maintain systems for tracking behavior data and instruct staff across departments to accurately utilize behavior tracking tools.
• In accordance with OK Humane’s standards, assist Intake Coordinators in behavior assessments to determine pet’s eligibility for the adoption program.
• Conduct daily rounds to assess animals living in the kennels and apply interventions to increase welfare and adoptability.
• Design behavior modification plans and oversee implementation and progress in tandem with the Animal Care and Enrichment Coordinator.
• Provide consultations for potential adopters and fosters prior to meet-and-greets for animals with known behavior concerns.
• Work with Pet Placement Coordinators to appropriately place pets with known behavior concerns into foster homes.
• Offer post-adoption support to adopters of known behavior pets and accurately track data collected from follow-up conversations.
• Consult with adopters who are returning pets for concerning behavior and acquire and document comprehensive information to inform next steps and decision-making.
• Routinely check in with fosters of behavior pets, answer questions and concerns, and track information gathered.
• Work alongside intake, adoption and medical team management and VP of Operations to make outcome decisions for pets with behavior concerns.
• Communicate with internal and external stakeholders about outcome decisions. Ensure proper paperwork and supplies go out with each animal.
• Conduct behavior consultations and group training classes.
• Create handouts and video content to serve as behavior resources for adopters, fosters and the public.
• Conduct learning sessions for animal care staff at the intake facility or other locations to assist in caring for pets with behavior concerns.
• Consult with potential transfer partners to facilitate relocating long-stay behavior pets to new pools of potential adopters in other communities.
• Remain up-to-date on latest research surrounding appropriate assessment and handling of pets in animal rescue.
• Maintain timely and accurate electronic records and hard files.
• Follow established disease control protocols.
• Maintain equipment in working condition, report equipment or supply needs to supervisor.
• Maintain work and general areas in an organized manner.
• Cleaning and sanitizing of stainless steel cages and dog kenneling.
• Providing food & fresh water.
• Assisting foster parents with animal pickups.
• Take out trash.
• Assisting with general questions and requests from the public.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to safely handle both dogs and cats, with or without a bite history, including large dogs in both indoor and outdoor environments (leash-walking, some lifting and carrying, restraint, muzzling, placing animals into kennels/carriers).
• Must possess proven knowledge of rewards-based (force-free, positive reinforcement) dog training and behavior modification techniques.
• Must be able to effectively instruct individuals and groups of various backgrounds, ethnicities and socioeconomic status in a clear, patient and polite manner.
• Must be familiar with normal dog and cat behavior and use that knowledge to assess pets that are behaviorally sound for adoptions and relocation programs.
• Must be familiar with behavior traits of various dog breeds.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communications skills, a professional, tactful, mature and sincere attitude, and be able to represent the mission, goals and the policies of OK Humane in a creative, credible and energetic manner.
• Knowledge of/willingness to learn video content creation.
• Ability to follow directions and multitask.
• Must be able to work maturely and respectfully with diverse groups of people.
• Must be organized, flexible and adjust to rapid, changing needs.
• Must be knowledgeable and comfortable with computer systems used in operations and have basic computer skills, including database skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to animal welfare issues strongly preferred.
• Preference will be given to applicants with CCPDT, KPA, or other equivalent dog training/behavior certification.
• Commitment to mission, values, goals and success of OK Humane.
• Must be proficient in MS Office.
• Position will require non-traditional scheduling to include weekend days and evenings.

Physical Requirements:

Work may be performed in a kennel/shelter setting and/or outdoors.

• Must be able to work standing or sitting for 8 or more hours.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day with help.
• Must be able to bend and kneel repeatedly.
• Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows.
• Must have good range of motion in your back, for instance twisting.
• Must be able to work in potentially extreme environmental temperatures.
• Must be able to use a ladder and or step stool.
• Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination.
• Must possess an acceptable degree of dexterity in hands and fingers. Exposure to disinfectant solutions when cleaning.
• Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals of questionable temperament.