What Success Looks Like In This Job

The Behavior Assistant reports to the Shelter Operations Manager and performs behavior evaluations, provides objective descriptions, and makes disposition decisions.  Responsibilities include assisting Animal Care Technicians with completing morning cleaning duties, directing the flow of animals through the behavior department and maintaining a healthy capacity of behavior animals. The Behavior Assistant works to ensure stress reduction for animals and makes recommendations for animals showing signs of kennel stress. The Behavior Assistant helps coordinate with enrichment volunteers to perform daily enrichments activities, maintain documentation to measure effectiveness, and monitor supplies and serves as a mentor and resource for staff and volunteers.  The Behavior Assistant works with Shelter Leadership and Veterinary Staff to ensure the shortest length of stay and highest quality of life standards possible for all shelter pets.

Examples of Duties for Success

• Maintain and clean kennels.
• Adhere to effective disease control practices.
• Performs behavior evaluations daily in accordance with standardized assessments and provides detailed objective descriptions of the behavior observed.
• Maintain and update all notes in Chameleon regarding behavior, behavior modification, and kennel enrichment.
• Recommends animals for behavioral modification, training, foster, rescue, medical care, or euthanasia.
• Establishes individual plans for behavior modification for at-risk animals, gauge effectiveness of modification plans for specific animals and be able to change plans as needed.
• Speak directly and professionally with owners, adopters, staff, and volunteers regarding a pet’s behavior and suitability for adoption through ACASAC.
• Provide post adoption follow up and support for any behavior questions or challenges in person, over the phone, or through email.
• In conjunction with Volunteer Coordinator, integrates and takes an active role in training volunteers for animal enrichment.
• Maintains enrichment supplies and a clean and tidy work area.
• Execute approved enrichment and ensure proper documentation.
• Works closely with Shelter Veterinary Team to ensure timely and appropriate treatment for medical concerns.
• Coordinates appropriate housing within the animal shelter based on animal needs.
• Oversee the Blue-Collar Kitty program.
• Participates in creation of shelter protocols.
• Provides staff training as it relates to assessment and behavior.
• Works with Community Relations Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator to select animals for offsite adoption events.
• Works with the Foster Coordinator to provide guidance to foster parents caring for animals with behavioral concerns.
• Assist in directing marketing initiatives for animals who are traditionally challenging to place and may otherwise have a longer length of stay
• Participates in County and Shelter training as assigned.
• Participates in Shelter, County, and various animal welfare community meetings as needed.
• Fosters and maintains relationships with partner shelters and rescue organizations to facilitate transfer of animals.
• Works with Shelter leadership team to continuously improve quality of life for all shelter animals.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications for Success

• Use standardized assessments methods and practices to perform aggression and behavior assessments of all dogs and cats entering the shelter.
• Make recommendations and/or supports the decisions of the Shelter Operations Manager and the Director regarding the most current and humane behavior modification and training practices.
• Knowledge of dog and cat behavior.
• Use and promote positive reinforcement and low stress handling methods.
• Understand and use modern and complex principles and practices of animal care.
• Learn and maintain knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Seek ways to improve and enhance the shelter’s operations, animal care, and services.
• Using excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, community and shelter partners, and members of the public. Consistently models open and productive communication.
• Exercise good judgment when dealing with the public, volunteers, employee issues, animal-related concerns, and confidential information.
• Execute projects with little supervision and work independently.
• Must be highly self-motivated and well organized to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment.
• Must be willing to support and communicate Adams County Animal Shelter/Adoption Center euthanasia policies and decisions.
• Humanely euthanize animals and dispose of remains
• Computer skills: Basic computer and data entry skills. Knowledge of Chameleon Software preferred.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

More Qualifications for Success

• Experience:
  • At least two (2) years of hands-on experience working with animals, including animal handling and breed identification.  At least one (1) year of experience performing animal assessments in a shelter environment required.
  • CPDT-KA, KPA, CTC, certification or equivalent preferred.
  • Preferred Requirements:  Background in animal behavior preferred; dog training and/or behavior modification experience with positive reinforcement and force free method; and/or experience working in an open-admissions shelter environment.
• Education and Training:
  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
  • Preferred Requirement: College degree.
• License or Certificate:
  • SAFER® certified, or the ability to become certified within one year.
  • Euthanasia Certification, or ability to become certified within one year.

Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.