Are you compassionate about animals and have a desire to speak for those who cannot? For over 100 years, the Dumb Friends League has been working to end pet homelessness and animal suffering by providing a strong and steadfast voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. As the largest community-based animal welfare organization in the region, we care for more than 20,000 homeless pets and horses each year at our four facilities and are a national model in animal welfare. If you work well with people too, join our team and help us provide that voice.

Purpose of Position:  Administer and assist in the development of behavioral modification programs. Lead the behavior team, providing support and guidance in the moment on all aspects of their work including behavior modification and behavior consults. Assist the Behavior Manager in staff scheduling, training, and program development.

 Responsibilities  

• Assist in the oversight of the day-to-day behavior department tasks and provide direction to behavior technicians when the Manager is off or unavailable.
• Develop and deliver training for staff and volunteers.
• Create educational materials for internal and external use.
• Conduct animal behavior assessment and perform hands-on delivery of animal behavior programs. This includes programs for shelter and owned animals.
• Record assessment and program related information and perform data entry to update animal records.
• Answer patron inquiries and questions regarding animal behavior and provide information resources to address concerns.
• Provide individualized hands-on behavioral training for shelter patrons.
• Participate and potentially lead in the creation of behavior programs, including documentation and program evaluation.
• Assist with the development of SOPs to ensure that they are current, communicated to, and followed by staff and volunteers.
• Monitor, evaluate, and lead initiatives to improve processes and procedures.
• Consult with other departments’ staff members to assist with care of shelter animals.
• Schedule and direct department volunteers.
• Schedule staff and monitor productivity to best align people resources.
• Assist in recruiting, hiring, developing, coaching, and counseling staff members.
• Participate in interdepartmental meetings and discussions to support and develop League initiatives.
• Perform euthanasia and related tasks.
• Lead the assessment of the behavior of sheltered dogs and cats, including behavior fast track to adoptions and euthanasia decisions for dangerous pets.
• Coordinate daily behavior modification treatments for animals in shelter.
• Coordinate response to the behavior help line, ensuring access to behavior guidance for pet owners in the community.

People Care 

People are the key to fulfilling our mission. Making internal and external patrons and their needs a primary focus is expected in all situations. This position interacts with and collaborates with employees at all levels of the organization. Communication occurs through face to face, telephone, and electronic interactions and may also include contact with the general public and League business partners. Communication and contact must be clear, understandable, cooperative, professional and respectful in all circumstances. Employees are expected to actively support a positive team environment, directly address conflict, and appropriately express concerns.

Competencies 

Competencies are work behaviors and expectations necessary for successful job performance. They encompass knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and actions. Additional definitions for competencies may be obtained from Human Resources

Organizational Key Competencies 

• Integrity and Ethics
• Adapting to Change and Ambiguity
• Customer and Community Focus
• Emotional Intelligence
• Excellence

Position Key Competencies 

• Analytical thinking
• Conflict management
• Innovation
• People development
• Project management
• Strategic thinking

Supervisory or Managerial Responsibility 

• Provides on the floor direction to Behavior team members
• Volunteers

Travel 

• This position may require travel to different work sites

SHIFT DETAILS: 4, 10-hour shifts

Full Time Benefits – Please visit our website for a comprehensive list of all offered benefits.

• Benefits (medical, dental, and vision)
• Flexible spending accounts
• League-paid Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Sick Time
• Holiday Pay
• Sabbatical
• 401(k)
• And more!

Compensation: $22.50 – $23.65 per hour (starting pay commensurate with market, experience, and equity)

Work Conditions and Physical Requirements 

Handle and restrain animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments. Subject to animal bites or scratches. Work performed in high noise level areas. Exposure to cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces. Physical efforts require constant bending, stooping, standing, climbing stairs, and walking. Frequent lifting of animals and objects with reasonable accommodation.

We will begin reviewing applications as they are received and anticipate closing the application period on April 25, 2024.

Requirements
Position Qualifications  

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities 

• Excellent organizational skills with high level of attention to detail
• Ability to effectively communicate in writing
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• General knowledge of animal behavior

Required 

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent
• Work Experience: Experience working with animals in a professional setting

  Desired 

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science or related field
• Experience working in an animal shelter or zoological facility
• History of creating animal behavior protocols
• Supervisory experience
• Bilingual fluency speaking both English and Spanish
• If driving a company vehicle, valid driver’s license and insurable driving record