Behavior Manager Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Summary of Purpose:

The Behavior Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, development, and execution of the shelter's behavior program ensuring positive outcomes for animals through effective training, evaluation, and placement strategies, while also overseeing the development, delivery, and growth of external behavior and training services to ensure high-quality programming, strong staff performance, and achievement of revenue goals.

Duties (Essential Functions):

Management of the Shelter Behavior Program

• Manage daily operations of behavior staff through effective delegation, support, motivation, and fair leadership to all team members.
• Responsible for interviewing, hiring, training, reviewing, terminating, and disciplinary measures of behavior team members.
• Supervise behavior staff and coordinate schedules; oversee time and labor and submit payroll records.
• Develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive training plans to ensure consistency, effectiveness, and adherence to best practices.
• Commitment to force-free training methods in all aspects of our shelter programs.
• Maintain full accountability for behavioral outcomes of animals throughout their shelter stay, including oversight of behavior modification programs (BMod), ensuring timely progress and optimal placement results.
• Monitor animal behavior across all stages of shelter care, proactively identifying changes and implementing appropriate intervention strategies.
• Ensure accurate development, documentation, and ongoing updates of behavior and training protocols for all animals.
• Oversee behavior assessments, including staff training, quarterly reviews of evaluation processes, and continuous improvement of assessment tools and criteria.
• Analyze behavior evaluation results, conduct further assessments when necessary, and make informed recommendations regarding animal disposition, including use of behavioral matrices for complex cases.
• Collaborate with the Intake team to ensure only adoptable dogs enter the program through owner surrender or return.
• Collaborate with internal teams, including Veterinary Services, to evaluate and implement behavioral medication plans when appropriate.
• Partner with Foster and Volunteer departments to train and support the safe and effective management of animals with varying behavioral needs.
• Coordinate with external partners, including Metro Animal Service and rescue organizations, to ensure animals meet adoption criteria and secure appropriate placement opportunities.
• Provide staff behavior training support across all organizational facilities as needed.
• Work within guidelines of annual budget and in compliance with KHS strategic plan as it relates to behavior.
• Participate as needed in the budget and strategic planning process for shelter services regarding Behavior.
• Work to provide KHS animals with the 5 freedoms throughout all behavior operations.

Management of the External Behavior Program

• Develop and implement curriculum for public and private behavior training classes, ensuring consistency and adherence to established training standards.
• Recruit, schedule, and support contract trainers and ensure commissions are submitted in a timely manner.
• Commitment to force-free training methods in all aspects of our external behavior programs.
• Conduct routine audits of group and private training programs to ensure quality control, provide feedback, and support continuous improvement.
• Manage operational aspects of the external training program, including class scheduling, website updates, administrative coordination, and client service responsiveness.
• Ensure timely responses to behavior-related inquiries and effective scheduling of private consultations and day-training sessions.
• Maintain and grow program to meet or exceed monthly class minimums and achieve established revenue and expense targets.
• Analyze Owner Surrender Survey data/Pet Retention behavior calls/ post-adoption survey data to ensure class offerings meet community needs for retention of clients via multi-level class offerings.
• Create pathways for long-term retention of clients via multi-level class offerings.
• Analyze department data, including retention and rollover rates of individual trainers and classes and address those that are underperforming.
• Identify and develop partnerships with external facilities to expand access and availability of public training classes.
• Collaborate with Marketing/PR to plan, coordinate, and execute promotional efforts for behavior services and programs.
• Deliver training services directly, including leading group classes or conducting private sessions as needed.

Organizational Management

• Research/benchmark behavior programs; recommend and implement changes when necessary.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and behavior programs aligned with strategic and operational needs of the organization.
• Process Purchase Orders according to established procedures and maintain inventory of all departmental supplies.
• Compile data for reports; analyze trends and recommend actions to improve processes.
• Attend all Dog Population pathway meetings and maintain a level of professionalism and objectivity when reviewing dogs including leading conversations surrounding euthanasia.
• Attend Animal Relate Services meetings, providing collaborative input and discussion on operational issues and needs, including euthanasia decision.
• Responsible for opening and closing procedures as scheduled.
• Communicate with Shelter Operations Director regarding unusual activities, significant problems or concerns.
• Serve as contact for alarm/emergency calls.

Other duties as assigned.

• 2+ years of leading a combined Shelter Behavior and Revenue producing training program preferred.
• In possession of CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, VSPDT preferred.
• 2+ years of animal training, behavior knowledge and experience to include theory of positive reinforcement, training class structure and referral systems, and the ability to assess and evaluate new animal training methods and equipment.
• Advanced dog and cat knowledge with experience in handling animals of all ages, sizes, and temperaments.
• Intermediate computer skills with the ability to prepare reports and maintain an efficient records system.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Self-directed with the ability to work independently/meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment with little direct supervision.
• Ability to envision long-range goals and apply them to daily operations.
• Ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with people of all backgrounds and personalities.
• Humane attitude towards animals.
• Ability to manage the emotional aspect of end-of-life service and humane euthanasia, and support staff in high-emotion circumstances.
• Accept, support, and represent KHS core values, programs, policies, and procedures.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and clean driving record and be willing to drive KHS vehicles.
• Ability to work a schedule inclusive of one weekend day.
• Background Check required.

Physical, Psychosocial, and Cognitive Demands/ Working Environment

• Individual will have periods of sitting, communicating, and listening.
• Frequent bending, reaching, kneeling, walking, and standing regularly while performing job functions.
• Frequently lifts, carries, or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to and exceeding 50 lbs.
• Working in an indoor desk environment includes working with animals in a sheltering setting (indoor/outdoor) in varying weather conditions.
• Potential for exposure to allergens (including but not limited to pet dander, dust, peanut butter), and zoonotic diseases (diseases transferred from animals to humans).
• Exposure to chemicals.
• Exposure to loud noise.
• Exposure to emotional circumstances.
• Fast-paced environment.