Dog Behavior Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

About Oregon Humane

Founded in 1868, Oregon Humane is the Northwest's oldest and largest animal welfare organization with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. We are working toward our vision of a world where all animals are treated with compassion, kindness and respect. With campuses in Portland and Salem, Oregon Humane is an Oregon-based nonprofit that relies on donor support for its adoption, education, medical and humane law enforcement programs. Visit oregonhumane.org to learn more about how we’re creating an ecosystem where all of us – animals and humans – feel safe, valued and part of something bigger. 

The Team 

The Training & Behavior team provides public training classes for canines and felines, these classes focus on the needs of the animals in our community. Through their work we enhance the bond between owner and pet. The T&B department also provides a behavior help line that provides free consultive services to address behavioral issues that may be faced in the home. Additionally the T&B team provides training, education and programs to staff and volunteers on subjects such as; body language, tools of the trade, enrichment, handling etc.… 

The Position 

Primary responsibilities include the implementation and teaching of group training classes, private trainings and workshops with emphasis on positive – based, force-free training.  Must be able to work with a diverse array of clients to develop realistic training and behavior goals and deliver exceptional customer service.  Response to inquiries from the public and clients should be timely, helpful and professional.   

This role will some work on Weekends. 

Eligible Benefits  

We are committed to creating a better future for pets, and we work hard to achieve our goals while offering a rewarding workplace including competitive benefit packages to our employees.    

• Medical/Dental/Vision  

• Paid Time Off + Sick Time + Holidays  

• 401(k) with employer match  

• Professional Development Opportunities  

• One free Oregon Humane adoption/ year  

• Perks & Discounts 

Essential Responsibilities 

PERSONAL LEADERSHIP 

• Consistently strives to exceed expectations; demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and the ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances. 

• Maintains high ethical standards, including exhibiting behaviors and actions that embrace and align to our organization and customer service values, while treating all people with respect and dignity.  

• Demonstrates an awareness of your individual personal strengths and development needs, modeling non-defensive behavior and openness to feedback; builds a culture of feedback and learning. 

LEARNING 

• Contributes to regular dialogue and accountability with the leadership team and across the organization to review progress and course correct if necessary. 

• Utilizes data and insights to identify, understand and articulate the key inputs and metrics that tell the story of the organization/team strategy and its progress. 

• Builds appropriate feedback loops to measure if we are meeting key milestones and if the impact planned is being felt across the organization. 

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION 

• Communicate effectively to executive and other stakeholder groups to ensure they are informed and able to actively engage. 

• Liaise with and maintain productive relationships with all stakeholders, including other departments, and donors; build mutually rewarding professional relationships inside Oregon Humane at all levels. 

• Leverage our best practices externally and grow Oregon Humane’s reputation as a leader in the animal welfare space. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Present training curriculum in a happy, enthusiastic, engaging, and informative manner.  

• Assist clients in establishing realistic training and behavior goals and address issues of client non-compliance in a professional manner.   

• Manage people, dogs and the environment for everyone’s safety.  

• Monitor class scheduling and client registration activity.   

• Educate Clients on Dog Behavior – Help clients understand canine body language, learning theory, and humane training methods. 

• Keep up to date about emerging trends in animal behavior and learning theory. 

• Maintain confidential, accurate and complete records of clients, their animals and the training and behavior services provided. Ensure secure storage and when appropriate, confidential disposal of such records.  

• Provide training, support and encouragement to volunteers, staff and students. 

• Develop and Update Training Materials – Create handouts, videos, or online resources to enhance client education. 

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY 

Supervises: None 

ACCOUNTABILITY 

Reports Directly To: Public Training Services Manager 

Often Engages Directly With: Training & Behavior, volunteers, students, clients, Director of Training & Behavior. 

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills 

We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective and thought. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. You are also encouraged to address how your professional and lived experience, scholarship, mentorship and/or service will contribute to Oregon Humane. 

• Certified Professional Dog Trainer able to maintain professional certification as a condition of employment. 

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent 

• Three years’ work experience as an instructor in public dog training classes and conducting private training sessions.   

• Experience working with behavior challenges such as fear, or reactivity, using humane, evidence-based techniques. 

• Strong commitment to force-free, science-based training methods and ability to educate clients on humane training approaches. 

• Open to new and improved methods of animal behavior training and willing to continually expand knowledge base. 

• Excellent animal handling skills and knowledge of breeds, behavior, care and housing, common health problems and disease symptoms. 

• Ability to lead workshops or seminars for dog owners or animal welfare professionals. 

• Able to use designated software programs to administer web-based client registration tools. 

• Able to exercise sound judgment and maintain a professional demeanor during all interactions with the public, partner agencies, donors, staff and volunteers. 

• Proficiency using the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills - able to communicate with a diverse population in a consistently informative, respectful and professional manner. 

Work Environment Conditions & Physical Requirements 

This position interacts and collaborates will all levels of the organization, including Oregon Humane staff, executive team members, donors, general-public, external vendors, volunteers, and supporters. Contact and communication is carried out through face-to-face, telephone and digital interactions. Excellent customer service skills are essential to success. Communication must be clear, understandable, professional and respectful in all circumstances. 

WORKING CONDITIONS  

• Work is performed in an office and medical center/animal shelter environment. 

• Travel between the two campuses may be required. 

• Working at both campuses may be required.  

• Weekend and evening work is required. 

• Animal contact and related injuries may occur. 

• Noise exposure varies and sometimes includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations. 

• Pace of work is active and demanding, requiring a high degree of multitasking and ability to adapt to changing priorities while managing concurrent projects/tasks to completion. 

• Contact with angry or emotional people may occur.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Occasional lifting and moving of inanimate objects weighing up to 50 lbs. 

• Occasional pushing and pulling of carted items weighing up to 100 lbs. 

• Occasional moving items above shoulder level.  

• Occasional use of hands and arms at or above shoulder level.  

• Prolonged standing, sitting and/or stooping may occur.  

• Occasional climbing and bending. 

• Must be able to lift, move, restrain, guide, or manage an animal weighing up to 150 lbs. on a leash on an occasional basis.  

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods. 

• Ability to respond and perform life saving techniques in an emergency. 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and address and overcome complex challenges and barriers. We strive for a culture of integrity, respect and compassion where every member of our community contributes their perspectives and authentic selves and where everyone reaches their potential as individuals and teams. We recognize that striving for diversity, equity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. 

Equal Employment Opportunity 

Oregon Humane is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained impact. 

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group. 

At-Will Employment 

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.