Animal Behavior Jobs Near Me

Summary:

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:  

Behavioral Support & Data Collection  

• Conduct daily treatment sessions: perform behavior modification protocols and record data after each session using the CRC behavior database  

• Collect data to track an animal’s behavioral progress  

• Monitor the behavioral health of animals  

• Communicate observations and concerns to the Behavior Manager(s) and make recommendations to support treatment progress and outcome decisions during weekly meetings  

• Perform behavior evaluations and re-evaluations of CRC animals  

• Assist, as needed, with the handling and movement of animals during cleaning, intake, exercise, grooming, exams and humane euthanasia  

• Assist, as needed, with animal housing and kennel design improvement planning  

• Provide human and/or conspecific socialization for specified animals  

• Provide extra enrichment for designated animals  

• Conduct dog play groups and record data after each session  

• Assist with the collection and organization of footage for video library  

• Adhere to all protocols set forth by the ASPCA, including behavior modification and training procedures, enrichment, animal handling, as well as general medical and sheltering protocols  

Coaching & Behavior Operations 

• Monitor the activities of volunteers interacting with CRC animals during individual treatment sessions and provide guidance/coaching  

• Provide hands-on coaching, under the direction of the Behavior Manager and the Sr. Director, Animal Behavior, for CRC Care & Enrichment Technicians, volunteers, visitors and interns   

• Lead internal group dog training classes  

• Produce behavior-related paperwork for fosters, placement partners and adopters  

• Provide follow-up support for fosters, placement partners and adopters   

• Facilitate on-site introductions for receiving placement partners and foster parents   

• Facilitate media interviews via email, via phone and on camera as needed  

Deployment 

• Deploy to support Behavioral Sciences Team’s (BST) field work, handling animals during removal and intake and conducting forensic behavior evaluations  

• Understand Incident Command System (ICS) and adhere to chain of command   

• Provide behavior support at ASPCA temporary shelters, conducting behavior treatments and playgroups and monitoring behavioral health of animals at the temporary shelter  

Qualifications  

• Exceptional behavior modification and animal handling skills  

• Thorough companion animal behavior and animal welfare knowledge  

• Low-stress animal handing and restraint skills preferred 

• Displays care and concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially during stressful situations 

• Must feel comfortable contributing behavior observations and consultative input to help a panel make humane euthanasia decisions; must feel comfortable handling animals for humane euthanasia procedures  

• Must feel comfortable seeing animals suffering from extreme fear and anxiety on a daily basis 

• Effective teaching/coaching skills 

• Good team player; a “people person” who enjoys collaboration 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills  

• Superior problem-solving abilities; likes to troubleshoot and find solutions when facing challenges 

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, potentially stressful environment 

• Must be flexible and easily adapt to frequent changes to plans/protocols  

• Good organizational skills 

• Meticulous data collection and reporting skills 

• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds 

• Able to work standing for 8 or more hours and bend, crouch, kneel and move freely to perform responsibilities that include handling potentially dangerous animals in stressful conditions 

• Able to occasionally work in physically challenging conditions and able to wear appropriate protective gear, including a protective mask; job responsibilities may entail exposure to chemical and biological hazards, such as feces and blood, exposure to sharp objects, working in noisy environments and working in areas with uneven, wet and slippery surfaces 

• Fluent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with Shelter Manager or other shelter software systems and Filemaker a plus 

• Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history 

• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies. 

Education and Work Experience

• High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working as a professional animal behavior expert, handling and evaluating dogs is required 

• Experience handling and working with animals exhibiting extreme arousal and extreme fear is strongly preferred 

• Experience working in an animal shelter is preferred 

• Experience handling and working with cats is strongly preferred 

• Certification from CCPDT or IAABC (or similar) is strongly preferred 

• Fear Free or Low Stress handling ™ certification is required within 60 days of hire 

• Disaster Sheltering and FEMA Incident Command System courses (100, 200, 700, 800) is required within 90 days of hire   

Additional Information - Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship Requirements:   

• Actively participate in shelter behavior online, classroom and hands-on experiential learning activities throughout the SBA  

• Practice application of acquired skills and knowledge in a busy animal shelter setting, with coaching and supervision by SBA staff   

• Perform basic handling of dogs and cats under the supervision of SBA staff   

• Demonstrate acquired knowledge and skills via periodic, practical learner assessments throughout the SBA to assist Instructors in providing personalized coaching   

• Assist ASPCA facility staff as necessary, providing care for animals participating in SBA activities (e.g., cleaning, feeding, providing enrichment/exercise)   

• Provide periodic, practical feedback on the experience, activities, content and flow of the SBA to help inform program improvement and iteration   

• Travel for up to 3 weeks at a time for learning activities at ASPCA facilities (all associated costs covered by the ASPCA)   

• While not participating in the SBA program, Specialists will have regular work schedules at the CRC in Columbus, OH   

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience (Required)

Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community:
If you are interested in joining our team but don't feel this position fits your experience or interests, please check out our other open opportunities or consider joining our Talent Community.

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501