Behavior Specialist
Behavior Specialist
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$ 28 - 30
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Summary:
The ASPCAs Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) in Weaverville NC is the first and only facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and study of extremely fearful undersocialized dogs such as those confiscated from puppy mills and hoarding situations. The goal of the entire BRC team is to work together to improve these dogs quality of life and prepare them for life in adoptive homes---an impossible outcome without intensive structured behavioral interventions and integrative holistic care.
Behavior Rehabilitation Specialists play a critical role on the BRC team supporting several primary responsibilities which include behavior monitoring modification evaluation and data collection as well as coaching for a variety of visitors and animal welfare professionals. One of the most critical functions of the Behavior Rehabilitation Specialists is to serve as part of a harmonious united team of shelter operations shelter medicine and animal behavior experts all dedicated to collaborating with each other to provide balanced integrative holistic care to ensure all work supports the dogs in treatment.
Ideal candidates for this role will have a keen interest in applied animal behavior and research a solid understanding of animal learning principles superior animal handling skills excellent coaching/teaching skills and exceptional people skills. Success will hinge on the ability to collaborate well with behavior operations and veterinary teammates at the BRC fellow animal behavior experts in other ASPCA departments and visiting professionals from other organizations. This position reports to the Sr. Manager of Behavior Rehabilitation.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:
Behavior Modification Behavior Assessment Animal Handling & Data Collection (65%)
Conduct daily treatment sessions: perform behavior modification protocols and collect data after each session using the BRC behavior database
Conduct behavior evaluations and collect data to track dogs progress through the program
Assist in reviewing surveys for graduated and adopted dogs to evaluate successes and opportunities of the program
Monitor behavioral health and communicate observations and concerns to the appropriate BRC staff member(s); make recommendations to support outcome decisions
Serve as team captain planning treatment sessions for the day and ensuring efficient workflow
Assist with the handling and movement of fearful/aggressive dogs during cleaning intake exercise grooming exams and humane euthanasia
Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care and our staff by using low-stress handling techniques.
Coaching Consultation & Behavior Support (25%)
Monitor the activities of volunteers interacting with BRC dogs during individual treatment sessions and provide guidance/coaching
Under the direction of the Sr. Managers of Behavior Rehabilitation and the Sr. Director Behavior Rehabilitation provide hands-on coaching for BRC Care & Enrichment Technicians visitors and interns
Participate in Learning Lab collaborative teaching modules to share BRC protocols providing coaching for professionals from partner organizations; participate in facilitation of Learning Lab collaborative teaching modules as needed
Produce behavior-related paperwork for graduates for placement partners and adopters
Provide support for placement partner organizations adopters and fosters including virtual and in-person consultations as necessary
Facilitate on-site graduate introductions to receiving placement partners foster parents and potential adopters
As appropriate give talks for public and professional audiences
Give media interviews via email via phone and on camera as needed
Deployment & Travel (10%)
Deploy to support Behavioral Sciences Team (BST) field work (handling for animal removal handling for intake and performing forensic behavior evaluations) and to support other ASPCA behavior teams
Transport animals to and from the BRC
Liaise with placement partner organizations
Attend training and development opportunities
Other duties as assigned
Exemplifies the ASPCAs Core Values:
Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
Believes in Team that we are stronger together
Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
Focuses on Impact specifically making change for animals
Qualifications:
Exceptional behavior modification and animal handling skills
Thorough companion animal behavior and animal welfare knowledge
Excellent low-stress animal handing and restraint skills
Effective teaching/coaching skills
Excellent communication skills (spoken and written); a flexible communicator able to interact with diverse personalities and groups
Maintains a positive attitude enjoys collaborating and working directly with people and respects team members at all levels
Always treats people and animals with care and respect; must be a compassionate caregiver for animals and have a genuine interest in leading others
Effective problem-solving abilities; likes to troubleshoot and find solutions when facing challenges
Meticulous data collection and reporting skills
Good organizational skills
Fluent in internet usage and research
Fluent in the use of MS Word Excel PowerPoint
Must be flexible and easily adapt to frequent changes to plans/protocols
Able to thrive in a fast-paced potentially stressful environment
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
Must feel comfortable seeing animals suffering from extreme fear and anxiety on a daily basis; must feel comfortable participating in humane euthanasia procedures for behaviorally unhealthy animals
Must provide a valid drivers license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history
Available to work a flexible schedule when needed including days evenings weekends and holidays; regular schedule will include one weekend day
Ability and willingness to travel up to 10%
Language:
English (required)
Education and Work Experience:
High school diploma or GED required
Minimum of 2 years experience working as a professional animal behavior expert handling treating and evaluating animals with behavior problems
Animal sheltering experience required
Experience working with extremely fearful or under-socialized dogs strongly preferred
CPDT-KA strongly preferred
Low Stress Handling University Silver-Level certification is required within six months of hire
Completion of the Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship program is required within 2 years of hire
Compensation and benefits:
Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors including but not limited to education training experience location business needs internal equity market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.
The target hiring range for this role is $28.37 - $30.77
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Qualifications:
See above for qualifications details.Language:
Education and Work Experience:
Bachelors High School Diploma (Required)Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
