Animal Welfare and Behavior Coordinator

Langley Animal Protection Society; City of Langley; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Animal Welfare and Behavior Coordinator to enhance the lives of animals in their care. This role involves overseeing animal welfare, conducting behavior modifications, and supporting adoptions while collaborating with a dedicated team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in animal behavior, excellent communication skills, and a passion for animal welfare. You'll be instrumental in creating a positive impact on both animals and the community, ensuring compliance with welfare standards and fostering a supportive environment for staff and volunteers. Join a team committed to excellence and compassion in animal care.

Benefits

Medical, Dental and Extended Health

Vacation and Wellness Days

RRSP matching after 1-year employment

Education opportunities

Pet friendly environment

Supportive work environment

Casual dress

Paid time off

Store discount

Wellness program

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in animal sheltering or related fields.
• Strong understanding of animal learning theory and health.
• Experience in providing training and support to volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Oversee health and welfare of shelter animals.
• Conduct temperament assessments and provide training.
• Support community events and foster placements.

Skills

Animal Behavior Modification

Animal Welfare Standards

Interpersonal Skills

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Organizational Skills

Education

Grade 12

Courses in Animal Care

Fear Free Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Title: Animal Welfare and Behavior Coordinator

Reports To: Director of Animal Welfare

Under the direction of the Manager of Animal Welfare, the Animal Welfare and Behavior Coordinator position is responsible for all day-to-day operating procedures governing and facilitating good welfare of the animals at LAPS. This role also provides support to the Animal Pathway Planning Coordinator, Animal Health Coordinator and the Animal Care Team. The Animal Welfare and Behavior Coordinator will oversee the welfare for every animal from intake to adoption and collaborate with the Animal Health Coordinator with managing the animal’s health. They will provide and supervise training and behaviour modification for all shelter animals using ethical methods that do not use pain, force or intimidation. The Animal Welfare and Behavior Coordinator will support the foster placement and adoptions of animals needing behavioral support with one-to-one instruction for fosters/adopters pre and post placement. Working as a member of the Animal Care Team, this position interacts and collaborates with all organization levels. In addition, they act as a subject matter expert and provide staff/volunteer training as necessary about animal behavior.

Duties And Responsibilities

ADOPTIONS

• Oversee health and welfare of shelter animals in cooperation with internal stakeholders ensuring compliance with the Canadian Standards of Care for Animal Shelters and the Fear Free Sheltering Program.
• Supports the pathway plans for each animal and ensures they are moving closer to adoption each day.
• Support adoption process by working with the Animal Coordinator Team and make recommendations to the Manger of Animal Welfare to improve systems as needed.
• Conducts adoption interviews when needed and attends meets for animals needing behavior support.
• Supports the promotion of adoption through accurate record keeping communications and advocacy.
• Supports Foster-to-Adopt arrangements for animals needing additional behavior support and provides support to the Animal Health Coordinator for neonates and moms as it relates to behavior and welfare.
• Support the Animal Pathway Coordinator with surrender applications including interviews and temperament assessments for any animals needing behavior support.

ANIMAL WELFARE/ENRICHMENT/TRAINING

• Oversee and conduct temperament assessments for dogs coming into shelter as per procedure and policy.
• Oversee and provide daily enrichment for all animals and ensure physical, emotional and mental well-being for animals in LAPS care.
• Create, implement, and conduct behavior modification/training plans.
• Track progress and modify plans as needed
• Update the Manager of Animal Welfare weekly on the status/progress of behavior modification plans
• Promote progressive and evidence-based welfare enhancements to animal care at LAPS
• Provide training and support to Animal Care team to ensure optimal behavior support and welfare for the animals and to ensure staff are set up for success in their positions.
• Collaborates with Manager of Animal Welfare and Executive Director to make humane euthanasia decisions when necessary.
• Create programming and SOPs to aid in the improvement of systems regarding animal behavior and welfare.

ANIMAL HEALTH

• Assists the Animal Health Coordinator with monitoring the health of all animals in the shelter
• Assist Animal Care Team in administering all routine treatments to animals in the shelter.
• Assist the Animal Care team in daily duties and to prepare shelter for daily opening or closing as needed.

VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATION

• Support volunteers by providing safety orientations and training including, but not limited to:
• Animal Behavior
• Safe handling techniques
• Ethical training methods
• Provide on going support for volunteers working with the shelter animals
• Work in collaboration with the Animal Care team and Volunteer Coordinator to recognize volunteers and their contribution to LAPS, informal and formal events.

COMMUNITY WORK

• Support and attend community events in coordination with other departments.
• Assist with projects that are to create and enhance LAPS support for community animals.
• Provide for behavior training one-on-one and group lessons and LAPS facility and off-site locations to help support the human-animal bond and to allow for pet guardians and their animals to remain together.

THE DOGHOUSE

• Provide holiday and sick coverage for Fraser Valley Institution for women (FVI)
• Facilitate dog transfers to the Doghouse program

OTHER DUTIES

• Support program coordinators and animal care team in their tasks when needed
• Work with the Animal Pathway Planning Coordinator to ensure adequate retail supply and promote the sale of products to help animals transition into their homes stress free.
• Research sources for low cost and ethical supplies for animals in shelter and retail.
• Cover Reception Break as needed
• Other duties as assigned.

Overall LAPS Vision And Operation

• Support and promote the vision and strategic plan of LAPS
• Ensure positive public relations and customer service practices
• Ensure compliance with all protocols, procedures, and policies of LAPS
• Demonstrate the LAPS Team Values of Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Adaptability, Connection and
• Accountability in all decisions and interactions.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed concurrently in an office and Animal shelter environment, with required attendance at offsite venues.
• Standing, sitting and active movement during entire shift if required.
• Regular exposure to various outdoor conditions and weather.
• Occasional driving on public streets, under a variety of traffic conditions.
• Work performed both in and out of shelter requires lifting, bending, stooping, pushing and other strenuous activities. Must be able to lift a maximum of 50 lbs.
• Interaction with children, adolescents and adults from the public is frequent and requires respectful, empathetic, and professional behavior always.
• Frequent exposure to computer video terminal and computer peripherals.
• Exposure to potentially aggressive, unruly, and sick, diseased and parasite infested animals and with potentially zoonotic diseases.
• Safe handing exposure to chemical cleaners.
• Environment can be noisy, odorous, and stressful, both physically and emotionally.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of four years of related experience in sheltering or working with animals
• A strong understanding of animal learning theory, animal shelter health, animal disease, husbandry, and implementation and supervising of behavior modification and ethical animal welfare standards
• Experience with handling various breeds of dogs and cats and willing to build on existing behavior and training knowledge through professional development
• Excellent interpersonal skills to maintaining a positive relationship with all respective stakeholders from diverse backgrounds (customer service approach)
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to problem solve and address customer service concerns
• Strong presentation skills and supervisory experience are an asset
• Program and SOP creation experience an asset
• Ability to successfully provide training and support to volunteers and staff within the organization
• Ability to actively participate in creating a positive work environment built on LAPS core values
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines are required.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• The ability to remain pleasant and calm even in stressful situations.
• Physical strength and agility to handle excitable, large breed dogs.
• Must be able to lift heavy equipment and supplies up to 50 lbs
• Photography experience and knowledge of photo editing programs an asset

Education And Training

• Completion of Grade 12 supplemented with completion of courses in Animal Care
• Preferred qualification: KPA, CPDT-KA, CTC, IAABC Supporting Membership
• Fear free certification required
• Must pass Federal Security Screening and background check.
• Must have a valid Class 5 drivers License and clean drivers abstract

Hours Of Work

• 40 hours per week (evening and weekend work will be required based on operational needs)
• Workdays are 8 – 10 hours. Work schedules are flexible depending on operational need.

What LAPS Offers

• Salary Range: $50 – $65,000
• Paid 30-minute lunch breaks
• Medical, Dental and Extended Health
• Vacation and Wellness Days
• RRSP matching after 1-year employment
• Education opportunities
• Pet friendly environment
• Supportive work environment with opportunities for career growth
• The chance to positively impact the lives of both animals and people in the community

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00-$65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Dental care
• Discounted or free food
• Extended health care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Store discount
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Flexible language requirement:

• French not required

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Every Weekend

Education:

• Secondary School (preferred)

Experience:

• Animal Sheltering: 1 year (preferred)
• Animal Welfare: 1 year (required)
• Animal Training: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Certification is animal training? (required)

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 2025-04-15