Animal Behavior Specialist

azhumane; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

HSA / FSA

Employee assistance

Life insurance

Short/Long-term disability

401(k) matching

PTO

Paid holidays

Continuing education

Vet discounts

Transit discounts

Wellness programs

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

The Arizona Humane Society is seeking a full-time Animal Behavior Specialist to join our Behavior Team at the Rob and Melani Walton Papago Park Campus and the Nina Mason Pulliam South Mountain Campus. You will apply Fear Free, positive reinforcement training to evaluate and modify animal behavior and support adoption decisions.

You will educate owners, adopters and staff, assist medical staff with treatment, and help train volunteers on handling and bite prevention while upholding the highest

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least 6 months of shelter experience or certification in animal training/behavior.
• Knowledge of operant and classical conditioning and how to apply it.

Responsibilities

• Conduct behavior evaluations and provide objective descriptions.
• Discuss pets' behavior with owners, adopters, staff and volunteers.
• Assist medical staff with treatment and direct animal flow in the behavior department.
• Train staff and volunteers on proper handling and bite prevention.

Skills

Positive reinforcement training

Canine/feline behavior

Communication

Customer service

Team collaboration

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma / GED

Shelter experience or animal behavior certification

Job description

Animal Behavior Specialist

The Arizona Humane Society is looking for a dedicated full-time Behavior Specialist to join our Behavior Team. This position will report to our state-of-the-art Rob and Melani Walton Papago Park Campus and our Nina Mason Pulliam South Mountain Campus. If you are a talented Animal Behavior professional who is passionate about executing a Fear Free positive reinforcement training philosophy.

Paws Up For Great Benefits!

• Competitive salary
• Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
• Health Savings Account and Flex Spending Account options
• Free Employee Assistance Program
• Free Life Insurance, Short Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) with employer contribution
• Generous PTO program
• Up to 8 paid holidays per year
• Continuing education, including employer Fear Free Certification
• Discounts on veterinary services
• Discounted bus and light rail passes
• Employee Wellness Plans and Activities
• Got student loans? Employment with AHS may qualify you for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program!

A Day in the Life:

As a Behavior Specialist, you will assist the operations of the Behavior team championing AHS' core values of innovation, compassion, and excellence. You will provide exceptional internal and external customer service as a member of a professional team that performs behavior evaluations, provides objective descriptions and makes disposition decisions, performs behavior modification and kennel enrichment. You will speak directly with owners, adopters, staff, and volunteers about the pet's behavior and suitability for adoption through AHS. You will assist medical staff with providing treatment and direct the flow of animals through the behavior department and maintain a healthy capacity of behavior animals. You will be an integral part of staff and volunteer training on appropriate handling and bite prevention.

Job Requirements:

• High school diploma/GED.
• At least 6 months of experience working in a shelter setting or certification in animal training or animal behavior.
• Understand all elements of Operant/Classical Conditioning and be able to apply those concepts appropriately.
• Understand and be able to interpret canine and feline body
• Use and promote a positive reinforcement, force-free training
• Willingness to learn, receptive to coaching and adaptable to
• Must be able to remain focused, calm and productive in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communicator with attention to external and internal customer service skills.

Work Environment / Physical Demands:

This position requires continuous standing, walking and kneeling, reaching, stooping and bending with little opportunity to sit down. This person must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. The position requires repetitive motion of the hand, wrist and elbow as well as good vision and hearing. Must be able to hear above the sound of the animals and be able to speak clearly and communicate well with employees and the public. This individual handles a high volume of animals, has a great deal of contact with all departments and works closely with co-workers; is exposed to poor ventilation, heat, cold, sudden temperature changes and wet quarters as well as noise, animal odors and dander as well as potentially dangerous, fast-moving animals.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Additional Information

The Arizona Humane Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a participant in the E-Verify program.