Behavior Technician

Humane Society Pikes Peak Region; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401K with employer matching

Paid time off

Dental and vision plans

Wellness programs

Volunteer training

Job summary

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is seeking a Behavioral Technician to evaluate canine and feline behavior, document body language, and provide enrichment and behavior support to animals in our care. This role helps guide adoption decisions and prepares behavioral notes to showcase pets to potential families.

Join a team dedicated to science-based decision making, compassionate sheltering, and collaborative care across departments, with regular on-site hours and opportunities to train

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least one year of professional animal handling experience.
• Knowledge of animal behavior and positive reinforcement preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate canine and feline behavior using objective, factual assessments.
• Interpret and document animal body language with accuracy and consistency.
• Provide behavior modification and enrichment to improve quality of life while animals are in our care.
• Conduct adoption consultations for animals with more complex behavior needs to help create successful matches.
• Prepare adoption profiles and behavioral notes that help pets shine.
• Train staff and volunteers on behavior handling techniques and shelter behavior programs.
• Support innovative behavior initiatives that improve adoption success and animal wellbeing.
• Collaborate with multiple departments to ensure outstanding care for every animal.
• Capture heartwarming stories and photos that showcase the incredible work happening every day at HSPPR.

Skills

Animal behavior knowledge

Objective observation

Documentation skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Shelter software

Volunteer coordination

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Behavior Technician

Help Animals Find Their Happily Ever After-One Behavior Assessment at a Time

Every wag, purr, tail flick, and curious glance tells a story. At the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR), we're looking for a compassionate, observant, and objective Behavior Technician to help us understand those stories and give every animal the best opportunity for a successful future.

If you're passionate about animal behavior, believe in science-based decision making, and want to make a lasting difference in the lives of shelter pets, this could be the perfect role for you.

Who We Are

At HSPPR, our mission is simple but powerful:

HSPPR offers compassionate care to animals, supports safe communities, and provides socially conscious sheltering.

Every member of our team plays an important role in creating brighter futures for animals and the people who love them.

What You'll Do

As a Behavior Technician, you'll be an advocate for the animals in our care by providing accurate, unbiased behavior assessments and behavior support that help guide life-changing decisions. Your expertise will directly contribute to improving animal welfare, increasing successful adoptions, and strengthening the bond between pets and their future families.

In this role, you'll:

• Evaluate canine and feline behavior using objective, factual assessments
• Interpret and document animal body language with accuracy and consistency
• Provide behavior modification and enrichment to improve quality of life while animals are in our care
• Conduct adoption consultations for animals with more complex behavior needs to help create successful matches
• Prepare adoption profiles and behavioral notes that help pets shine
• Train staff and volunteers on behavior handling techniques and shelter behavior programs
• Support innovative behavior initiatives that improve adoption success and animal wellbeing
• Collaborate with multiple departments to ensure outstanding care for every animal
• Capture heartwarming stories and photos that showcase the incredible work happening every day at HSPPR

This Role Is For You If You...

• Have a passion for understanding animal behavior-not just observing it.
• Can remain objective and make decisions based on facts, even when situations are emotionally challenging.
• Believe every animal deserves compassionate, humane treatment and the opportunity to succeed.
• Enjoy teaching others and sharing your knowledge with volunteers and teammates.
• Thrive in a collaborative environment where no two days are the same.
• Stay organized, communicate clearly, and enjoy solving problems.

What You Bring

We're looking for someone who has:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• At least one year of professional animal handling experience
• Knowledge of animal behavior, positive reinforcement principles, and temperament assessments (preferred)
• Strong communication and documentation skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• A positive attitude and collaborative mindset
• Experience working with volunteers is a plus
• Comfort using Microsoft Office and learning shelter software

The Work Environment

This is an active, hands-on position where you'll spend time both indoors and outdoors working with animals of all sizes and temperaments.

You'll regularly:

• Handle dogs and cats using humane restraint and safety equipment
• Lift up to 40 pounds
• Walk, stand, bend, kneel, and move throughout the shelter
• Work in varying weather conditions
• Be exposed to animal allergens, cleaning products, and shelter environments
• Help create a safe environment for staff, volunteers, visitors, and animals alike

Schedule

This is a full-time, on-site position.

Schedules may include:

• Sunday - Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm
• Five 8-hour shifts and will include regular weekend shifts
• Weekends
• Holidays
• Morning and evening shifts based on organizational needs

Why HSPPR?

Working at HSPPR means being part of a team that celebrates every adoption, every recovery, every second chance, and every life changed.

You'll work alongside dedicated professionals who are passionate about making our community a better place for both animals and people. Every assessment you perform, every training you provide, and every successful adoption you help facilitate has a meaningful impact.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're looking for more than just a job-and want a career where your knowledge of animal behavior helps save lives, strengthen families, and create brighter futures-we'd love to meet you.

Join the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region and help every animal tell their story.

** Applications open until Friday, October 2, 2026, or until position is filled **

In addition to competitive salaries, we offer comprehensive benefits to our full-time staff.

Benefits include:

Health Insurance ~~ 401K with employer matching up to 4% of salary ~~ Dental and vision Plans ~~ Supplemental Group Life Insurance ~~ Short and long term disability Insurance ~~ Paid time off ~~ Holidays ~~ Direct Deposit ~~ Personal Pet Perks ~~ Wellness Programs ~~ Paid Sabbatical after 5 years of employment

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this program, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.

Core Values Statements-

• Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect and compassion.
• Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.
• Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.
• Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.
• Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.
• Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.

As a condition of employment with HSPPR, you will be required to authorize HSPPR and ProScreening to conduct a background check before confirming an employment start date. The background check will include a criminal investigation, verification of citizenship/immigration status, and a motor vehicle record. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that any offers of employment will be contingent upon completion of the background check to the satisfaction of HSPPR.

In consideration of any offers of employment made as a result of your interest in this position, by applying for this position, you hereby waive any and all claims that you may have against HSPPR for invasion of privacy in respect to drug testing and background checks as listed above.