Behavioral Specialist

CareAbout; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k)/RRSP with Employer Match

Paid Vacation and Holidays

Paid Sick and Bereavement Leave

Employee Assistance & Telehealth

Job summary

Altasciences in California is seeking an experienced Behavioral Specialist to support veterinarians, study directors, and clients by conducting animal behavior activities focused on enrichment, socialization, and assessments.

The role includes staff training, documentation, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to manage environmental enrichment programs and behavior protocols across studies.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with a wide variety of personnel.
• Experience with NHP in a research setting is preferred.
• LATg certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintains databases and program descriptions to meet USDA requirements.
• Cooperate with study staff to enhance study procedures through socialization, enrichment, and training.
• Documents compliance with environmental enhancement SOP.
• Assists with training of staff on enrichment, behavioral, and socialization SOPs.
• Prepares, distributes, and maintains enrichment items for animals.
• Oversees socialization program, including determination of suitable social partners and socializations with documentation.
• Assists with colony data per USDA requirements and company policies.
• Attends company, association, and client meetings as needed.
• Procurement, replacement, and inventory of enrichment devices and treats.
• Performs behavioral observations/assessments and provides treatments per individual plans.
• Provides operant conditioning training to animals when necessary.
• Ensures safe implementation and management of the environmental enrichment program.
• Assists with SOPs and forms development and revision.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

LATg certification (AALAS) preferred

Job description

About the Role

This is an advanced level position and works under minimal supervision. This position will provide staff training. The Behavioral Specialist performs various duties to facilitate and support the work and research of the Veterinarians, Study Directors, and clients by completing a variety of animal behavior activities in the areas of enrichment, socialization, and behavioral assessments. As a team, the behavioral staff is responsible for the treatment of all on-site behavioral abnormalities present in animals and for the fulfillment of the preventive program.

What You’ll Do Here

• Maintains databases and program descriptions to meet USDA requirements.
• Cooperate with study staff to enhance study procedures through socialization, enrichment, and training.
• Documents compliance with environmental enhancement standard operating procedures (SOP).
• Assists with training of staff on enrichment, behavioral, and socialization SOPs.
• Prepares, distributes, and maintains enrichment items for animals.
• Oversees socialization program, including determination of suitable social partners and performs animal socializations (i.e. pairs or groups) and completes related documentation.
• Assists with colony data (paper and electronic) as per USDA requirements and company policies.
• May attend and participate in company, association, and client meetings.
• Procurement, replacement, and inventory of enrichment devices and treats.
• Performs behavioral observations/assessments.
• Provides behavioral treatments per individual treatment plans.
• Provides operant conditioning training to animals when necessary.
• Ensure safe implementation, documentation, and management of the environmental enhancement program, depending on site.
• Assists with developing, reviewing, and revising environmental enrichment, behavioral assessment, and socialization SOPs and forms.
• Assists with developing and evaluating new enrichment items or methods.

What You Need to Succeed

• High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience with NHP in a research setting and 1 year NHP training/socializing.
• CRO and breeding management experience preferred.
• AALAS Certification at the LATg level preferred.
• Ability to effectively comprehend and communicate (verbal and written) in a professional manner.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with a wide variety of personnel.

What We Offer

The hourly range estimated for this position is $26.00 - $43.00. Please note that salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, prior relevant experience, skills, education, certification, location as well as internal equity and market data. Altasciences offers a wide variety of benefits to help our employees live healthy and fulfilling lives both at and outside of work.

Altasciences’ Benefits Package Includes:

• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
• 401(k)/RRSP with Employer Match
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• Paid Sick and Bereavement Leave
• Employee Assistance & Telehealth Programs

Altasciences’ Incentive Programs Include:

• Training & Development Programs
• Employee Referral Bonus Program

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