Canine Enrichment & Behavior Specialist

City of Columbia SC; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Dental

Vision

Retirement

Deferred compensation plans

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance

Long-term disability

Holidays

Vacation

Sick leave

Job summary

The City of Columbia is seeking a Behavior and Enrichment Coordinator to lead and implement behavioral plans and enrichment programs for shelter dogs. You will assess dogs, coordinate daily play groups, train kennel staff and volunteers, and partner with staff to place dogs in foster or adoption as appropriate.

This full-time role requires a year of shelter or related experience, a dog-training background, and a valid SC driver’s license.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• One year of experience in an animal shelter or related environment.
• One year professional dog training or shelter behavior/enrichment team experience.
• Experience with organized dog playgroups, preferably with the “Dogs Playing for Life” model.
• Valid SC Class D Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Communicates with management to create, update, and implement behavioral protocols for individual animals.
• Assists with training of kennel staff, primarily in regards to animal handling and enrichment.
• Assists with training of new volunteers interested in participating in our behavior and enrichment programs.
• Identifies dogs that could benefit from alternative placement planning, such as rescue and foster, as opposed to adoption.
• Coordinates and oversee daily play groups for out-of-kennel enrichment opportunities.
• Observes, identifies, and immediately addresses animals showing signs of kennel stress and/or behavioral decline.

Skills

Dog training

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Valid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License

Job description

The City of Columbia is seeking a Behavior and Enrichment Coordinator to lead and implement behavioral plans and enrichment programs for shelter dogs. You will assess dogs, coordinate daily play groups, train kennel staff and volunteers, and partner with staff to place dogs in foster or adoption as appropriate.

This full-time role requires a year of shelter or related experience, a dog-training background, and a valid SC driver’s license.