Clinical Animal Behavior Coordinator

Virginia Tech School of Animal Sciences; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Tech School of Animal Sciences seeks a Clinical Animal Behavior Coordinator to lead clinical behavior services for owners and their pets, mentor students, and help develop a research line on companion animal behavior, training, and welfare.

The role includes consulting with owners, training sessions, classroom and experiential learning for undergraduates and graduates, and community outreach to disseminate evidence-based practices, while collaborating with veterinarians, trainers,

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Animal Behavior, Biology, Psychology, Veterinary Science or related field.
• Experience providing companion animal consultation and training services and conducting applied animal research.
• Mentorship of undergraduates and/or graduate students; Evidence of instructional abilities with undergraduate and/or graduate students.
• Strong organizational and collaborative skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical animal behavior services to owners and their pets, including consultations and training sessions (60%).
• Mentor and train students in clinical animal behavior (15%).
• Help create, assemble and deliver companion animal behavior curriculum (15%).
• Conduct research related to companion animal behavior, particularly problematic behaviors (10%).

Skills

Mentorship

Instructional abilities

Collaborative skills

Organizational skills

Education

Master’s or PhD in Animal Behavior, Biology, Psychology, Veterinary Science or related field

Job description

• Blacksburg, Virginia

Clinical Animal Behavior Coordinator

The School of Animal Sciences (SAS) at Virginia Tech is searching for a coordinator to lead in the provision of clinical animal behavior services with owners and their pets, mentor students in this service, and assist in the development of a research line that would include but not be limited to the study of companion animal behavior, training, and welfare.

The coordinator in this position will be expected to provide behavior consultation and training services to owners and their pets; provide classroom and experiential learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students; and carry out research that explore companion animal problem behaviors as informed by the clinical service. This position will be involved in community outreach through the provision and dissemination of evidence-based practices as well as collaborating with veterinarians, animal trainers, and other industry professionals.

As such, applicants must have a strong understanding of learning theory/behavior analysis and its application with companion animals, a robust comprehension of applied animal research, and awareness of relevant issues in the field of companion animal behavior and welfare.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical animal behavior services to owners and their pets, including consultations and training sessions (60%)
• Mentor and train students in clinical animal behavior (15%)
• Help create, assemble and deliver companion animal behavior curriculum (15%)
• Conduct research related to companion animal behavior, particularly problematic behaviors (10%)

Required Qualifications

Master’s or PhD in Animal Behavior, Biology, Psychology, Veterinary Science or related field; Experience providing companion animal consultation and training services and conducting applied animal research; Mentorship of undergraduates and/or graduate students; Evidence of instructional abilities with undergraduate and/or graduate students. Strong organizational and collaborative skills

Preferred Qualifications

Expertise in addressing complex companion animal behavior problems (e.g., fear, anxiety, and aggression); Experience carrying out companion animal behavioral and/or welfare research; Interest in wearable animal technologies for collection of physiological data.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

08/23/2026

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands‑on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem‑solvers. A comprehensive land‑grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College.

The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Lisa Gunter at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.