Pet Trainer I at NVA Purcellville, VA

NVA; Purcellville (VA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k with employer match

Paid time off

Job summary

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) seeks a Canine Behavior & Training Specialist to lead curriculum-based group classes and private sessions, helping pet parents improve bonding and communication with their dogs.

The role emphasizes applying learning theory, developing compassionate client guidance, and maintaining a safe, low-stress training environment while staying current with industry standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of professional canine training or animal behavior experience.
• Strong foundational understanding of operant conditioning, classical conditioning, and modern reinforcement-based training techniques.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to translate complex behavioral concepts into accessible instruction for clients.
• Proven ability to manage a variety of canine personalities and client needs with professionalism and composure.

Responsibilities

• Instructional Leadership: Facilitate engaging, curriculum-based group classes and customized individual training sessions for diverse breeds and temperaments.
• Behavioral Advocacy: Educate clients on canine behavior using learning theory and promote patience and realistic expectations.
• Safety & Environment Management: Maintain a low-stress training environment and manage group dynamics for comfort of pets and owners.
• Client Engagement: Act as a professional consultant for pet parents, providing actionable feedback and demonstrating training techniques that foster long-term bonding.
• Continuous Development: Participate in ongoing on-the-job training to stay current with industry standards and evidence-based training methodologies.

Skills

Operant conditioning

Classical conditioning

Reinforcement-based training

Communication

Adaptability

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Canine Behavior & Training Specialist to join our team. This role is designed for a professional who integrates advanced learning theory with a hands-on, empathetic approach to pet education. You will be responsible for facilitating both group curricula and private instructional sessions, serving as a primary resource for pet parents seeking to enhance their bond and communication with their dogs.

Key Responsibilities

• Instructional Leadership: Facilitate engaging, curriculum-based group classes and customized individual training sessions for a diverse range of breeds, ages, and temperaments.
• Behavioral Advocacy: Utilize comprehensive knowledge of learning theory to educate clients on canine behavior, promoting patience and realistic expectations throughout the developmental process.
• Safety & Environment Management: Maintain a secure and low-stress training environment, proactively managing group dynamics to ensure the comfort of both pets and their owners.
• Client Engagement: Act as a professional consultant for pet parents, providing actionable feedback and demonstrating training techniques that foster long-term success and bonding.
• Continuous Development: Participate in ongoing on-the-job training to stay current with evolving industry standards and evidence-based training methodologies.

Professional Qualifications

• Experience: A minimum of one year of professional, job-related experience in canine training or animal behavior is required.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong foundational understanding of operant conditioning, classical conditioning, and modern reinforcement-based training techniques.
• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to translate complex behavioral concepts into accessible, encouraging instruction for clients.
• Adaptability: Proven ability to manage a variety of canine personalities and client needs with professionalism and composure.

Our Commitment

We provide a collaborative professional environment where expertise is respected and pet welfare is the cornerstone of our mission. This position offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of pets and the families who love them.

National Veterinary Associates (NVA) is a leading North American pet health care company with nearly 1,300 locations spanning general practice veterinary hospitals, Ethos emergency and specialty hospitals, and pet resorts and equine veterinary care. With approximately 40,000 team members, we care for pets and support pet families in communities across the United States and Canada. Our purpose is to give pets and the people who love them more quality years together, and our mission is to make care more personal, easy and accessible while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life. Across NVA, we support our teams with the resources, expertise and opportunities they need to deliver exceptional care and help shape the future of veterinary and pet care.

Purpose

Give pets and the people who love them more quality years together

Mission

Transform the pet family experience to be personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine and care across every stage of life.

Values

Care Deeply, Do What's Right, One Team, Own It, Shape What's Next

One NVA: Bringing General Practice & Ethos Together

NVA is built to make care personal, easy and accessible, while advancing medicine across every stage of a pet's life.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• a 401k with employer match
• paid time off (including sick time)

The team can provide more information about compensation and benefits for your specific location during the process.

For positions based in Colorado, NVA provides eligible employees with paid sick and safe leave and public health emergency leave in accordance with the requirements of Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

NVA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with the applicable regulation.