Shelter Behavior Associate

Aspcapro; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 54,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable health coverage

401(k) with employer contributions

Paid holidays and leave

Professional development

Job summary

ASPCA's Cruelty Recovery Center in Columbus, OH is seeking a Shelter Behavior Associate to begin with a 10‑week Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship and grow into a Behavior Specialist.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team to modify behaviors, train staff and volunteers, and support field deployments, with travel up to 20% and a strong commitment to animal welfare.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; BS in animal behavior preferred.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with shelter animals is preferred.
• Willingness to travel up to 10 days at a time for SBA.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily treatment sessions and record data in shelter database.
• Provide hands-on coaching for CRC staff and volunteers.
• Deploy to field shelters to support behavior teams.
• Assist with behavior evaluations and plan development.

Skills

Animal handling

Communication skills

Coaching/teaching

Data collection

Education

High School Diploma or GED

BS in animal behavior or related field

Job description

Summary

Are you interested in companion animal behavior and want to learn more about providing high‑quality care while optimizing welfare for animals in need? Do you thrive in a dynamic and complex environment, where colleagues from all skill levels work together to continually advance the animal behavior field? If so, the role of Behavior Associate at the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) might be right for you!

Who We Are

The CRC, located in Columbus, OH, is part of the Rehabilitation Services Group, which also includes the Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) in Weaverville, NC, and the Recovery and Rehabilitation Center (R&R) in Pawling, NY. All three facilities provide opportunities for animals to heal after rescue. As they engage in hands‑on care, teams prioritize the elevation of our work through ongoing learning, advancing the animal welfare field through research, developing effective, efficient interventions, establishing new best practices and sharing innovations with other organizations nationwide through the ASPCA’s Learning Lab, ASPCApro, publications, and professional and academic conferences. At the CRC, a dedicated team of sheltering, veterinary and animal behavior staff work together to serve animals rescued in ASPCA national cruelty cases and disaster responses.

What You’ll Do

The Shelter Behavior Associate role at the CRC offers a unique opportunity to jump‑start or accelerate your career as a shelter behavior expert. The role starts off with an intensive, 10‑week paid training program called the Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship (SBA). The only program of its kind, the SBA provides a deep dive into the science of animal behavior, coached hands‑on learning, and critical knowledge about how to apply behavior expertise in a shelter environment. Following completion of the SBA, graduates join their team as Shelter Behavior Associates and continue to develop their skills, guided by their managers. Behavior Associates who consistently demonstrate strong shelter behavior knowledge and skills, and collaborate effectively within and across teams, typically move into the role of Behavior Specialist after approximately one year of on‑the‑job training. The Specialist role includes additional responsibilities, including coaching and teaching other team members, visiting learners from other organizations and volunteers, crafting behavior modification plans, and doing more advanced behavior rehabilitation work.

Ideal candidates for Behavior Associate will have a keen interest in the science of animal behavior, a passion for animal welfare, and exceptional people skills.

The Behavior Associate reports directly to the Senior Manager, Shelter Animal Behavior and has no direct reports.

Where and When You’ll Work

• This position reports to the CRC in Columbus, OH.
• This position requires completion of the Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship which combines online and hands‑on learning, and requires travel (more information is listed below).
• Schedule may include one weekend day, and available to work a flexible schedule when needed including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time, as needed, is required for this position.

What You’ll Get

Compensation

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

• The target hiring range for the initial Behavior Associate role is $25.95 - $27.40
• The target range for promotion to Behavior Specialist is $28.80 - $31.02

Benefits

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer‑paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on‑the‑job training, coaching and mentorship with industry‑leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more.

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

Responsibilities

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance. They include, but are not limited to:

Shelter Behavior Associate Job Responsibilities

Behavior Modification, Behavior Assessment, Animal Handling & Data Collection

• Conduct daily treatment sessions: perform behavior modification protocols and record data after each session using the CRC behavior database
• Collect data to track an animal’s behavioral progress
• Monitor the behavioral health of animals
• Communicate observations and concerns to the Behavior Manager(s) and make recommendations to support treatment progress and outcome decisions during weekly meetings
• Perform behavior evaluations and re‑evaluations of CRC animals
• Assist, as needed, with the handling and movement of animals during cleaning, intake, exercise, grooming, exams and humane euthanasia
• Provide socialization with people and/or other animals
• Provide extra enrichment for designated animals
• Conduct dog play groups and record data after each session
• Assist with the collection and organization of footage for video library
• Adhere to all protocols set forth by the ASPCA, including behavior modification and training procedures, enrichment, animal handling, as well as general medical and sheltering protocols

Coaching, Consultation & Behavior Support

• Participate in continuing education to develop coaching and consultation skills to be able to:
• Provide hands‑on coaching for CRC Care and Enrichment Technicians, visitors, interns, associates, and professionals from other organizations
• Provide follow‑up support for placement partner organizations and adopters
• Help facilitate animal introductions to foster parents and, when appropriate, potential adopters
• Participate in Learning Lab collaborative teaching modules
• Monitor the activities of volunteers interacting with CRC dogs and provide basic guidance/coaching as assigned/appropriate
• As assigned, serve in a shadowing role during Learning Lab collaborative teaching modules to prepare for future participation as a subject matter expert
• Produce draft behavior‑related paperwork for placement partners or other purposes as assigned

Deployment & Travel/Transport

• Deploy as needed to provide behavior support in temporary field shelters and to support Behavioral Sciences Team (BST) field work (handling for animal removal, performing forensic behavior evaluations)
• Transport animals to and from the field or the CRC as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

Behavior Specialist Responsibilities

Behavior Specialists perform responsibilities of Behavior Associates as well as the following:

Behavior Modification, Behavior Assessment, Animal Handling & Data Collection

• Assist, as needed, with animal housing and kennel design improvement planning
• Provide human and/or conspecific socialization for specified animals

Coaching, Consultation & Behavior Support

• Lead internal group dog training classes
• Serve as a subject matter expert during Learning Lab modules for partner organizations as assigned
• Give media interviews via email, via phone and on camera as needed

Deployment & Travel/Transport

• Understand Incident Command System (ICS) and adhere to chain of command
• Provide behavior support at ASPCA temporary shelters, conducting playgroups, performing behavior evaluations as needed, and monitoring behavioral health of animals

Qualifications

• Demonstrates natural skill when handling animals (e.g., intuitively adjusts movement and position based on animals’ behavior, can safely walk dogs on‑leash)
• Basic understanding of animal learning, training and behavior modification preferred
• Animal welfare knowledge preferred
• Good low‑stress animal handing and restraint skills preferred
• Able to provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low‑stress handling techniques
• Displays care and concern for the safety and well‑being of self, animals and others, especially during stressful situations
• Must feel comfortable contributing behavior observations and consultative input to help a panel make humane euthanasia decisions; must feel comfortable handling animals for humane euthanasia procedures
• Must feel comfortable working with animals who are victims of cruelty, neglect and disasters
• Good team player; a “people person” who enjoys collaboration
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Superior problem‑solving abilities; likes to troubleshoot and find solutions when facing challenges
• Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, potentially stressful environment; Must be flexible and easily adapt to frequent changes to plans/protocols
• Good organizational skills; Meticulous data collection and reporting skills
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Able to work standing for 8 or more hours and bend, crouch, kneel and move freely to perform responsibilities that include handling potentially dangerous animals in stressful conditions
• Able to occasionally work in physically challenging conditions and able to wear appropriate protective gear, including a protective mask; job responsibilities may entail exposure to chemical and biological hazards, such as feces and blood, exposure to sharp objects, working in noisy environments and working in areas with uneven, wet and slippery surfaces
• Fluent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiarity with SalesForce a plus
• Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history
• Must feel comfortable seeing animals suffering from extreme fear and anxiety on a daily basis; must feel comfortable participating in humane euthanasia procedures for behaviorally unhealthy animals
• In Specialist role, must be able and willing to travel for up to 10 days at a time, sometimes on short notice
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies.

Education and Work Experience

• High school diploma or GED required; BS in animal behavior field (animal behavior/cognition, experimental psychology, zoology, or animal science) preferred
• Minimum of 6 months’ doing hands‑on work with dogs as an employee or volunteer required
• Experience handling and working with cats in some capacity, as an employee or volunteer strongly preferred
• Experience working in an animal shelter strongly preferred
• Low‑Stress Handling® University Silver‑Level certification is required within six months of hire
• Disaster Sheltering and FEMA Incident Command System courses (100, 200, 700, 800) is required within 6 months of hire
• Must complete the Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship program required dates

Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship Requirements

• Actively participate in shelter behavior online, classroom and hands‑on experiential learning activities throughout the Apprenticeship
• Practice application of acquired skills and knowledge in a busy animal shelter setting, with coaching and supervision by Apprenticeship staff
• Perform basic handling of dogs and cats under the supervision of Apprenticeship staff
• Demonstrate acquired knowledge and skills via periodic, practical learner assessments throughout the Apprenticeship to assist Instructors in providing personalized coaching
• Assist ASPCA facility staff as necessary, providing care for animals participating in Apprenticeship activities (e.g., cleaning, feeding, providing enrichment/exercise)
• Provide periodic, practical feedback on the experience, activities, content and flow of the Apprenticeship to help inform program improvement and iteration
• Travel for up to 3 weeks at a time for learning activities at ASPCA facilities (all associated costs covered by the ASPCA)
• Shelter Behavior Associates must complete the SBA program within 1 year of hire. SBA dates for this role are below (subject to change):
• Learning Theory (February 10-11 Remote & February 15-19 in New York, NY)
• Canine Essentials (March 10-11 Remote & March 15-26 in Methuen, MA)
• Canine Arousal (April 14-15 Remote & April 18-24 in Pawling, NY)
• Playgroup (May 12-13 Remote & May 16-22 in Pawling, NY)
• Feline Essentials (Q4 2027, exact dates TBD)
• Shy & Fearful Canines (Q4 2027, exact dates TBD)
• While not participating in SBA program, Associates will have regular work schedules at the CRC in Columbus, OH

Language

English (Required)

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About Us

The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not‑for‑profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full‑service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on‑the‑ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Our EEO Policy

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Applicant Notices

Applicants have rights under federal employment laws: Equal Employment Opportunity; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA); Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Candidates residing in CA, CO, Flagstaff (AZ), IL, IN, Los Angeles (CA), Los Angeles County (CA), MA, ME, ND, NJ, NM, NYC, OR, Philadelphia (PA), RI, San Francisco (CA), TN, and WI should click here for additional information about general applicant notices.