Animal Behavior Evaluator - Part-Time

Salt Lake County•Salt Lake City, UT

About The Position

Conducts animal behavior assessments for shelter animals and identifies behavior concerns. Mitigates animal stress through daily enrichment, behavior modification, and training to improve adoptability. Mentors and trains staff and volunteers on shelter behavior protocols, and provides behavior-related information and consultation to potential adopters and fosters. This role works in an animal shelter that houses temperamental and dangerous animals. Employees should expect regular contact with animals that may bite, kick, or scratch, as well as exposure to loud noises, unpleasant odors, chemicals, cleaning agents, soaps, diseased animals, fur, pet dander, and zoonotic diseases. The position includes intermittent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of loads up to 50 pounds, and standing or walking for more than four hours per day. Employees routinely bend, kneel, and stoop. The successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enroll in the continuous RAP Back program. A verified negative drug test is required before starting, and the position is subject to random alcohol and drug testing and may be subject to post-accident and reasonable-suspicion testing.

Requirements

One year of experience in a customer service environment.
Receive a verified negative drug test result before starting in the position.
Knowledge of animal behavior assessment, behavior modification, and training techniques and methods.
Knowledge of feline and canine body language and behavior.
Knowledge of causes and symptoms of aggression and safe handling of aggressive animals.
Knowledge of feline and canine breeds and genetic behavioral traits.
Knowledge of animal-person compatibility techniques and methods.
Knowledge of animal handling safety rules, procedures, and proper handling techniques.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally verbally and in writing.
Ability to create a supportive and positive learning environment.
Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection-control standards.
Ability to cope with compassion fatigue and animal euthanasia when deemed appropriate.
Pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enroll in the continuous RAP Back program.
Lift, carry, push, and pull loads up to 50 pounds intermittently; stand and/or walk for more than four hours per day; routinely bend, kneel, and stoop.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience working with small domestic animals, livestock, and exotic animals.

Responsibilities

Conduct behavioral assessments of impounded dogs according to shelter protocol and identify concerning behavior.
Create behavior modification and training plans for dogs with behavioral challenges, and follow up with staff and volunteers to ensure plans are implemented correctly.
Ensure daily enrichment is provided for all animals in the shelter.
Instruct adopters, fosters, shelter staff, and community volunteers to increase awareness and recognition of inappropriate dog behavior.
Consult with staff to evaluate behavior modification, shelter training, and enrichment protocols and help modify them as needed.
Track and maintain detailed documentation of assessments, behavior modification and training plans, and animal progress in the shelter database.
Contact and consult with volunteer trainers and behaviorists about problem behaviors and possible solutions.
Observe, assess, and record animal symptoms, reactions, and progress, and work with individual animals to improve behavior.
Compile instructional materials and prepare educational literature about behavior programs and training for adopters.
Assist staff in maintaining a clean and professional environment and properly administering or restraining animals for vaccinations, microchips, and other procedures.
Ensure outdoor play yards and equipment are clean, disinfected, and appropriately maintained.
Follow shelter protocol for making animals available for adoption and facilitate suitable adoption matches by talking with adopters and setting realistic expectations.