Animal Behaviour Specialist

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA)•Duncan, BC

3d•CA$50,400 - CA$62,955•Onsite

About The Position

The BC SPCA is seeking an Animal Behaviour Specialist to provide direct behavioural care and support to animals at the Vancouver Island Animal Behaviour Centre (VIABC) and in foster homes. This role involves delivering staff and volunteer training, offering behavioural counseling, and ensuring adherence to BC SPCA Adoptability Guidelines. The specialist will collaborate with Centre care teams, support foster and adoption placements, and act as a behavioural subject matter expert to minimize safety risks, prevent resource inefficiency, and enhance adoption success. The position is permanent and full-time, working 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with benefits. The closing date for applications is June 28, 2026.

Requirements

Completion of a recognized education or professional certification in animal training or behaviour that is grounded in science-based, reward-based methods, consistent with the BC SPCA AnimalKind Training Standards (e.g., CTC, KPA-CTP), plus a minimum of three (3) years’ related experience; or a combination of education and experience acceptable to the Employer.
Relevant experience includes working in a shelter environment, specifically with behaviour assessments and treatment plans.
Relevant experience includes tracking, analyzing and reporting on data.
Relevant experience includes providing outstanding service to interested parties.
Relevant experience includes positive reinforcement-based animal training.
Relevant experience includes teaching and mentoring adults.
Genuine compassion for animals, knowledge of the Five Domains/Five Freedoms, Canadian Standards of Care and Low Stress Handling.
Excellent computer skills in Windows, MS Office and online meeting software; knowledge of Shelter Buddy is considered an asset.
Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing deadlines and multiple priorities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to respectfully relate to a diverse audience.
Excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail.
Able to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively as a member of a team.
In-depth knowledge of health and safety principles and protocols as it relates to animal handling and demonstrated ability to follow them.
Must be able to travel to Animal Centres from time-to-time, as required.
Must have a valid Class 5 BC driver’s license.
Working knowledge of the concepts of equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation.
Philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA mission, vision, values, and strategic directions.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Shelter Buddy is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Provide behavioural support to animals in centre and in foster through VIABC and the region, including setting up environments that support behaviour management and modification.
Conduct daily behaviour rounds and attend meetings to monitor animal progress and uphold standards of care.
Assess animals using Behaviour Program Assessment when behaviour concerns are identified by staff.
Implement BC SPCA standard behaviour modification and training plans for animals in care.
Identify animals not coping or adapting in care and work with internal and external veterinarians to rule out medical concerns and assist with behaviour treatment plans.
Use the DTA IV tool to assess all dogs coming into care if not completed prior to entry.
Monitor behaviour treatment plans and progress, meeting with the Manager, Behaviour & Welfare weekly or biweekly to review progress.
Provide support and guidance to staff/volunteers to ensure the low-stress handling of all centre animals.
Oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of enrichment activities.
Provide behavioural support and resources to pet guardians to help address challenges and prevent animal surrender.
Screen adoption matching questionnaires and provide behaviour-specific adoption counseling.
Provide adopters with appropriate pre- and post-adoption support in the form of written materials, phone and in-person consultations.
Provide training and support for behaviour-foster homes.
Assist the Centre Manager in developing and maintaining a database with approved behaviour resources for the centre and region.
Participate in Large Scale Animal Intakes (LSAI) onsite, providing support, recommendations and assistance with intake and daily care to meet behaviour and welfare needs.
Maintain clear communication with staff and volunteers regarding day-to-day behaviour program duties and tasks.
Provide guidance and support to Animal Care Attendants and volunteers, ensuring adherence to the behaviour program, daily activities, protocols and policies.
Coach and support volunteers in the achievement of the behaviour program goals and delegate behaviour-related tasks as needed.
Assist with the recruitment, selection, scheduling and support of volunteers in the behaviour program utilizing Better Impact and in collaboration with Volunteer Resources and local Volunteer Leads.
Follow ShelterSense protocols to ensure optimal welfare standards are met.
Train staff and volunteers to monitor and deliver behaviour treatment where appropriate.
Participate in DogSense Training programs with the goal of assisting with delivery of these programs within the assigned region in future.
Assist the Manager, Behaviour and Welfare with onsite training relating to ShelterSense systems, animal handling, and all animal related behaviour policies and protocols.
Travel to BC SPCA Centres, especially those on Vancouver Island, to provide staff training and behaviour support as needed for individual animals or LSAIs as required.
Build relationships with Community Animal Centre teams to create strong communication flow and remove pathway barriers.
Communicate with veterinarians reviewing clinical cases, under the direction of the Manager, Behaviour and Welfare.
Work closely with veterinarians to rule out or treat any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to behavioral concerns and potentially incorporating anxiety-reducing medication into an integrated treatment plan when necessary.
Collaborate with community AnimalKind trainers and veterinarians regarding the special needs of VIABC adoptees.
Collaborate with academic institutions and animal welfare organizations as required.
Collaborate with Volunteer Resources and Centre Manager on ways to effectively develop, involve, and maintain a robust volunteer program at VIABC.
Maintain Behaviour Program Tracker, recording all animals participating in the behaviour program, treatments and outcomes.
Generate ShelterBuddy and Behaviour Program reports, as required.