Behavior Enrichment Lead

Washington Humane Society•Washington, DC

7d•$43,000 - $45,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) is seeking a Behavior & Enrichment Lead to spearhead its animal behavior and enrichment initiatives. This role is crucial for ensuring the well-being, safety, and successful placement of shelter animals. The Lead will provide essential behavior support, training resources, and consultations to HRA's staff, volunteers, foster families, and the wider community, with the ultimate goal of reducing animal returns and relinquishments. Key responsibilities include overseeing daily animal care and behavior programs, supervising team members, conducting intake assessments, developing and delivering advanced volunteer training, and ensuring all behavior practices adhere to force-free, evidence-based methodologies.

Requirements

Strong knowledge of canine and feline behavior, body language, and enrichment strategies that support the physical and psychological well-being of shelter animals.
Familiarity with safe handling, restraint, and general animal care practices across multiple species.
Proficiency in behavior modification techniques using force-free, science-based methods.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including clear documentation and behavior reporting.
Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and conflict-resolution skills in a fast-paced, emotionally charged environment.
Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office, email, internet, and shelter software (e.g., PetPoint); ability to track and analyze program outcomes.
Ability to train, coach, and deliver educational content to staff, volunteers, and community members.
Ability to troubleshoot concerns and provide leadership support when supervisors/managers are unavailable.
Minimum 3–5 years of professional experience in animal welfare, sheltering, or training (direct shelter experience strongly preferred).
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and compassionate communication with staff, volunteers, and community members.
Strong interpersonal and customer-service skills; able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Reliability, integrity, punctuality, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Positive, proactive, and adaptable attitude in a high-stress, fast-paced environment.
Passion for HRA’s mission and for supporting animals and guardians without judgment or bias.
Ability to manage the emotional aspects of shelter work, including euthanasia decisions, in a professional manner.
Previous behavior experience in a shelter setting

Nice To Haves

Fear Free® Shelter Certification.
CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, IAABC credentials, or active pursuit of certification (e.g., IAABC Shelter Affiliate)

Responsibilities

Supervise/delegate animal care tasks to ensure effective completion within HRA SOP/Gs' and best practices
Provide and maintain an accurate euthanasia list and schedule for euthanasia to be performed in a timely manner.
Provide fosters, adopters, and community members with behavior support, training resources, and consultations to reduce returns and relinquishments.
Conduct regular revenue-generating behavioral consultations, as determined by the Chief of Operations
Conduct intake interviews for all canines, as well as felines with behavior concerns.
Coach and train new animal care staff through onboarding and ongoing professional development, providing guidance, feedback, and cross-training to strengthen knowledge of shelter operations, safe handling, enrichment, and behavior best practices for staff and advanced volunteer teams.
Develop, update, and facilitate advanced volunteer training programs and related protocols (e.g., Volunteer Behavior Assistants, Purple Level)
Design and provide enrichment and behavioral interventions for shelter animals (including requests for medication), especially higher-need cases (HLE, LOS, rapid deterioration) based on behavior and/or length of stay.
Design, implement, and evaluate daily enrichment and behavior programs (e.g. playgroups, interactive feeding, sensory garden, individualized, and generalized enrichment plans) for all eligible in-shelter animals.
Work alongside the Animal Care and Enrichment team in daily activities including cleaning, feeding, walking, and enrichment of all the animals in HRA’s care. Giving special attention to the animals in 15O housing space.
Continuously improve behavioral and enrichment programs based on data and best practices.
Ensuring timely reporting and addressing of all behavior concerns for in-shelter and foster animals
Ensure all pertinent behavior information on an animal is communicated accordingly, including clear documentation in PetPoint.
Observe and document unusual behavior, signs of illness and any injury of an animal daily.
Conduct daily department and weekly shelter rounds to ensure all behavior, handling, housing, and enrichment practices are force-free, evidence-based, and aligned with Fear Free® methods and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters
Communicate vital information to appropriate departments as needed, via protocols outlined in SOP/Gs'
Provide expert input on placement suitability (e.g. adoption, transport, foster, field trip, euthanasia)
Restrain, confine, and handle animals, including those who are ill, injured, quarantined, and aggressive, including during euthanasia procedures
Bathe or clean animals as needed.
Perform other duties and projects, as assigned
Develop and lead special projects for HRA, including continuing education initiatives and applied research to support professional growth and organizational advancement.