Methuen Adoption Center - Behavior Specialist

MSPCA-Angell Careers • Methuen, MA

1d • $22 - $26 • Onsite

About The Position

We have an exciting opportunity at our Methuen Animal Care and Adoption Center for an Behavior Specialist . The Behavior Specialist will work closely with our shelter team to ensure the behavioral wellbeing of animals in our adoption center. This position plays a vital role in supporting animal welfare, increasing adoptability, and setting both animals and adopters up for long-term success.

Requirements

• High School Diploma required
• Fear Free Certification within 6 months or hire or promotion date.
• A valid driver's license and the ability to drive a MSPCA vehicle.
• Exceptional people skills and the ability to converse compassionately without judgement with people under difficult and stressful circumstances, including the public, coworkers and volunteers.
• Physically able to work with and walk large breed, high arousal and sometimes aggressive or fearful dogs in variant temperatures and weather including extreme heat, extreme cold and inclement weather
• Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast paced, high stress environment.

Responsibilities

• Working directly with several species of animals (primarily dogs and cats) to develop and implement individualized behavior modification and enrichment plans
• Supporting intake processes by reviewing behavioral histories and conducting evaluations
• Participating in euthanasia discussions and decision-making
• Providing hands-on training and guidance to staff and volunteers on low-stress handling, body language, behavior plans, and safe animal interactions
• Assisting with dog playgroups, socialization, and targeted interventions for animals experiencing more significant behavioral challenges
• Supporting successful adoptions through pre-adoption counseling with families on best training practices as well as post-adoption guidance
• Collaborate cross-departmentally with adoption, medical, foster, law enforcement, and outreach teams to ensure continuity of behavioral care

Benefits

• health, dental and life insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• tuition reimbursement
• paid holidays, sick, and vacation time
• employee discounts for pet health care
• free on-site parking

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED