Behavior Specialist
About The Position
The Behavior Specialist maintains and improves the mental and behavioral health of animals in the Kansas Humane Society’s care. The role develops and administers animal mental-care programs, creates behavioral improvement plans—particularly for animals whose behavioral concerns affect their adoption suitability—and consults with adopters and other teams about animals with advanced behavioral needs. The position also supports volunteers, foster families, staff training, customer service, shelter operations, and animal flow. The specialist is expected to cross-train and assist other departments as needed, follow safety procedures, prepare behavior areas and playgroups, maintain department spaces, and train to become a Certified Euthanasia Technician to provide euthanasia on a rotating basis when needed.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to exercise good judgment and make independent decisions with limited supervision.
- Ability to cope with physically and emotionally demanding work.
- Ability to work independently and in a group setting.
- Flexibility and customer-service skills.
- Respect for the human-animal bond.
- Ability to work with dogs, cats, small domestic mammals, birds, and other types of animals.
- Ability to communicate clearly, read and interpret documents, and perform basic arithmetic.
- Ability to speak effectively and hear average conversation.
- Ability to squat repeatedly, type regularly, and perform repetitive hand movements, firm grasping, and fine manipulation.
- Ability to lift up to 30 pounds above shoulder height and to restrain, carry, push, pull, or otherwise handle animals ranging from 5 to 150-plus pounds.
- Ability to stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, and crawl as needed.
Nice To Haves
- Previous animal-handling experience with dogs and cats.
Responsibilities
- Develop and administer programs that support the mental and behavioral health of animals in KHS’s care.
- Participate in canine playgroups, dog and cat training, and programs for fearful or aggressive animals.
- Collaborate with team members on behavior improvement plans for animals whose behavioral concerns affect their safety or adoption candidacy.
- Consult with Admissions about the adoptability of animals entering the shelter with advanced behavioral concerns.
- Consult with owners considering surrender and provide behavioral guidance to the Adoptions team and adopters.
- Provide timely, polite, and respectful customer service to internal and external customers; remain calm, flexible, and open to other perspectives.
- Respond professionally and promptly to calls on the Behavior phone line.
- Assist in training volunteers for behavior and enrichment programs, including Canine Courage and Feline Fortitude.
- Assist the Foster Department with training and consultations for foster families as needed.
- Monitor animals’ behavioral health and movement through shelter processes, and alert the Behavior & Enrichment supervisor or Shelter Operations Officer when an animal’s behavioral health declines.
- Participate in staff training and development, and assist HR and Management with animal behavior and handling training for staff and volunteers as needed.
- Train to become a Certified Euthanasia Technician and provide euthanasia on a rotating basis when needed.
- Cross-train and assist other department members and departments as needed.
- Follow KHS safety policies and procedures.
- Prepare behavior areas for scheduled needs, assess shelter-space limitations and daily shelter needs, set up playgroups, and support animal flow through the shelter.
- Inventory and order supplies as needed, and clean and sanitize department areas throughout the shelter according to animal-welfare best practices.
Benefits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
- Generous paid time off.
- 10 paid holidays per year.
- Paid time when closed for inclement weather.
- Comprehensive low-deductible health, pharmacy, and dental plans.
- Vision insurance plan.
- SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a generous company match.
- Pre-tax spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
- Discounted YMCA membership.
- Discounts on adoptions, retail store items, basic veterinary services and medicine, and pet food.
- Employee Assistance Program.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
High school or GED
