Behavior Specialist

KANSAS HUMANE SOCIETY OF WICHITA INC•Wichita, KS

4d•$15 - $0•Onsite

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 behavior improvement plans—especially for animals whose behavioral concerns affect their adoption suitability—and consults with adopters about animals with advanced behavioral concerns. The specialist works with dogs, cats, small domestic mammals, and birds and contributes to animal handling, enrichment, training, shelter operations, and customer service.

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, make decisions independently, and remain flexible.
Customer-service skills and respect for the human-animal bond.
Ability to work with dogs, cats, small domestic mammals, birds, and other types of animals.
Ability to speak effectively and communicate clearly, read and interpret documents, and perform basic arithmetic.
Ability to perform the physical duties described, including animal handling and restraint, repetitive lifting and movement, and working on one’s feet.

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.
Work with team members to create behavior improvement plans for animals whose behavioral concerns prevent them from being safe adoption candidates.
Consult with Admissions about the adoptability of animals entering the shelter with advanced behavioral concerns.
Consult with owners considering surrender about behavior concerns and provide guidance to the Adoptions team and adopters about animals with behavioral concerns.
Provide timely, polite, and respectful service to internal and external customers; respond professionally to calls on the Behavior phone line.
Recognize and support staff and volunteers, and treat people entering the shelter as potential donors.
Assist with training volunteers in 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 and shelter processes to support efficient animal movement, and alert the Behavior & Enrichment supervisor or Shelter Operations Officer when animals are no longer maintaining behavioral health.
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 department members and other departments as needed.
Follow KHS safety policies and procedures.
Set up behavior areas and playgroups, assess shelter-space limitations and daily shelter needs, and support animal flow through the shelter.
Inventory and order supplies as needed and clean and sanitize department areas throughout the shelter.

Benefits

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
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program