Canine Behavior & Enrichment Supervisor

ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL OF NYC • New York, NY

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisor oversees Bronx's Animal Care Center’s canine enrichment program, including daily playgroups, canine behavior assessments, socialization, and environmental enrichment, with a goal of meeting the behavioral needs of the full canine population at Animal Care Centers (ACC) and facilitating adoption matches. This position directly supervises five (5) canine behavior team members. The Supervisor is expected to act as a leader for the team in work ethic, efficiency and attitude both within the team and when interacting with other staff and volunteers.

Requirements

• High school diploma required.
• Equivalent of three (3) years’ experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience working in the area of development and management of animal training programs, shelter experience required.
• Experience conducting playgroups and training staff to oversee playgroups.
• Previous supervisory experience is required.
• Must be able to handle all types and breeds of dogs with varying behaviors and energy levels, including those showing fearful and aggressive behaviors.
• Solid knowledge of dog behavior and general training principles based on experience compatible with ACC goals and philosophy.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50lbs.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Ability to make sound judgments and work independently in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Ability to foster a cooperative, encouraging and positive work environment with staff as well as volunteers.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• The ability to remain pleasant, calm and objective in all situations.

Responsibilities

• Directly supervise the Enrichment Coordinator, Canine Behavior Assessor, and Canine Behavior Specialists. This includes, but is not limited to, setting their work schedule; providing training, resources and support; establishing goals and objectives; and providing frequent feedback regarding their work performance.
• Complete incident reports, post-incident team debriefs, consistent team meetings, and conflict resolution as needed.
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry. Maintain and report statistics that accurately reflect the effectiveness of enrichment and behavior programs and use that data to seek ways to increase effectiveness.
• Monitor all dogs in ACC’s care to maintain optimal behavioral care and to promptly address dogs needing pre-assessment socialization.
• Monitor behavior changes, add notes to Shelter Buddy records, and adjust overall behavior determinations as appropriate.
• Develop and explore new enrichment ideas and programs.
• Work with Behavior and Animal Care staff to maintain the animal's mental health and improve the dog’s social skills.
• Determine daily tasks and assignments for the Enrichment team, including written records of daily enrichment.
• In conjunction with the overall enrichment plan, utilize positive reinforcement to build positive associations in the care center and to reward desired behaviors in order to improve adoption potential.
• Coordinate and prioritize enrichment for dogs unable to participate in playgroup.
• Establish, monitor, and measure staff performance goals.
• Order supplies, track inventory, maintain warehouses.
• Develop, implement and monitor staff schedules and daily attendance records.
• Review time and attendance database and complete staff payroll.
• Determine daily tasks and assignments for the behavior team, including written records of daily enrichment.
• Fear Free certification within 30 days of hire.
• Complete other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Benefits

• ACC values work/life balance and offers a generous paid-time-off (PTO) package that includes vacation time, birthdays off, personal days and sick pay.
• We also value physical and mental health by offering a great open access Cigna medical, dental and vision insurance at a low premium to our employees as well as 401K and Pension, Life Insurance.
• We also have on-the-job training for 2-4 weeks, periodic all staff training to include safety, DEI, cross training, and other growth opportunities.
• Because ACC is a nonprofit, employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness, cancellation, and/or consolidation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). Created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF allows borrowers who work full time for nonprofits and government agencies to have their outstanding debt forgiven tax-free on Federal Direct Loans, after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

What This Job Offers

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