Canine Behavior Specialist

ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL OF NYC • New York, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Canine Behavior Specialist provides behavioral enrichment to the dogs in Animal Care Centers of New York City’s (ACC) care, including assisting with playgroups and behavioral assessments, providing exercise, behavioral and environmental enrichment, socialization, and basic training.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 6 months previous experience interacting with and caring for dogs in a private or shelter setting required.
• Must be able to handle all types and breeds of canines with varying behaviors and energy levels, including those showing fearful and aggressive behaviors.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity and strong understanding of canine body language and working in playgroup settings a plus.
• 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.
• Flexibility with daily tasks as well as hours depending on operational needs.
• The ability to remain pleasant, calm and objective in all situations.

Responsibilities

• Conducting individual socialization sessions with specific dogs and recording their observed behaviors.
• Supporting the enrichment program by distributing enrichment items.
• Aiding specialized behavior roles in their daily responsibilities, including behavioral assessments, playgroup, and training assistance.
• Work with the Behavior and Enrichment Supervisor to maintain and support programs that provide. behavioral and environmental enrichment, exercise, socialization, and care focusing on dogs housed at ACC.
• Participate in playgroups daily: run dogs to the yard and learn safe management techniques for monitoring play sessions.
• Implement enrichment plans for dogs at the care centers.
• In conjunction with enrichment plans, teach basic manners during exercise and in the kennel as appropriate.
• Work with the behavior staff, animal care staff, and volunteers to identify particular animals that are shy, have been with ACC for a long time and/or need special attention.
• Assist with canine handling evaluations as needed.
• Carefully monitor and communicate behavior and body language during assessments to ensure the safety of the Assessor.
• Keep accurate written records to identify what was done each day for each animal and to monitor the plan.
• Update records and observation logs as new information becomes available.
• Clean up after animals. This includes picking up after dogs during walks, spot cleaning kennels as needed, and cleaning of the play yard and all enrichment supplies.
• Fear Free certification required within 30 days of hire.
• 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 trainings 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: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED