Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial in the colorful State of Colorado. We employ a total of 200+ employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion. HSPPR welcomes you to apply for this exciting opportunity at our socially conscious organization.
Job Summary
The Behavior Specialist supports animal population management by developing and implementing animal behavior support services. This position provides mentorship and training for behavior-related services for staff and volunteers. This position supports the development of behavior services by providing professional behavior expertise and guidance. The Behavior Specialist ensures an environment of compassionate and respectful animal and people care in accordance with HSPPR's mission and values.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Behavior Specialist Services:
- Runs reports to assist in pathway planning animals in our care that are presenting with concerning behaviors or have a history of concerning behaviors.
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Provides training on how to perform behavior assessments that are endorsed by the organization.
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Assess the temperament of dogs, cats, and small animals to provide a factual, nonbiased assessment of the animal's behavior.
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Complete all needed data entry; ensure objective behavior language is used.
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Understand that behavior assessments may result in euthanasia; ensures this does not affect integrity of the assessment.
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Trains volunteers and staff on various topics to ensure the organization is staying proactive in their behavior services. This may include, providing volunteers training on triaging behavior concerns in the adopters or fosters home, training volunteers in advanced dog walking/pack walk skills, training staff in dog-to-dog communication, etc.
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Monitors behavioral concerns and overall behavioral health of animals being provided behavior support.
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Provides individualized training plans for animals enrolled in behavior support services and long-term holding.
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Performs behavior support and modification sessions regularly.
Behavior Services Department
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Contributes to defining best practices for behavior-related staff and volunteer development by creating and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
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Provides guidance to ensure that staff and volunteers are handling all animals in the most humane manner possible.
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Attend on-site and off-site training to:
- stay current on best practices for LIMA and Positive Reinforcement based behavioral support methods.
- individual professional development
- Assists with the functions of other Behavior Department duties as needed.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Relationships
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Works to anticipate and resolve conflict and promote open communication between volunteers, staff, and management. Solicits volunteer and employee input regarding their work and workplace.
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Leads others by supporting staff and volunteers; assesses situations to ensure providing quality services to clients, volunteers, and employees.
Communication
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Communicates effectively with staff so pertinent parties are informed of potential issues/information.
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Documents staff and volunteer complaints. Involves Behavior Manager as necessary.
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Communicates with and provides regular feedback and/or coaching to volunteers and staff in a professional and timely manner.
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Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
Customer Service
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Informs Behavior Manager of developments that may affect HSPPR or the department including department progress, media exposure, public image, client concerns, and personnel issues.
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Supports staff and volunteers; provide quality services to clients, volunteers, and employees, recognizing their individual contributions to the success of our organization.
Fiscal Responsibility
Supervisory Duties
Physical Demands
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Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
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Must be able to lift, push and pull a minimum of forty pounds with reasonable accommodations.
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Must be able to be on feet for extended periods of time.
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Typically stands, bends, stoops, and crouches.
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Regularly sits at a computer station.
Schedule Requirements
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Sunday-Thursday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
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Schedule may include weekend and holiday work.
Education/Experience Necessary
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Ability to effectively read, write, interpret, communicate, perform basic problem solving, and perform basic math as commonly expected from completion of a High School Diploma or Equivalent Education
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Animal training and behavior knowledge including theory of positive reinforcement and temperament testing required.
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Minimum of one year working in an open-admission animal shelter preferred.
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Experience working with volunteers or previous experience as a volunteer preferred.
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Possess excellent communication and organizational skills. Must be detail-oriented.
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Excellent interpersonal and team-building skills.
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Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
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Proficient in Microsoft Office software, data entry, and reporting.
**Application Deadline: Thursday, July 16, 2026, or until position is filled.**
The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.
Core Values Statements-
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Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect, and compassion.
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Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.
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Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.
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Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation, and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.
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Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.
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Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.
