Summary of Purpose:
This position is responsible for providing behavior training and enrichment to animals at both IVHS and SGVHS campuses while promoting a strong, positive team environment. In addition, this position coordinates the transport program to shelter partners and local area adoption partners.
Supervisory & Animal Care Duties (Essential Functions):
- Assists in the management and dissemination of information about animals available for adoption and IVHS and SGVHS programs to encourage responsible pet ownership.
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Socializes animals with potential adopters and other animals as appropriate.
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Provides animals with appropriate housing, food, water, bedding, toys and other mental stimulation and enrichment, social interaction with humans and, where appropriate, other animals.
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Leads the behavior team volunteers, providing consistent and fair leadership, communication, and motivation to all team members.
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Provides guidance to animal care team on canine behavior, humane handling, and force-free training methods. Guides behavior modification protocol for dogs and cats at IVHS and SGVHS.
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Leads the team in documenting behavioral concerns and progress.
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Participates in developing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOP) guidelines for best behavior and shelter practices; ensures guidelines are being followed and implemented effectively.
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Ensures a safe working environment, following all safety guidelines.
- Assists in determining behavior modification programs and shelter partner relationships.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Behavior Duties (Essential Functions):
- Uses force-free training methods to perform behavior modification and teach basic obedience to dogs in the care of IVHS and SGVHS.
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Documents daily progress, observations, and concerns in shelter software and behavior logs for animals in behavior modification programs and reports progress to the Shelter Services Manager.
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Provides guidance to other IVHS and SGVHS teams on managing and modifying behavior concerns for animals at the shelter.
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Provides adoption counseling and processing for dogs and cats as requested by Placements team.
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Provides behavior support and assistance for dogs and cats in foster care.
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Ensures environmental enrichment is provided daily to animals in the care of IVHS and SGVHS campuses.
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Assists in determining the suitability of animals for adoption.
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Represents IVHS and SGVHS at community outreach events as appropriate.
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Perform other duties as assigned.
Transport Duties (Essential Functions):
- Promotes, coordinates, and facilitates mobile and off-site pet adoptions, providing superior customer service, new pet-parent counselling, and post-adoption support.
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Participates in the transportation of IVHS and SGVHS animals to shelter partners and local area adoption partners.
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Works closely with the Community Program Manager to ensure volunteer transporters have the necessary tools to perform a successful transport of shelter animals to partners.
- Works closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure the animal transport fleet is in good working order.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements:
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High school diploma or equivalent qualification.
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Minimum 1 year experience working in a shelter setting.
- Extensive knowledge of dog behavior and experience in force-free training methods.
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Strong computer skills with the ability to prepare reports and maintain an efficient records system.
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Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel) and shelter software.
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Humane attitude towards animals.
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Must be able to effectively restrain dogs more than 100lbs.
- Ability to manage the emotional aspect of end-of-life services and humane euthanasia, and support staff in high emotion circumstances.
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Support, and represent IVHS and SGVHS core values, programs, policies, and procedures.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science from an accredited university or college.
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Bilingual (English/Spanish/Mandarin) preferred.
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3-5 years of experience working for a non-profit rescue group, humane society, municipal shelter, or other animal welfare agency preferred.
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Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) training experience preferred.
Knowledge & Abilities:
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Customer-centric, open-minded approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with an open adoption process.
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Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
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Exceptional organizational, analytical, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
- Self-directed with ability to work independently/meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment with little direct supervision.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
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High proficiency with computers - including shelter management software.
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Ability to independently manage multiple projects simultaneously.
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Ability to work a varied schedule, including weekends and evenings, as required.
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Excellent communication skills to develop healthy relationships with staff, volunteers, and donors.
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Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel).
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Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
Physical Demands/Working Environment:
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Work is performed in a setting within an animal shelter facility. Regular exposure to animal shelter conditions including odors, airborne particles, and animal fur/dander.
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Must be able to:
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Routinely lift 50 pounds and perform strenuous daily activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
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Work at a computer for extended periods of time with repetitive typing, sitting, arm, and hand motion.
- Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
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Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
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Regular movement about the campus to coordinate work.
Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. Core Values:
Pawsitive- Embracing optimism at all times with animals, ourselves, each other, and our community.
Innovative- Leading the change our communities need with commitment to our mission.
Collaborative- Synergy and cooperation with partners and stakeholders to improve lifesaving.
Kindness- Meeting everyone with compassion and respect.
Supplemental Information:
Only those candidates whose applications and resumes most clearly demonstrate the job-related experience, education, and training sought by Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. and San Gabriel Valley Humane Society shall be selected to move forward in the recruitment process. Placement in the position shall be contingent upon the successful completion of a written test with a minimum score of 80%, reference check, prior employment check, Live Scan, and pre-employment medical exam including a drug test.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; Inland Valley Humane Society & S.P.C.A. and San Gabriel Valley Humane Society are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Salary Disclosure:
Compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, and experience. In addition to those factors, IVHS and SGVHS complies with applicable pay equity laws and considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a generous benefits package.
