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.
The Behavior Supervisor is responsible for providing direct supervision and support to the Behavior Specialist and Technicians; ensuring operational goals and timelines are achieved; implements appropriate behavior procedures and guidelines to support organizational goals; supports the development of a culture or engagement and relationship building with staff and volunteers; works to maintain positive relations with departments utilizing L.I.M.A. (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) based methods.
HSPPR's Mission Statement: HSPPR offers compassionate care to animals, supports safe communities, and provides socially conscious sheltering.
The Behavior Supervisor plays a critical role in advancing HSPPR's mission by ensuring the behavioral health, welfare, and successful placement of animals in our care. Through leadership of behavior staff, development and oversight of behavior modification programs, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and support of adopters, volunteers, and the community, this position helps increase positive outcomes for animals while promoting humane treatment, responsible pet ownership, and strong human-animal relationships. By fostering a culture of engagement, safety, and continuous improvement, the Behavior Supervisor directly contributes to HSPPR's life-saving efforts and commitment to serving both animals and people.
- Supervises day-to-day operational aspects of the behavior services provided by the Behavior Specialists and Technicians.
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Coaches staff by providing ongoing feedback and timely performance feedback.
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In conjunction with the Behavior and Population Manager, sets performance standards, supervises, and motivates employees. Recognizes good performance and counsels' staff to correct problems.
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Adheres to principles of progressive discipline. Provides input to the Behavior and Population Manager regarding performance evaluations, employee coaching and disciplinary actions.
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Responsible for conducting staff meetings and preparing staff training sessions.
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Keep the Behavior and Population Manager informed of departmental progress, personnel concerns, etc.
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Ensure scheduling, training and payroll is being completed for direct reports.
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Keeps inventory of items used for the behavior programs and places orders when needed.
- Oversees the canine and feline behavior management, including but not limited to performing behavior evaluations; managing and conducting the behavior modification program; reviewing progress notes; staff and volunteer training; curriculum development and training materials; working with the Population Coordinators to design and implement cat and dog behavior support.
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Evaluates policies and procedures related to animals' behavior. Provides recommendations for changes to your direct manager to ensure we are staying proactive and efficient.
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Collaborates with the Population Coordinators and meets regularly with them to determine staffing needs, duties, and training.
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Works directly with the Operations, Veterinary Services, and Animal Law Enforcement Management teams, to determine appropriate behavior and medical candidates for adoption, both current and potential.
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Daily reviews of animal records with concerning behaviors or have a history of concerning behaviors, utilizing behavior and pathway planning knowledge, to determine animal movement and placement decisions, including but not limited to adoption, behavior evaluation, surgery, transfer, and/or euthanasia.
- Works to anticipate and resolve conflicts and promote open communication between volunteers, staff, and management. Solicits volunteer and employee input regarding their work and workplace.
- Works closely with Behavior Specialist and Population Coordinators to achieve strategic initiatives.
- Communicate effectively with staff so pertinent parties are informed of potential issues/information.
- Documents staff and volunteer complaints. Assists to handle complaints and/or concerns from, or about, volunteers with professionalism and good judgment.
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Communicates with and provides regular feedback and/or coaching to staff and volunteers in a professional and timely manner.
- Inform Customer Service Managers & Director of Communications 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.
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Performs pre-adoption and post-adoption consultations to promote and ensure the successful placement of animals.
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Provides behavior consultations for adopters and the public, offering guidance on training management, connecting them with resources, and supporting informed decisions related to surrender or euthanasia.
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In conjunction with the department manager, plans and organizes in anticipation of future needs.
Other
- Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of HSPPR.
- Appropriate documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Duties
- Directly supervises the Behavior Specialists and Behavior Technicians.
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Regularly sits at a computer station, often in a shared office environment.
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The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 or more pounds of moving weight and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 or more pounds of moving weight.
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Occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell.
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Regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and is frequently required to stand and walk. May be expected to be on feet for extended periods of time.
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Must be able to use both hands and arms to grip, pull and push utilizing safety equipment such as, but not limited to catch poles, snappy snares, leashes, ropes, muzzles.
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Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
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Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
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Must handle various animals of various sizes, may include aggressive animals and potential exposure to zoonotic diseases.
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Regularly exposed to noise and potential exposure to hazardous weather conditions.
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Potential exposure to cleaning supplies and/or other substances containing toxic or caustic chemicals.
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Frequently works outside, with prolonged exposure to different weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and wind.
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Sunday-Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
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Regular schedule will include weekend shifts
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May be required to work mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays as required by the organization
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Fully on Site
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Minimum of two years of directly related experience in an animal sheltering or animal welfare environment or equivalent experience preferred.
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1+ years supervisory experience recommended.
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Certified Professional Dog Trainer Certification (CPDT-KA), advanced experience and/or certification in animal behavior consulting and modification preferred.
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Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
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Possess excellent communication and organizational skills.
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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: August 16, 2026, or until position is filled.**
Benefits include:
Health Insurance ~~ 401K with employer matching up to 4% of salary ~~ Dental and vision* Insurances ~~ Supplemental Group Insurance* ~~ Short and long term disability Insurance ~~ Paid time off ~~ Holidays ~~ Direct Deposit ~~ Personal Pet Perks
(*) Employee pays the full premium
The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this program, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/.
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.
