Behavior Specialist

ASPCA
United States, North Carolina, Weaverville
Jan 04, 2025
Summary: The ASPCA's Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) in Weaverville, NC, is the first and only facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and study of extremely fearful, undersocialized dogs, such as those confiscated from puppy mills and hoarding situations. The goal of the entire BRC team is to work together to improve these dogs' quality of life and prepare them for life in adoptive homes---an impossible outcome without intensive, structured behavioral interventions and integrative holistic care. Behavior Rehabilitation Specialists play a critical role on the BRC team supporting several primary responsibilities, which include behavior monitoring, modification, evaluation and data collection, as well as coaching for a variety of visitors and animal welfare professionals. One of the most critical functions of the Behavior Rehabilitation Specialists is to serve as part of a harmonious, united team of shelter operations, shelter medicine and animal behavior experts, all dedicated to collaborating with each other to provide balanced, integrative, holistic care to ensure all work supports the dogs in treatment. Ideal candidates for this role will have a keen interest in applied animal behavior and research, a solid understanding of animal learning principles, superior animal handling skills, excellent coaching/teaching skills and exceptional people skills. Success will hinge on the ability to collaborate well with behavior, operations and veterinary teammates at the BRC, fellow animal behavior experts in other ASPCA departments and visiting professionals from other organizations. This position reports to the Sr. Manager of Behavior Rehabilitation. Responsibilities: Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following: Behavior Modification, Behavior Assessment, Animal Handling & Data Collection (65%) Conduct daily treatment sessions: perform behavior modification protocols and collect data after each session using the BRC behavior database Conduct behavior evaluations and collect data to track dogs' progress through the program Assist in reviewing surveys for graduated and adopted dogs to evaluate successes and opportunities of the program Monitor behavioral health and communicate observations and concerns to the appropriate BRC staff member(s); make recommendations to support outcome decisions Serve as "team captain," planning treatment sessions for the day and ensuring efficient workflow Assist with the handling and movement of fearful/aggressive dogs during cleaning, intake, exercise, grooming, exams and humane euthanasia Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care and our staff, by using low-stress handling techniques. Coaching, Consultation & Behavior Support (25%) Monitor the activities of volunteers interacting with BRC dogs during individual treatment sessions and provide guidance/coaching Under the direction of the Sr. Managers of Behavior Rehabilitation and the Sr. Director, Behavior Rehabilitation, provide hands-on coaching for BRC Care & Enrichment Technicians, visitors and interns Participate in Learning Lab collaborative teaching modules to share BRC protocols, providing coaching for professionals from partner organizations; participate in facilitation of Learning Lab collaborative teaching modules as needed Produce behavior-related paperwork for graduates for placement partners and adopters Provide support for placement partner organizations, adopters and fosters, including virtual and in-person consultations as necessary Facilitate on-site graduate introductions to receiving placement partners, foster parents and potential adopters As appropriate, give talks for public and professional audiences Give media interviews via email, via phone and on camera as needed Deployment & Travel (10%) Deploy to support Behavioral Sciences Team (BST) field work (handling for animal removal, handling for intake and performing forensic behavior evaluations) and to support other ASPCA behavior teams Transport animals to and from the BRC Liaise with placement partner organizations Attend training and development opportunities Other duties as assigned Exemplifies the ASPCA's Core Values: Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes Believes in Team - that we are stronger together Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals Qualifications: Exceptional behavior modification and animal handling skills Thorough companion animal behavior and animal welfare knowledge Excellent low-stress animal handing and restraint skills Effective teaching/coaching skills Excellent communication skills (spoken and written); a flexible communicator able to interact with diverse personalities and groups Maintains a positive attitude, enjoys collaborating and working directly with people, and respects team members at all levels Always treats people and animals with care and respect; must be a compassionate caregiver for animals and have a genuine interest in leading others Effective problem-solving abilities; likes to troubleshoot and find solutions when facing challenges Meticulous data collection and reporting skills Good organizational skills Fluent in internet usage and research Fluent in the use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint Must be flexible and easily adapt to frequent changes to plans/protocols Able to thrive in a fast-paced, potentially stressful environment Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds Able to work standing for 8 or more hours and bend, crouch, kneel and move freely to perform responsibilities that include handling potentially dangerous animals in stressful conditions Able to occasionally work in physically challenging conditions and able to wear appropriate protective gear, including a protective mask; job responsibilities may entail exposure to chemical and biological hazards, such as feces and blood, exposure to sharp objects, working in noisy environments and working in areas with uneven, wet and slippery surfaces Must feel comfortable seeing animals suffering from extreme fear and anxiety on a daily basis; must feel comfortable participating in humane euthanasia procedures for behaviorally unhealthy animals Must provide a valid driver's license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history Available to work a flexible schedule when needed including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays; regular schedule will include one weekend day Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% Language: English (required) Education and Work Experience: High school diploma or GED required Minimum of 2 years' experience working as a professional animal behavior expert, handling, treating and evaluating animals with behavior problems Animal sheltering experience required Experience working with extremely fearful or under-socialized dogs strongly preferred CPDT-KA strongly preferred Low Stress Handling University Silver-Level certification is required within six months of hire Completion of the Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship program is required within 2 years of hire Compensation and benefits: Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future. The target hiring range for this role is $28.37 - $30.77 Check our website for more information on our benefits offerings. Stay Connected - Join Our Talent Community If you are interested in joining our team but do not see a position listed that fits your experience or interests, pleasevisit our website to join our Talent Communityand stay connected to future opportunities with the ASPCA. Qualifications: See above for qualifications details. Language: Education and Work Experience: Bachelors, High School Diploma (Required) Our EEO Policy: The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA's standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA's People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process. Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V). About Us: The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers. The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA's vision - that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering. Applicants that are residents of Colorado: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries in the initial interview. We are permitted to require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant may redact the information before submitting an initial employment application.