Shelter Behavior Coordinator

The Shelter Behavior Coordinator is responsible for providing excellent behavioral care for the cats and dogs at our shelters as well as exceptional service to our clients. The East Bay SPCA Behavior & Training department is a flagship shelter behavior program that works to keep animals in homes and to foster the human-animal bond by providing high-quality behavior assistance and educational resources both externally to the community and internally to shelter staff and volunteers. The Behavior & Training department is responsible for the behavioral health of the animals at the East Bay SPCA and conducts behavior evaluations, enrichment programs, behavior modification, adoption and foster support, and staff and volunteer trainings. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: assist in the oversite of our behavior evaluation process and conducting secondary behavior evaluations for cats and dogs in our care; implementing behavior modification and training plans to increase animal adoptability; assisting in internal program development, creating and providing ongoing animal enrichment; coordinating dog play groups; providing information and counseling to adopters during and after the adoption process; and training staff and volunteers in animal handling and training techniques. The person in this position will spend most of their time working hands-on with animals enrolled in behavior programs and communicating about behavior plans with volunteers, staff, and members of the public. 

East Bay SPCA is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to the welfare of dogs and cats in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human-animal bond through respected and accessible expertise. Established in 1874, East Bay SPCA has a long history of compassionate care and receives no funding from any national organizations. You can find more information about East Bay SPCA on our website at www.eastbayspca.org. 

Category: Full-time; Non-exempt 
Location: The Shelter Behavior Coordinator will work at both the Oakland and Dublin campus as needed. 
Reports to:  The Manager of Behavior & Training 
Benefits: East Bay SPCA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and future of our employees. Medical and dental benefits are fully covered, along with optional vision coverage. Employees can plan for their future with a 401(K) Retirement Plan featuring a 3% company contribution, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. The company also provides generous paid time off, starting at 120 hours per year, increasing to 160 hours after 5 years, and 200 hours after 10 years, plus 80 paid holiday hours annually and an additional personal holiday after one year. Employees enjoy extra perks such as the Pets at Work Program, waived pet adoption fees, discounted veterinary care, behavior and training classes, up to $75/month public transit/vanpool commuter reimbursement, and various industry discounts, including Pet Food Express.

Responsibilities 

•  Provide excellent behavioral care for the cats and dogs in our shelters to reduce stress, maintain behavioral health, and improve adoptability.
• Work closely with Animal Care staff to maintain consistently high-quality evaluations, efficiently identify animals’ needs, and create pathways to meet those needs.
• Create and implement training plans for animals to improve quality of life and adoptability.
• Responsible for conducting secondary behavior evaluations with animals enrolled in behavior modification programs as well as long term animals to assess continued adoptability.
• Provide training to staff and volunteers about animal handling, behavior evaluation and modification techniques, and other behavior tasks.
• Provide information regarding animal adoptability and discuss euthanasia outcomes when appropriate.
• Oversee and continually develop specialized behavior volunteer program including delivering trainings, continuing education, and performance feedback.
• Coordinate with volunteers to improve handling skills, provide consistent handling for animals in our care, and implement training plans.
• Create plans for animals going into foster care and communicate with foster volunteers to provide ongoing behavior support.
• Coordinate and implement regular playgroups for dogs in our care.
• Enter plans, notes and other necessary information in Trello, our online tracking and volunteer communication system.
• Enter necessary information in Shelter Buddy, our shelter software program.
• Maintain and update behavior evaluation processes to be in line with best practices within the industry.
• Assist in internal behavior and training program development.
• Track data to evaluate performance of internal behavior programs. Work closely with Manager to ensure behavior programs are meeting departmental goals.
• Provide information and education to staff, volunteers, and the public on behavior issues based on departmental guidelines.
• Provide client education and support as needed.
• Document and appropriately report on animal behavior and health concerns.
• Provide support to other behavior department positions.
• Provide support for Animal Recruitment Coordinator.
• Create and provide daily enrichment to felines and canines in our care.
• Participate in the daily feeding, cleaning and care of the animals when staffing calls for assistance.

Qualifications

• CPDT-KA, CTC, or equivalent credentials preferred.
• Minimum of one year working in an animal shelter, preferably in a behavior position.
• Experience in the use of positive reinforcement methods, including appropriate use of humane training tools is required.
• Requires well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people of varying background and cultures by adapting style and tactics to fit the audience.
• Must be comfortable speaking with members of the public, in front of groups, over the telephone, and communicating via email.
• Proven organizational skills and effective communication.
• Excellent animal behavior observation skills and notetaking.
• Ability to work well as part of a cross-functional team, as well as independently.
• Comfortable overseeing, training, and supporting other staff members and volunteers.
• Competent in behavior evaluations, both feline and canine.
• Comfortable and competent in handling animals with a wide range of behaviors, including fractious or fearful animals.
• Familiar with considerate approach and low stress handling techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required.
• Pre-employment background check and drug screening required.
• Must have a clean driver’s license and reliable transportation (position works at both our Oakland and Dublin facilities as needed)

Working Conditions 

• Work is primarily performed in an animal shelter environment with exposure to detergents, cleaning products, wet and humid environments, and seasonal outdoor conditions
• Must be willing to work occasional irregular hours, weekends, and holidays
• Animal contact and related injuries, including bites and scratches, may occur. Will occasionally handle sick, injured, and deceased animals
• Noise exposure varies and often includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations
• Animal waste contact, smells, and visual exposure are prevalent
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds frequently and occasionally lift to 75 pounds with assistance. Must be able to push and/or pull over 50 pounds occasionally
• Frequent standing, walking, typing, bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and stooping