Behavior Coordinator

Please make sure to attach your resume to complete your application.

Summary:

The ARC (Animal Recovery Center) and CARE (Canine Annex for Recovery and Enrichment) facilities are dedicated to the recovery and rehabilitation of victims of cruelty and neglect admitted through NYPD and the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) and Community Engagement (CE) programs.

Our dedicated team of more than 45 sheltering, medical, and animal behavior professionals work closely with the ASPCA Animal Hospital, Forensics, Legal Advocacy and Investigations, Behavioral Sciences, Shelter Medicine Services, Community Engagement, Placement, and the Adoption Center teams to ensure coordinated response and operations, and holistic, balanced, high-quality care for the animals we serve.

The Behavior Coordinator assists the Behavior Specialists in ARC and CARE to provide safe, high-quality behavioral support from intake to outcome or discharge, in accordance with organizational protocols.

This role supports, communicates and collaborates with staff in ARC, CARE, the Adoption Center, the Animal Hospital (AAH) and Forensics, in order to optimize the health and welfare of animals and, whenever possible, to set them up for success in a new home. This role may also provide on-scene support for large scale animal cases and search warrant executions.

We encourage a candidate who demonstrates outstanding inter-personal communication and the ability to work in a team or independently, with a high degree of integrity and accountability. This position welcomes a candidate with a sense of humor that can balance flexibility and enthusiasm and thrives on detail in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

*Schedule is Tues/Wed/Fri/Sat 9-7pm

Responsibilities:

Job Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Work alongside the Behavior Specialists to maintain dogs’ mental and physical needs in the shelter
• Assist Behavior Specialists with behavior modification as needed
• Run playgroups
• Assist with timely evaluation of animals to determine safety for handling, likelihood of rehabilitation and suitability for adoption
• Ensure timely and consistent delivery of specialized handling as required for intake, medical handling and/or procedures.
• Implement comprehensive behavioral enrichment program for animals in ARC and CARE
• Participate in team meetings to discuss animals’ behavioral status and progress
• Provide clerical assistance as needed
• Communicate results of behavior assessments to colleagues, other shelters and rescue groups who may be considering taking these animals; provide write-up’s and/or video
• Liaise with NYPD officers upon intake of animals to gather behavioral histories and information on the animals’ environment/ living conditions so that this information may be considered in developing safe animal handling guidelines and in determining each animal’s behavioral prognosis
• Provide behavioral information to inform appropriate disposition decisions (foster, rescue placement, euthanasia, etc.)
• Document results of standardized assessments, and videotape behavior treatments as needed
• Use active listening and respectful dialogue to answer questions and help staff understand behavioral signs that indicate potential aggression and/or poor quality of life
• Assist in transition, acclimation, and continuity of care during various stages of rehabilitation process including transitions from the field, AAH, ARC, CARE, and Adoption Center
• Collaborate with members of various departments including, but not limited to,CE, Adoption Center, and AAH as needed
• Enter behavior notes and data into our multi-departmental record keeping system

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

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 $31.25-$32.69.

For more information on our benefits offerings, click here.

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Education:

• High school diploma required

Experience:

• Minimum of two years experience working directly with animals at a well-established doggy care, dog walking service, animal shelter or animal care facility.
• At least one year of training dogs in a formal environment such as group classes, private lessons, or at an animal shelter.

Knowledge Requirements:

• Knowledge regarding canine behavior issues
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, etc.)

Skills Requirements:

• Applicant must be able to handle physically challenging dogs, lift over 50 pounds, and have the endurance to handle a variety of animals throughout the work day
• Applicant needs to be capable of running, standing for lengthy periods with some lifting as well (while occasionally working with some dogs weighing over 100 lbs.)
• The individual has to become familiar with and follow hospital protocols (isolation protocols, strict feeding guidelines etc.)
• Ability to assess and provide behavior modification to dogs
• Ability to instruct people
• Communication skills with people, enjoy working with people
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Able to follow instructions
• Safety conscious and aware of their own limits
• Ability to work well as part of a team

Training Requirements:

• Certification from reputable dog behavior professional program preferred (i.e. CCPDT, IAABC, KPA)
• Low Stress Handling® University Silver-Level certification is required within six months of hire

Additional Information:

• Weekends, some evenings, and some holidays are required
• Must have flexibility in schedule to accommodate program needs
• Deployment and travel locally or nationally with the ASPCA at least one time per year
• Must demonstrate the ability to interact effectively with ASPCA employees, clients, and the public.

Qualifications:

See above for qualifications details.

  

Language:

English (Required)

Education and Work Experience:

  

Dog Obedience Training, Experience Working Directly with Animals at a Well Established Doggy Care, Dog Walking Service, Animal Shelter or Animal Care Facility

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).

Please don’t forget to attach your resume to complete your application.

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.