Behavior & Training Coordinator

Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18-22/hour
Work Location: On site
Reports to Behavior and Training Manager

Company Overview

Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC) is a dynamic and progressive humane society in contract with Hamilton County to deliver exceptional animal services to our community. We enforce animal laws and prioritize public safety while striving to be a community resource providing education and support to the people and animals of Hamilton County. We value our team of compassionate, open-minded, and resilient staff and volunteers who make it possible to care for the more than 8,000 animals that come through the shelter doors each year. We believe that lifesaving is a community ethic and we have implemented a collaborative, holistic approach to animal sheltering and Dog Warden services.

Position Summary:

The Dog Behavior & Wellness Coordinator will be responsible for the behavioral health and wellness of all dogs on-site at Cincinnati Animal CARE. This individual will provide versatile support and coordinate multiple programs (Training Plans, Playgroups, Wellness/Enrichment, Dog Behavior Support, and Volunteer/Staff Engagement) that contribute to both behavior and shelter operations. The Behavior & Wellness Coordinator will report directly to the Behavior and Training Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Development and Oversight:

Evaluate the behavior and enrichment program for onsite dogs; evaluate effectiveness and make data-driven improvements. Modify as needed to improve outcomes.
Monitor and manage program resources, including preparing annual budgets and coordinating supply needs with the B&T Manager.
Maintain detailed records of animal behavior, enrichment activities, and progress in shelter software systems, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers to ensure continuity of programming on weekends and holidays.
Coordinate the behavior support program; evaluate effectiveness and make data-driven improvements. Modify as needed to improve outcomes.
Maintain detailed records of animal behavior, enrichment activities, and progress in shelter software systems, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers to ensure continuity of support and communication on weekends and holidays.

Behavior Assessment, Support and Intervention:

Perform behavior evaluations of shelter dogs and make pathway recommendations.
Create and implement individualized training, behavior modification and plans for dogs on-site and making adjustments as necessary.
Work closely with the Behavior and Training Team transfer training and behavior plans from shelter to foster or adoptive homes.
Lead weekly Intervention Meetings to identify at-risk dogs, put them on plans, review plans, and make outcome recommendations.
Promptly communicate Euthanasia Recommendations to the Lifesaving Team.
Collaborate with the B&T Manager to address serious behavioral concerns in a timely manner.
Work with the Dog Care Manager to ensure proper kennel signage and whiteboard usage.
Attend Lifesaving meetings prepared to discuss dogs who the Intervention team has no other options.
Assist with the euthanasia process.

Behavior and Training Team:

Provide direct animal care when needed, including during emergencies, ensuring a clean, sanitary, and healthy environment for all animals.
Assist with general B&T department tasks as assigned such as, but not limited to, behavior assessments, playgroups, individual training, B&T requests for help handling dogs at intake or in kennels, and euthanasia assistance.
Assist with the training of new staff and volunteers, as needed.
Assist with Special Adoption-Behavior meet and greets, as needed.
Assist in onboarding and training new staff/volunteers, allowing them to shadow sessions and mentoring them before/during the session and for post-session duties (notes, follow up emails, future scheduling)
Monitor emails and respond in a timely manner

Playgroup and Enrichment Coordination:

Conduct or delegate daily playgroups, categorizing dogs social compatibility to promote safe socialization, natural behavior expression and exercise.
Develop and implement robust individualized enrichment programs for dogs unable to participate in playgroups (i.e medical restrictions, low social status), addressing their physical, mental and emotional well being.
Ensure playgroup and enrichment areas are clean, well-maintained, and equipped with necessary materials.
Train staff and volunteers on the principles of safe dog playgroup management and effective dog-to-dog introductions.
Recruit, train, coordinate and supervise volunteers for playgroups and enrichment activities.
Coordinate with dog walk volunteers to make sure dogs they don’t walk receive out-of-kennel time.

Dog Behavior Support

Establish lines of communication with adopters and fosters that make B&T assistance readily accessible, especially in times of emergency.
Respond to general behavior requests for help from adoptive and foster families of CAC dogs with a goal of 48 hour response time, while prioritizing safety concerns with responses as quickly as possible, ideally less than 24 hours.
Create and implement individualized training plans, behavior modification plans for dogs post-adoption and in foster.
Make recommendations for return to shelter when the behavior poses an exceptional safety concern or the support has been ineffective. Work with Community Support to schedule and attain detailed notes about behavior.
Provide support verbally, in writing, or in person (onsite or off-site) as needed.
Follow up, manage, and track requests for help, communication, training plans implemented, and success rates.
Work with the Medical Manager to monitor behavior medications in foster homes with dogs being worked with by Sr. Behavior Support Coordinator.
Attend Intervention Meetings to identify at-risk dogs and provide updates on dogs with behavior plans in foster homes.
Manage the inventory, storage, and purchasing of behavior support supplies.
Maintain records and data with regards to dogs worked with, interventions applied, and outcome of the dog.
Ensure animal population software is up to date with the current status of each dog being worked with.
Work with Community Engagement Team to ensure the CAC website is up to date with recommended behavior and training advice.
Prepare reports for the B&T Manager to provide status updates on dogs being worked with and general data about the success and needs of the support program.
Establish a system for coverage for email and other correspondence with clients when out of the office to ensure timely responses.

Volunteer and Handling Engagement

Develop and maintain a dog volunteer engagement program including curriculums and expectations on safe and best handling practices.
Lead and act as the primary instructor for dog handling classes (Blue, Silver, Yellow), manage volunteer instructors (Green and Orange)
Lead in person and remote presentations about updated and safe handling policies.
Collaborate with the Community Engagement Coordinator to develop streamlined volunteer pathways.

Safety and Animal Welfare:

Ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, and animals by adhering to established protocols and addressing safety concerns immediately, and modeling safe practices.
Work closely with the B&T Manager and Shelter Manager to uphold the highest standards of care and address any concerns proactively.

Customer Service and Collaboration:

Work effectively with staff, volunteers, and clients from diverse backgrounds.
Provide excellent customer service, promoting the organization positively in all interactions.
Communicate effectively to promote collaboration among staff and volunteers, creating a unified approach to dog care and behavior departments.
Assist with the training of staff and volunteers.

Leadership:

Lead others by example and as a Coordinator, be prepared to coach B&T, dog care staff, and volunteers in real time.
Lead dog care staff and volunteers as needed or in the absence of dog care or volunteer leadership. Identify priorities and provide directives.
Establish and lead a group of trained volunteers to assist with playgroups, enrichment, and individual training plans.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior, Animal Science, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
Minimum of 3 years of experience working with canine behavior and enrichment, preferably in a shelter setting.
Animal training certification preferred, or in progress.
Demonstrated experience in program management, volunteer coordination, and community engagement.
Proficiency with shelter management software and ability to maintain detailed, accurate records.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, and emergencies.
Comfort with public speaking and experience teaching adults in seminar-type and training class-type settings preferred
Experience teaching and using positive reinforcement training techniques, animal behavior, and body language observations and evaluation
Deep understanding of canine behavior, body language, and enrichment strategies, particularly in a shelter environment.
Expertise in dog social behaviors and ability to safely monitor and intervene as needed.
Proficient in safe, humane handling techniques for dogs with various behavioral challenges, including high arousal and defensive tendencies.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to train and engage staff and volunteers effectively.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.
Proficiency in verbal and written communication, with experience in training and mentoring staff and volunteers.
Comfort working collaboratively within a team and independently, providing constructive feedback and accepting input in real time.
Desire to participate in regular professional development through Maddie’s Fund, American Pets Alive!, Dogs Playing for Life, and Best Friends Animal Society opportunities
Proficiency in Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, and Gmail
Knowledge of animal disease symptoms
Successful completion of Fear-Free Sheltering
Consistency in adherence to the CAC Employee Handbook, Attendance Policy, safety protocols and daily tasks
Ability to maintain a strong independent work ethic and time management skills when switching between session-work and email-work.
Consistency in recording timely, objective and accurate notes into the PetPoint and all accompanying spreadsheets. This includes updating or adding attributes and priority levels appropriately, with detailed disclaimer memos.
Recognition that volunteers are essential to the organization, and show willingness and ability to work with them as integrated pieces of the team
Demonstrate commitment to being flexible and adaptable in responding to the evolving needs of the program; reacting to change productively, and maintaining a positive and solution-focused approach.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Capable of standing, bending, and walking for extended periods.

Working Conditions:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
Exposure and handling unvetted animals and their waste is frequent.

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