Animal Behavior & Transport Coordinator

## Description

**Summary of Purpose:**

This position is responsible for providing behavior training and enrichment to animals at both IVHS and SGVHS campuses while promoting a strong, positive team environment. In addition, this position coordinates the transport program to shelter partners and local area adoption partners.

**Supervisory & Animal Care Duties (Essential Functions):**

• Assists in the management and dissemination of information about animals available for adoption and IVHS and SGVHS programs to encourage responsible pet ownership.
• Socializes animals with potential adopters and other animals as appropriate.
• Provides animals with appropriate housing, food, water, bedding, toys and other mental stimulation and enrichment, social interaction with humans and, where appropriate, other animals.
• Leads the behavior team volunteers, providing consistent and fair leadership, communication, and motivation to all team members.
• Provides guidance to animal care team on canine behavior, humane handling, and force-free training methods. Guides behavior modification protocol for dogs and cats at IVHS and SGVHS.
• Leads the team in documenting behavioral concerns and progress.
• Participates in developing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOP) guidelines for best behavior and shelter practices; ensures guidelines are being followed and implemented effectively.
• Ensures a safe working environment, following all safety guidelines.
• Assists in determining behavior modification programs and shelter partner relationships.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

**Behavior Duties (Essential Functions):**

• Uses force-free training methods to perform behavior modification and teach basic obedience to dogs in the care of IVHS and SGVHS.
• Documents daily progress, observations, and concerns in shelter software and behavior logs for animals in behavior modification programs and reports progress to the Shelter Services Manager.
• Provides guidance to other IVHS and SGVHS teams on managing and modifying behavior concerns for animals at the shelter.
• Provides adoption counseling and processing for dogs and cats as requested by Placements team.
• Provides behavior support and assistance for dogs and cats in foster care.
• Ensures environmental enrichment is provided daily to animals in the care of IVHS and SGVHS campuses.
• Assists in determining the suitability of animals for adoption.
• Represents IVHS and SGVHS at community outreach events as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

**Transport Duties (Essential Functions):**

• Promotes, coordinates, and facilitates mobile and off-site pet adoptions, providing superior customer service, new pet-parent counselling, and post-adoption support.
• Participates in the transportation of IVHS and SGVHS animals to shelter partners and local area adoption partners.
• Works closely with the Community Program Manager to ensure volunteer transporters have the necessary tools to perform a successful transport of shelter animals to partners.
• Works closely with the Facilities Manager to ensure the animal transport fleet is in good working order.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

## Qualifications
**Qualifications/Requirements:**

• High school diploma or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 1 year experience working in a shelter setting.
• Extensive knowledge of dog behavior and experience in force-free training methods.
• Strong computer skills with the ability to prepare reports and maintain an efficient records system.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel) and shelter software.
• Humane attitude towards animals.
• Must be able to effectively restrain dogs more than 100lbs.
• Ability to manage the emotional aspect of end-of-life services and humane euthanasia, and support staff in high emotion circumstances.
• Support, and represent IVHS and SGVHS core values, programs, policies, and procedures.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

**Preferred Qualifications:**

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science from an accredited university or college.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish/Mandarin) preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience working for a non-profit rescue group, humane society, municipal shelter, or other animal welfare agency preferred.
• Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) training experience preferred.

**Knowledge & Abilities:**

• Customer-centric, open-minded approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with an open adoption process.
• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Exceptional organizational, analytical, interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Self-directed with ability to work independently/meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment with little direct supervision.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• High proficiency with computers - including shelter management software.
• Ability to independently manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work a varied schedule, including weekends and evenings, as required.
• Excellent communication skills to develop healthy relationships with staff, volunteers, and donors.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Outlook, Excel).
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

**Physical Demands/Working Environment:**

• Work is performed in a setting within an animal shelter facility. Regular exposure to animal shelter conditions including odors, airborne particles, and animal fur/dander.
• Must be able to:
• Routinely lift 50 pounds and perform strenuous daily activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
• Work at a computer for extended periods of time with repetitive typing, sitting, arm, and hand motion.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
• Regular movement about the campus to coordinate work.