Behavior Assistant

Summary of Purpose:

Responsible for facilitating enrichment to animals by providing outlets for expression of natural behavior to reduce stress, provide behavior assessments and develop behavior modification plans for at-risk animals to increase adoptability, and provide behavior counseling to adopters, staff, and volunteers.

Duties (Essential Functions):

Provide daily care, cleanliness, and enrichment to animals in care and maintain common areas.

- Responsible for daily cleaning and sanitation of assigned animal and common areas with emphasis on disease control protocols; provide spot cleaning of animal areas throughout work schedule.

- Provide all animals with appropriate housing, bedding, food, and water.

- Provide animals with daily enrichment and mental stimulation including in kennel toys and food enrichment, walks for adult dogs, social interaction with humans, and (where appropriate) interactions with members of own species.

- Implement daily play groups for dogs able to engage in dog-dog interactions.

- Assist in maintaining a clean and uncluttered environment; sweep, take out trash, wash windows, etc.

Use force-free training methods to perform behavior modification and teach basic obedience.

- Update behavior traits for animals in PetPoint software.

- Observe and document daily progress of dogs in behavior modification programs and/or behavior concerns in PetPoint software and report progress to Behavior Manager.

- Enter release information and adoption restrictions in PetPoint software.

- Provide training to staff, volunteers, and fosters regarding proper handling and training techniques.

- Take photos and write bios for dogs in the behavior program.

- Monitors medical health of animals in assigned areas and communicates concerns with KHS Veterinary staff.

- Assist medical and intake staff in providing medical treatment and vaccinations as needed by providing handling and restraint of dogs with handling sensitivities.

- Distribute behavior medications as directed by KHS Veterinary staff.

- Provide pre-adoption behavior counseling/consultations to potential adopters of dogs with behavior concerns.  Ensure adopters receive behavioral support, as requested/needed, to aid in pet retention.

- Provides support and assistance for behaviorally challenged dogs in foster care.

- Perform transfer training sessions and post-adoption follow ups for behavior modification graduates.

Provide professional, compassionate, stellar customer services to all who visit, call, volunteer, donate or work for KHS.

- Provide guidance to other KHS departments on managing and modifying behavior concerns at external sites by phone, email, or in person.

- Assist as needed or directed in supporting foster, set-up, behavior, and other critical shelter operations.

- Provide support and act as a backup for team members to ensure duties are complete.

- Ensure a safe work environment, following all safety guidelines.

- Communicate with supervisor on duty regarding unusual activities, significant problems or concerns.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications/Requirements:

- Experience with positive reinforcement based dog training methods preferred.

- Experience working with modification of canine fear and aggression preferred.

- Advanced knowledge of dog behavior.

- Ability to work independently with little direct supervision.

- Great interpersonal skills in person and by phone with clients, staff, and volunteers.

- Demonstrated attention to detail, and ability to process paperwork accurately and efficiently.

- Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

- Humane attitude towards animals.

- Ability to manage the emotional aspect of end-of-life services and humane euthanasia, and support staff in high-emotion circumstances.

- Accept, support, and represent KHS core values, programs, policies, and procedures.

- Basic computer knowledge.

- Support the usage of approved AI tools when they can improve efficiency and reduce time spent on routine or administrative tasks while meeting quality, accuracy, confidentiality and professional standards.

- Ability to lift or otherwise move large animals – up to 50 pounds; full range of motion, including stooping, bending, reaching, etc.

- Background Check required.

Physical, Psychosocial, and Cognitive Demands/ Working Environment

- Frequent bending, reaching, kneeling, walking, and standing regularly while performing job functions.

- Frequently lifts, carries, or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to and exceeding 50 lbs.

- Includes working with animals in a kennel/shelter setting (indoor/outdoor) in varying weather conditions.

- Potential for exposure to allergens (including but not limited to pet dander, dust, peanut butter), and zoonotic diseases (diseases transferred from animals to humans).

- Exposure to chemicals.

- Exposure to loud noise.

- Exposure to emotional circumstances.

- Fast-paced environment.