Behavior Manager

Description

Animal Friends | Pittsburgh, PA | Full-time, Exempt | $60,000–$70,000

Are you a shelter behavior professional ready to build something new? Animal Friends is committed to being a resource for animals in our region, especially those who often have nowhere else to turn. We’re looking for a Behavior Manager to lead our Behavior Wellness program for dogs, cats and rabbits and to guide our talented team of behavior professionals and supporting volunteers. As we plan a new Behavior Rehabilitation Center, you’ll also be the principal programmatic voice in shaping the expanded program it will house and working collaboratively with the team to design a facility built around the needs of the animals and people who care for them.

About Animal Friends

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Since 1943, Animal Friends has worked to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals in crisis. We also support keeping pets healthy and in their home whenever possible through education and affordable services, and inspire a community that celebrates the animal-human bond. Our 75-acre campus on Camp Horne Road, just 10 minutes north of downtown Pittsburgh, is home to the Caryl Gates Gluck Resource Center, our shelter, and the Howard Ash Animal Wellness Center, our veterinary clinic and pet retention services hub.

Our work reaches well beyond adoption:

• Intake, medical and behavior rehabilitation of dogs, cats and rabbits, plus progressive rehoming programs and extensive foster programming

• An affordable public veterinary clinic, pet food pantry and hub of pet retention services

• Public training classes, behavior resources and pet help services

• Humane education, camps, animal-assisted therapy and Veterans programming

• Humane investigations department with multiple Humane Society Police Officers

• New Leash programs that pair dogs with incarcerated trainers at two regional prison facilities

Animal Friends holds a Charity Navigator Four-Star rating, was named a 2025 Great Nonprofit and a regional “Best of” winner in various categories. We use positive, reward-based, force-free methods in everything we do.

The Role

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Reporting to the Chief Shelter Operations Officer, the Behavior Manager leads Behavior Wellness for every animal in our care. You'll supervise a team of four: an Animal Enrichment Specialist, Canine Behavior Specialist, Behavior Specialist and Animal Handling Liaison.

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop the Behavior team. Hire, coach and evaluate staff, manage the department budget, and report on data and program outcomes.

• Rehabilitate animals. Oversee daily behavior observation and individualized modification plans for all species. Serve on the Evaluation Committee and partner with placement, foster and feline teams.

• Lead the behavior rehabilitation center from the program side. Serve as the principal programmatic lead on the project. Advise on how the layout, housing and training spaces will support an expanded program, and help shape that program's protocols, capacity, staffing and outcome measures.

• Support the campaign with your real life success stories. Share rehabilitation outcomes and program expertise with donors and the community through tours, presentations and events.

• Teach and build skills. Develop handling curricula and train staff and volunteers across the organization. Work with Animal Friends University (AFU) to continue training for adopted animals that need behavior support.

• Support the community. Expand our public behavior helpline and online resources, and support adopters of animals with special behavioral needs before and after adoption.

• Oversee New Leash. Help guide the DAWG Program at SCI Fayette and the TAILS Program at the Allegheny County Jail.

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Pay and Benefits

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The salary range is $60,000–$70,000, based on experience.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance

• Paid time off, holidays, birthday pay and flexible scheduling

• 401(k) profit-sharing plan with personal financial planning support

• Employer-paid short-term disability and term life insurance

• An annual continuing education allowance

• Employee pricing on veterinary care at our on-site clinic

• An Employee Assistance Program

• Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• Paid meal breaks, casual dress, team events and adoption fees waived for staff

How To Apply

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Apply through the link below with a resume and a cover letter describing your shelter behavior experience and credentials. For additional questions, contact our People & Culture department at 412.847.7055 or [email protected].

Animal Friends is an equal opportunity employer. We value the unique contributions each team member brings.

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Requirements

What You Bring

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• At least 3 years of progressive animal welfare experience, including significant hands-on behavior training and modification in a shelter, and at least 2 years managing people

• A behavior or training credential, such as CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, IAABC certification, KPA-CTP or an equivalent, or willingness to earn one within first year of hire

•Fear Free Shelter or Low Stress Handling certification (or equivalent), or willingness to earn it within 6 months of hire

•A commitment to positive, reward-based, force-free methods

• Comfort handling dogs, cats and rabbits of all sizes, ages and temperaments

• Commitment to a positive, supportive, People First work environment

• Strong communication and leadership skills, including presenting to donors and community groups

• Experience building or expanding a behavior program is a plus, as is experience with facility planning or fundraising

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and holidays, and to take part in on-call and Manager on Duty rotations