JOB SUMMARY

Espanola Humane is seeking a skilled behavior associate to join our team. In this role, you will play a crucial part in evaluating behavior, ensuring that dogs and cats are receiving daily enrichment and exercise, and preparing shelter animals for successful transitions into loving homes. If you thrive in a dynamic shelter environment, have experience in force-free behavior handling, and lead with kindness, we'd love to welcome you to our team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Walking dogs in the morning and afternoon. Providing appropriate enrichment throughout the day. Monitor dogs' behavior, stress levels, and overall well-being; report changes to the Manager Assisting the behavior team in assessing dogs as they come into the shelter. Assisting the medical and kennel staff as needed. Maintain positive, professional relationships with correctional staff and follow all chain-of-command requirements Follow all organizational protocols for data management and reporting Collaborate with shelter, foster, transfer, events, and communications teams Maintain organized and up-to-date records and documentation Able to work weekends and some holidays. This position performs in accordance with the organization's expectations for animal care, teamwork, and interpersonal relations, and actively contributes to improving service delivery, communication, and consistency.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Approachability & Interpersonal Relationship skills Welcoming and respectful communication skills. Organizational agility Strong time management Kindness and patience towards both animals and people.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum one (1) year of animal welfare experience, or one (1) year formal education in animal welfare or behavior. Experience may include other roles within a shelter, boarding facility, or dog daycare. Fear-free shelter certified, or become fear-free certified within 60 days of employment. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with both co-workers and the public.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Certification in animal training and/or behavior counseling. One or more of the following certifications is strongly preferred :

CPDT-KA, CPDT-KSA, KPA, CTC, VSA-CDT, CBCC-KA, CSB-D, CSB-C, CDBC, CCBC, CABC

Familiarity with kennel management software (PetPoint).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to lift and carry 50+ lbs
• Daily exposure to dogs, as well as cats and other animals, of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status
• Work indoors and outdoors year round, in a variety of weather conditions that include extreme hot and cold
• Regularly handle strong dogs weighing up to 150 lbs
• Walking and/or standing for long periods of time
• Work frequently in a bent position
• May be required to use strength or agility in capturing and restraining stronger, more active animals
• Must be able to emotionally regulate in an animal shelter environment, including the aspects of animal welfare dealing with humane euthanasia Española Humane is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against candidates or employees based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, military status, veteran status, genetic history or any other protected status.

Española Humane encourages all qualified individuals to apply.

Pay:

$20.00 - $22.15 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Employee discount Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Opportunities for advancement Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person