If you’re passionate about animal behavior and have big professional dreams, this is the job for you. If you are looking for an opportunity to lead a contemporary shelter behavior department and develop it from the ground up, this is the job for you.
Santa Ynez Valley Humane Soceity/DAWG is looking for an energetic person who is enthusiastic about our mission, works with a sense of urgency, and thrives in a fast-paced, progressive animal shelter work environment. Teamwork and community are important to us as we believe people are the answer, not the problem. We are seeking a Behavior & Training Manager who embraces change and growth, loves to learn and brings a positive and open-minded attitude to every challenge. This person must be a strong leader who values giving and receiving feedback. A commitment to a positive, non-judgemental, and collaborative work environment is a must. The B&T Manager will be responsible for the behavioral health and wellness of all dogs and cats at SYVHS/DAWG. The B&T Manager will manage all aspects of our behavior department including the implementation of behavior and enrichment programming to individual animals and our population as a whole. This person must be aligned with departmental goals and the shelter’s mission, and adhere to progressive, best practice shelter training and behavior modification policies and protocols.

A successful candidate must demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Positive communication
• A commitment to holistic assessments, training and programming
• Outside-the-box thinking and problem solving
• Show an attention to detail
• Ability to prioritize
• Strong program development
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire and manage people
• Cooperative attitude and commitment to working with a team
• A commitment to and alignment with SYVHS/DAWGs lifesaving mission

Responsibilities:

• Create, update and implement behavior protocols for individual animals and the general shelter population
• Develop and implement training programs for staff and volunteers, specifically in the areas of animal safety, handling and enrichment
• Enhance our existing holistic, daily enrichment program
• Enhance and develop daily enrichment routines and work with the Kennel Manager and Volunteer Coordinator to ensure daily implementation
• Meet with the Executive Director and Kennel Manager weekly to communicate lifesaving plans with appropriate documentation and recommendations for placement and outcome
• Identify, observe and immediately address any animals showing signs of kennel deterioration or a decline in health or behavior
• Address all staff and volunteer behavior assessment requests
• Establish stringent safety protocols and guidelines
• Perform basic but holistic assessments on all new arrival dogs to create a behavior baselines and outcome paths and recommendations
• Think outside the box and utilize the ideas of other shelter behavior professionals when faced with a difficult animals
• Commit to exhausting all options for a live outcome before recommending euthanasia
• Participate in the conversation regarding behavioral euthanasia considerations
• Identify dogs and cats that would benefit from behavioral foster homes
• Coordinate and oversee daily playgroups using the Dogs Playing For Life philosophies
• Assist with the development of public-facing behavior and training programs for the purpose of pet retention and community support
• Be available for behavior and training support consultations for community pet owners who are considering shelter surrender due to behavioral issues, as needed
• Develop public-facing dog training programs to generate excitement around our organization and additional funding to support programming, including basic obedience, tricks, agility, etc.
• Stay current on shelter behavior and training best practice
• Perform any other shelter duties as directed by the Director
• Must be able and willing to work with unpredictable, difficult, and sometimes dangerous animals
• Must take a collaborative approach and know when to ask for help
• Must approach each animal as an individual and set aside bias, conscious or unconscious
• Be present and timely for the duration of each work day
• Be empathetic and compassionate when interacting with the animals, staff and public
• Identify staff and volunteers who demonstrate aptitude for shelter behavior and training and work with them to develop their skills
• Foster a work environment that motivates our team and inspires exceptional work
• Make a commitment to working cooperatively with volunteers and develop positive relationships to grow the behavior program
• Work collaboratively with shelter staff, including Animal Care staff, Adoption Counselors, the Medical Team, and Foster and Volunteer Coordinators
• Work with the Media and Community Relations team to tell the story of our shelter animals and promote them on social media
• Adhere to the SYVHS/DAWGs Culture Agreement which includes behaving in a manner that promotes a fun, positive work environment
• Demonstrate a commitment to transparency

Qualifications Education and/or Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent, college-level courses preferred
• Professional certifications are preferred but not required
• Minimum 2 years experience training and working with animals in a shelter environment
• Knowledge and preference of positive reinforcement animal training, behavior and enrichment

• Create, update and implement behavior protocols for individual animals and the general shelter population
• Develop and implement training programs for staff and volunteers, specifically in the areas of animal safety, handling and enrichment
• Enhance our existing holistic, daily enrichment program
• Enhance and develop daily enrichment routines and work with the Kennel Manager and Volunteer Coordinator to ensure daily implementation
• Meet with the Executive Director and Kennel Manager weekly to communicate lifesaving plans with appropriate documentation and recommendations for placement and outcome
• Identify, observe and immediately address any animals showing signs of kennel deterioration or a decline in health or behavior
• Address all staff and volunteer behavior assessment requests
• Establish stringent safety protocols and guidelines
• Perform basic but holistic assessments on all new arrival dogs to create a behavior baselines and outcome paths and recommendations
• Think outside the box and utilize the ideas of other shelter behavior professionals when faced with a difficult animals
• Commit to exhausting all options for a live outcome before recommending euthanasia
• Participate in the conversation regarding behavioral euthanasia considerations
• Identify dogs and cats that would benefit from behavioral foster homes
• Coordinate and oversee daily playgroups using the Dogs Playing For Life philosophies
• Assist with the development of public-facing behavior and training programs for the purpose of pet retention and community support
• Be available for behavior and training support consultations for community pet owners who are considering shelter surrender due to behavioral issues, as needed
• Develop public-facing dog training programs to generate excitement around our organization and additional funding to support programming, including basic obedience, tricks, agility, etc.
• Stay current on shelter behavior and training best practice
• Perform any other shelter duties as directed by the Director
• Must be able and willing to work with unpredictable, difficult, and sometimes dangerous animals
• Must take a collaborative approach and know when to ask for help
• Must approach each animal as an individual and set aside bias, conscious or unconscious
• Be present and timely for the duration of each work day
• Be empathetic and compassionate when interacting with the animals, staff and public
• Identify staff and volunteers who demonstrate aptitude for shelter behavior and training and work with them to develop their skills
• Foster a work environment that motivates our team and inspires exceptional work
• Make a commitment to working cooperatively with volunteers and develop positive relationships to grow the behavior program
• Work collaboratively with shelter staff, including Animal Care staff, Adoption Counselors, the Medical Team, and Foster and Volunteer Coordinators
• Work with the Media and Community Relations team to tell the story of our shelter animals and promote them on social media
• Adhere to the SYVHS/DAWGs Culture Agreement which includes behaving in a manner that promotes a fun, positive work environment
• Demonstrate a commitment to transparenc