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About the Role

The Canine Behavior Specialist provides behavioral enrichment to dogs in Animal Care Centers of New York City’s (ACC) care. This includes assisting with playgroups and behavioral assessments, providing exercise, behavioral and environmental enrichment, socialization, and basic training.

Responsibilities

• Conducting individual socialization sessions with specific dogs and recording their observed behaviors.
• Supporting the enrichment program by distributing enrichment items.
• Aiding specialized behavior roles in their daily responsibilities, including behavioral assessments, playgroup, and training assistance.
• Work with the Behavior and Enrichment Supervisor to maintain and support programs that provide behavioral and environmental enrichment, exercise, socialization, and care focusing on dogs housed at ACC.
• Participate in playgroups daily: run dogs to the yard and learn safe management techniques for monitoring play sessions.
• Implement enrichment plans for dogs at the care centers.
• Teach basic manners during exercise and in the kennel as appropriate.
• Work with the behavior staff, animal care staff, and volunteers to identify particular animals that are shy, have been with ACC for a long time and/or need special attention.
• Assist with canine handling evaluations as needed.
• Carefully monitor and communicate behavior and body language during assessments to ensure the safety of the Assessor.
• Keep accurate written records to identify what was done each day for each animal and to monitor the plan.
• Update records and observation logs as new information becomes available.
• Clean up after animals, including picking up after dogs during walks, spot cleaning kennels as needed, and cleaning of the play yard and all enrichment supplies.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 6 months previous experience interacting with and caring for dogs in a private or shelter setting required.
• Must be able to handle all types and breeds of canines with varying behaviors and energy levels, including those showing fearful and aggressive behaviors.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Fear Free certification required within 30 days of hire.

Skills

• Canine behavior
• Behavioral enrichment
• Playgroups
• Behavioral assessments
• Socialization
• Basic training
• Communication skills
• Record keeping
• Canine body language
• Working in playgroup settings
• Making sound judgments
• Working independently
• Juggling multiple competing tasks and demands
• Fostering a cooperative, encouraging and positive work environment
• Flexibility with daily tasks and hours
• Remaining pleasant, calm and objective in all situations
• Ability to remain calm yet professional in stressful situations

Location

• New York City

Work Type

• Full-time
• Onsite

Experience Level

• Minimum 6 months experience

Education Level

• High School Diploma or GED

Benefits

• Generous paid-time-off (PTO) package including vacation time, birthdays off, personal days and sick pay.
• Open access Cigna medical, dental and vision insurance at a low premium.
• 401K and Pension
• Life Insurance
• On-the-job training for 2-4 weeks.
• Periodic all staff trainings (safety, DEI, cross training, growth opportunities).
• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligible for overtime.

About the Company

• ACC is one of the nation’s largest open-admission animal shelters, whose mission is to End Animal Homelessness in NYC.
• ACC touches the lives of nearly 20,000 animals each year.
• ACC is more than an animal shelter; it is a resource to the community, always seeking ways to keep the human-animal bond intact.
• With a 90% placement rate, its progressive, life-saving initiatives contribute to the successful placement of animals.
• ACC strives to find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits, both by adopting animals directly to the public and by partnering with more than 200 dedicated animal placement organizations (New Hope partners).
• ACC also helps keep NYC communities safe and rescues animals in need, responding to emergencies that involve animals as well as keeping its doors open 24/7 for people and animals in need.
• ACC offers many low-cost services to pets and people in need, including compassionate end-of-life services for people who cannot afford to go to a private veterinary office but still want to provide a professional and peaceful transition for their beloved pet.