Manager of Behavior & Training
Bideawee was founded upon the principle that every homeless animal should have a place where they are welcome, and that sense of compassion, dedication, and justice remain at the core of who we are and what we do. We believe that a company is only as great as those who embody its mission, and we are committed to the growth, success, and well-being of our staff and community. Join an organization that has been making the world a better place for pets and the people who love them since 1903!
Full time employees of Bideawee enjoy benefits such as:
- Medical/Dental/Vision plans, including free options
- Generous amounts of Paid Time Off
- 403(b) with matching employer contributions
- Discount services and pet food
- Health Reimbursement Account
Position Purpose:
The Manager of Behavior and Training is responsible for working together with the Senior Director of Shelter Programs to develop, refine, and implement internal and external standard operating procedures relating to pathway planning, quality of life, animal training, and behavior protocols and programs for Bideawee. This position oversees animal training classes, behavior evaluations for incoming shelter dogs, environmental and social enrichment for shelter dogs and cats, and behavior plans provided to ensure enhanced animal adoptability and welfare. The main goal of this position is to ensure all animals in Bideawee’s care have positive welfare and to identify and target animals at risk of declining welfare or increasing stress to improve their wellbeing. The other goal of the Manager of Behavior and Training is to provide education and training to staff and volunteers so that they too, can carry out training, enrichment, and behavior plans for the animals. The Manager of Behavior and Training will also provide animal adopters with behavioral advice and facilitate adopter and foster parent support.
The Manager of Behavior and Training is responsible for fostering a positive team relationship between the Behavior Department and the departments it works closely with, including Adoptions, Medical, Foster, and Volunteer teams, to ensure that all protocols are benefitting our animals’ welfare the most they can be.
The Manager of Behavior and Training will help educate Bideawee staff and volunteers and foster a team environment to ensure the best welfare of all Bideawee animals. Handling and Behavior expertise begins with a staff that understands all aspects of their positions ultimately lead to the welfare of animals in their care. This position is expected to ensure that the animals are getting the behavioral care and protocols they need.
This is a full-time position with an annual salary of $70,000 to $75,000.
Responsibilities:
Adoption Center Services
- Comply with Bideawee’s Admission Policy as a member of the Admission Evaluation Team and ensure that animals of adoptable temperament are admitted to Bideawee. Ensure the animals admitted are animals that Bideawee has the proper capacity to care for.
- Assist in the management and development of programs to enhance adoptability, increase animal behavior education, decrease length of stay, promote good public relations and ensure the continued progress and growth of the program and initiate annual goals for the department.
- Contribute to all Animal Welfare Panel discussions.
- Adhere to the BAW Animal Quality of Life Standards as well as Bill of Rights.
- Coach Adoption Center Staff and Volunteers on best practices to ensure they are being met for every animal.
- Create and update as needed, enrichment, behavior modification, and training protocols that reflect the needs of the individual animals in Bideawee’s care.
- Supervise, train, coach, and develop staff and volunteers in order to meet departmental goals.
- Maintain animal records and inputs all behavior information on BAW animals into shelter software, and ensure that staff is in compliance.
- Work in partnership with other managers and supervisors to ensure supervisor coverage.
Learning Center Services
- Collaborate in the creation of public awareness about the importance of socialization, training, obedience and good pet parenting.
- Collaborate in creating educational materials for adopters, fosters, and members of the community.
- Conduct training workshops or exercises as needed for the public, staff, volunteers, and fosters.
Customer Service
- Provide behavior and training consultation to BAW clients, visitors and adopters in a timely, friendly and non-judgmental manner.
- Provide training and support to Adoption Center staff on how to consult with people considering relinquishment of their companion animals and conduct adoption follow-up phone calls.
- Provide support to foster parents regarding our foster animals who are in their care.
Volunteer & Staff Training Services
- Develop and present innovative behavior, enrichment and training workshops for Bideawee animals and staff to help promote long-term and healthy relationships with animals.
- Oversee and direct the Behavior Coordinator.
- Train Adoption Center staff and volunteers, in conjunction with Adoption Center Management and Volunteer Management teams, on matters of animal handling, behavior and enrichment. Use trained staff as a resource to enforce basic obedience commands.
- Train qualified staff to evaluate animals for admission in his/her absence.
- Participate in volunteer mentoring.
Administrative
- Reports monthly statistics to the Senior Director of Shelter Programs
- Participate in regular rounds, AWPs, and all meetings that are conducted to help monitor the welfare of Bideawee animals
- Handles money in an honest and efficient manner
Qualifications
- CPDT-KSA (CBCC or CDBC preferred)
- At least two years’ working experience with animal behavior, behavior modification, enrichment and training.
- At least two years working in an animal shelter setting.
- Demonstrable knowledge of temperament testing or evaluation practices.
- Experience in training and counseling of challenging behavior assessment tools
- Must be able to work weekends and some holidays.
- Ability to use Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word for presentations and statistic reporting.
- Ability to travel from site to site, as needed.
- Ability to work within a team but exemplify leadership.
- Ability to take initiative and make mature, team-based decisions.
- Ability to follow established procedures and protocols.
- Excellent public speaking skills and communication skills.
- Ability to represent Bideawee in a professional and positive manner at all times.
- Ability to represent the values of Bideawee by working in a culturally diverse environment and community in a way that fosters understanding and compassion.
- Ability to maintain composure and excel in a fast-paced environment while remaining organized, accurate and handling many tasks.
- Ability to train, provide guidance and take leadership in the organization.
- Ability to contribute to a positive and respectful culture .
Preferences
- Master’s degree in animal related field
- CBCC, CDBC preferred
- Driver’s License in good standing
- Management experience
Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Bideawee is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We continuously strive to place our employees at the center of our thinking and elevate inclusive practices to develop and support a more engaged and productive workforce.
Equal Opportunity
Bideawee is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving the goal of equal employment opportunity for all. Applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions without regard to mental or physical disability, race, creed, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, employment status or any protected federal, state, or local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.