Specialist, Animal Behavior

Location: Bentonville, AR

Pay Range: This position's hiring range is between $23.00-$25.00 per hour. Depending on experience, plus great benefits!

PositionSummary:Training and behavior specialistsare responsible forsuccess towards Best Friends Animal Society's no-killgoal. Specialists workacross departmental linesto enhance animal flow through the pet resource center and effectively lower length of stay of program animals, to support fosters and adopters, to support pet retention and reduce shelter intake, and toincrease live outcomes at our local municipal shelters. Specialists will work to identify programming,resourcesand strategies to increase lifesaving.

Culture Statement and Responsibility:We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust throughauthenticityand followingthrough oncommitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team memberis responsible forcreating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table.Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness and positive influence with each other, our visitors, and volunteers as wellas tothe animals every day.This includes listening, being present, being supportive ofothersand demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict.
• Build enrichment, training and animal management capabilities of the animal care teams, fostersand volunteers through one-on-one coaching and group class work;assistwith specific situations asidentifiedby animal care leadership, with the goal of reducing length of stay and increasing positive outcomes.Empower staff to enhance their ability to provide behavioral support for dogs in our program, both at the pet resource center and in foster care and to enhance their ability to provide post adoption behavioral support.Successfully complete all steps inDogBehavior and Safetypolicyto be able to handle dogs of all categories, up to and including red category dogs. Supportstaff and volunteerevaluationsfor handling ofdogcategoriesup to and includingredcategory dogs.
• Participate in daily population rounds to support the regular review ofprogramanimalsand overall operational efficiency leading to animal outcomes; take lead in executing tasks identified during rounds by end of workday; work cooperatively with other departments to support execution of tasks in long-stay animal adoption plans.
• Proactivelyidentifyanimals with greater risk for extended length of stay and/or kennel stressand workcollaboratively with staff, volunteers and fosters to identify individual dogs in need of additional enrichment/behavioral support and strategize solutions, then develop training and enrichment plans with a goal of assisting animals to be successfully adopted and retained.Identifyadditionalopportunities to supportadoptionplacement through marketing, outings, foster placement.
• Host"Best Friend for a Day"participants from local shelters, providing behavior and training support for the participant, playgroups if appropriate, in and out of kennel enrichment, and capture objective information and videos and pictures to assist the shelter in expediting adoption of participant.Work with community programs team to support owner retention of animals at risk of relinquishment to a shelter due to behavioral challenges.
• Work withteamstoestablishvolunteer opportunities that augment daily operations and maximize lifesaving capacityandto develop strategies for recruitment and retention of care and enrichment volunteers, ensure opportunities are aligned with organizational goals for constituent journey development and ongoing engagement with Best Friends' mission.
• Support basic care such as feeding, cleaning, walking, and medicating animals housed or transported within Best Friends' vehicles, buildings, or facilities; follow all policies and local standard operating procedures when completing daily functions to ensure health and safety standards are upheld.Assistwithday-to-day lifesaving program activitiesincluding pet adoptions, pettransports, foster care, and other activitiesas needed.
• Maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and addressing or communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.

Skills and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GEDand a minimum of2 years' experience working inan animal shelter with dogs of varying sizes,personalitiesand behavioral challenges.
• Dogand cattraining and behavior knowledge and experience to include theory, training techniques, and an interest to pursue continued learning in the field;experience helping dogsand catsmanage/reduce stress and in utilizing management techniques to keep yourself safewhile doing sowithin a shelter environment.
• Bilingual ormulti-lingualskillspreferred.
• General companion animal knowledge, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; ability toidentifyand speak to medical and behavioral characteristics ofdogsand catsincluding medicating, socializing, and basic behavior modification/management techniques.
• Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle all cats and dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; basic ability toidentifyand speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs and cats.
• Ability tospeak on, and professionallyadvocatefor,Best Friends' position on issues, including public speaking,presentations,and consulting.
• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging withthe public,adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with an open adoption process.
• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative toassistin any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until lifesaving outcome goals are achieved.
• Strong interpersonal skills,a teamplayer, personable, professional, and able toget alongwith people fromdifferent backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands
• Proficiencywith Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software (Best Friends usesShelterluv), or desire to learn.

Physical & Other Requirements:

Must be able to:

• Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
• Valid driver's license, meeting Best Friends Animal Society's driver qualification standards; ability totravel-anticipatedto be 10% of time including but not limited to conferences, animaltransportationand shelter support, including overnight stays, when needed.
• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of thedepartmentschedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.