Behavior Coordinator - Job Description

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Reports to: Shelter Manager
Direct Reports: None
Full time, hourly position. 
Summary: Behavior coordinator is responsible for the behavioral health and wellness of all dogs and cats at the shelter; crafting and implementing behavior plans, enrichment, and behavior programs both for individual animals and shelter-wide; and upholding the values and mission of the shelter. Must have a willingness to learn, innovate, and implement change. 
Specific duties of Behavior Coordinator include, but are not limited to: 

• Behavior Protocols
  
  • Communicate with management to create, update, and implement behavior protocols for individual animals and for more general, common issues
    
  • Assist with training of new kennel staff, primarily in regards to animal handling and enrichment
    
  • Assist with training of new volunteers interested in participating in our behavior and enrichment programs
    
• Enrichment
  
  • Work with Kennel Manager and Volunteer Coordinator to ensure kennel enrichment takes place each day
    
  • Develop diverse, daily enrichment plan/schedule for all shelter cats and dogs
    
  • Create individualized enrichment plans for dogs and cats needing special care
    
  • Coordinate with kennel staff and volunteers to prepare enrichment activities ahead of time
    
• Oversee and manage behavior of all shelter animals
  
  • Perform a weekly census  ensuring animals are marked with appropriate behavioral attributes, assessments,  and memos in Shelterluv
    
  • Observe, identify, and immediately address animals showing signs of kennel stress and/or behavioral deterioration
    
  • Check and address all Behavior checks submitted by staff daily
    
  • Communicate during weekly one-on-ones with Shelter Director about temperament, needs, plans, and suggestions for shelter dogs and cats
    
  • Be prepared to offer opinion/assessment when an animal is being considered for behavioral euthanasia
    
  • Identify dogs and cats that would benefit from behavioral foster homes
    
  • Create and manage behavior plans for dogs and cats in foster homes that have or develop behavior issues
    
  • Strive to keep Southern Pines on the cutting edge of shelter behavior best practices and new, innovative approaches to managing animal behavior
    
  • Coordinate and oversee daily playgroups
    

• Communication
  
  • Report to Shelter Director regularly and efficiently
    
  • Maintain and promote positive communication with other staff
    
  • Promote good relations between kennel and office staff
    
  • Wear walkie at all times
    
  • Work with Shelter Manager to identify staff members who excel in animal handling, behavior modification, etc.
    
  • Attend weekly one-on-one sessions with Shelter Manager
    
  • Always uphold the shelter’s values and mission statement during interactions with the public and other staff
    
  • Use the knowledge of others in the field when creating, implementing new protocols or plans
    
• Working with volunteers
  
  • Remember that volunteers donate their time, talent, and energy and are not compensated monetarily for their contributions
    
  • Make a commitment to train volunteers: orient them to assigned area, assign work, answer questions, and assist with their needs 
    
  • Greet all volunteers that you see, and thank them for their help. Make them feel like they’re part of the team
    
  • Be mindful of your communication around volunteers; keep internal conversations internal, and only involve volunteers in the conversation when appropriate
    
  • Build relationships with volunteers. Volunteers with an emotional connection will continue to volunteer with us
    
  • Provide feedback to volunteers when they do something well
    
  • Offer encouragement, training, and constructive correction if you volunteers break protocol. Feedback should be non-confrontational and specific
    
  • Request volunteer assistance when you need it by asking volunteers 
    
  • Request volunteer assistance ahead of time by contacting the Volunteer Coordinator  
    
  • Engage with volunteers through the Southern Pines Volunteers Facebook group 
    

Future Goals: 

• Offer behavior support/advice for adopters of Southern Pines’ animals 
  
• Become well-versed in basic obedience training; offer training for our shelter dogs/cats
  
• Work with Volunteer Coordinator to develop a robust volunteer-based behavior and enrichment program