Shelter Animal Trainer

Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation • Walnut Creek, CA, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 1w ago

Job Details Job Location: Joybound - Walnut Creek, CA Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $32.00 - $37.00 Hourly Job Category: Dog Training Description

Position Summary:

At Joybound, we are committed to improving the adoptability of shelter dogs and cats while enriching their experience during their stay with us. The Shelter Animal Trainer assists in reaching Joybound’s goals by creating and implementing behavior modification plans for priority animals, including those who are under-socialized, display leash reactivity, or show behaviors that do not meet Joybound’s adoption criteria.

Key Responsibilities:

Interact and communicate with colleagues, volunteers, and the public in a manner that advances a culture of positivity, professionalism, trust, transparency, empathy, and excellence at Joybound.

Assist in behavior assessment for dogs and cats in the shelter

Assist in the development of adoption take-home plans

Assist with the decision-making process and aid in all aspects of the euthanasia processes.

Assist in the enrichment program for dogs and cats

Assist in humane medical handling of dogs and cats when needed

Help advise Joybound’s foster volunteers with training and follow-up support.

Provide effective training of duties and mentoring to shelter volunteers and staff

Always promote a humane and caring attitude toward all animals.

Always treat people and animals with respect, contribute to effective teamwork, promote staff cooperation, and foster public relations beneficial to Joybound.

Maintain the confidentiality of all information.

Comply with all Federal, State and local safety regulations and laws, as well as Joybound policies and guidelines. Follow established procedures governing safe work practices; and perform duties in a manner that assures the safety of oneself and others.

Perform duties in a manner which encourages attainment of goals, contributions and business for Joybound and its programs.

Promote teamwork, communication, and cooperation with all other departments.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Experience using positive reinforcement as primary method of animal behavior modification and solid understanding of learning theory.

Experience in animal training in a shelter setting. Comfort in coaching groups and one-on-one staff members and volunteers. Previous experience working with a variety of dogs and cats.

Experience in conducting one on one training and behavior modification sessions.

Effective written and verbal communication skills. A self-starter, facilitator, and organizer.

Develop and write treatment plans for shelter animals that can help staff and volunteers keep each interaction consistent and safe.

Experience working independently, as well as contributing effectively as part of a team.

Demonstrated ability to meet goals and objectives.

Good analytical skills and ability to identify and assess issues/opportunities.

Affection for animals, concern for their welfare and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.

Ability to communicate with the public, volunteers and co-workers in a pleasant, courteous, and tactful manner.

Demonstrate maturity, good judgment and professional manner, and personal appearance.

Comfortable and skilled in working with diverse staff, volunteers, and community.

Ability to work with, evaluate, coach, and supervise volunteers effectively and respectfully while holding individuals accountable for their results.

Knowledge of dog and cat breeds, behavior, and current general care and training practices.

All Joybound employees working on our main campus must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for documented medical purposes and/or sincerely held religious beliefs.

Pre-employment background check screening is required.

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma required. BA or AA degree preferred. Degrees in Animal Sciences, Psychology or Sociology are encouraged to apply.

Dog Behavior and Training course of study (e.g., Marin Humane Society Canine Behavior Academy, Academy for Dog Trainers, Karen Pryor Academy, Bergin University) in process or completed or comparable dog training/experience. CPDT-KA or CBCC-KA preferred.

Fear Free Shelter certification or ability to achieve within 90 days of hire

Physical Requirements:

Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens.

Push/pull moderately heavy objects up to 25 pounds.

Lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 30/40/50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain animals when necessary.

Walk dogs weighing up to 150 pounds in a variety of weather conditions.

Kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach above and below shoulder level, grasp and turn objects, stand and/or walk frequently and repetitively throughout each shift.

Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.

Dexterity to handle animals and small objects.

Assess medical and behavior changes in animals using a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, visually and auditory.

Be on your feet for long periods of time.

Sit for short periods of time using a computer.

Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived.

Hours:

Part-time: 40 hours per week. Daily reporting hours and days of the week may vary according to the department’s needs. Weekend and evening work may be required.

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