POSITION SUMMARY

Animal Behavior and Enrichment Specialist develops, implements, and monitors all programs intended to identify, correct, and prevent problem behavior in dogs and cats. Assesses behavior of all shelter animals. Socializes, trains, and starts behavior modification if appropriate. Makes recommendations on outcomes of animals. Designs and implements programs that improve shelter animals' quality of life and successful outcomes. Develops and provides behavior education for staff, volunteers, and the community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop assessment program for evaluating rehoming and other outcomes for shelter cats and dogs.
2. Walk the shelter at least once per day to monitor behavior of Bernalillo County Animal Care Services (BCACS) animals. Ensure that behavior observations are documented appropriately in animal management database system and other tools as required by shelter policies and procedures. Assist BCACS foster program with behavior concerns.
3. Develop, implement, and perform pain-free behavior modification and training programs for shelter dogs and cats. Develop policies related to prioritizing which dogs receive services based on available resources.
4. Responsible for program evaluation, including statistical data collection, entry, analysis, preparation, and presentation.
5. Assess animals and make recommendations for kennel movement, disposition, including suitability for adoption, rehabilitation, transfer, or euthanasia. Intervene early with services, BMOD, etc. when necessary.
6. Assess owned animals for acceptance by BCACS and/or a training/behavior modification plan to assist the dog owner in retaining ownership.
7. Monitor behavior and BMOD progress of the animals at BCACS, make adjustments as necessary.
8. Develop and present materials on established and proposed behavior programs for the organization.
9. Participate in the development and implementation of on-going training for volunteers as well as BCACS staff.
10. Develop and implement behavior enrichment programs for staff and volunteers to prevent problem behaviors, and to improve BCACS animals' emotional wellbeing and adoptability. Ensure that programs contain variability to limit animals' boredom.
11. Assist in preparing and maintaining budget for the behavior programs.
12. Promote humane awareness toward the care and treatment of animals through training, education and outreach programs.
13. Design and implement obedience training program for shelter dogs.
14. Perform duties of lower-level classifications, as needed, to provide adequate coverage, animal care and customer service; work as a team with department staff to ensure cross functionality and back up support as needed.

*The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of all employees assigned to this job.

1. Associate's Degree in Animal Health and Behavior, Animal Science, Business Administration, or related field, and three (3) years of work experience performing behavior assessments, animal training, animal home placement, animal behavior/behavior modification, or animal care community outreach. Any equivalent combination related to education and/or experience may be considered for the above requirements.

PREFERENCES

1. CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP and/or other behavior certification
2. and/or Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP)
3. and/or International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) certification
4. Attain NM Euthanasia Certification within 6 months of hire date.

1. Employee must successfully complete the post-offer employment drug and medical examination and background investigation.
2. Employee must comply with the safety guidelines of the County.
3. Employee must complete required FEMA training(s) as assigned to position.
4. Employee must possess a valid New Mexico driver's license by employment date and retain a valid license while employed in this position.

1. Duties are performed indoors, and outdoors. When duties are performed outdoors, employee may be subject to various weather conditions. A county vehicle may be used.
2. Indoor duties are performed in a temperature-controlled environment.
3. Indoor duties are performed in a facility setting with cement, carpeted or tiled floors.
4. Outdoor duties are performed on surfaces which may be even or uneven, wet, or dry. Stairs may be required in performing indoor or outdoor duties. Outdoor duties may be performed on natural ground, asphalt, concrete, snow, ice, or mud.
5. Work hazards or potential work hazards include use of vehicles, stairs, exposure to extreme weather conditions and driving in adverse weather conditions.
6. Worker may be exposed to animals, aggressive animals, animal bites, disease, odors, animal dander, animal byproducts and chemicals.
7. Worker performs duties alone or as part of a team.
8. Worker is exposed to intermittent noise or vibration factors, particularly when driving County vehicle over unsurfaced roads.
9. Worker may be required to be on-call as necessary to include evening, weekends, and holidays.

County of Bernalillo is an equal opportunity employer.