Behavior and Animal Care Supervisor

Toledo Humane Society

Job Description

Summary: The Toledo Humane Society’s Rehabilitation Center is a specialized facility dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of dogs rescued from cruelty and neglect. The Rehabilitation Center team works collaboratively to improve each dog’s quality of life and prepare them for successful placement in adoptive homes.

Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Behavior Assessment, Treatment, & Handling:
Schedule and conduct behavior modification sessions and standardized behavior evaluations
Continually monitor animal behavior, collecting information from multiple sources to form a comprehensive picture of behavioral health
Handle fearful, highly aroused and aggressive dogs using low-stress and defensive handling techniques
Provide input on a robust enrichment program, housing changes, the use of psycho-pharmaceuticals, and pathway planning decisions
Plan, supervise and conduct playgroups
Provide socialization and extra enrichment opportunities for specified dogs

Animal Care:
Provide daily care and support for dogs, adhering to THS’s standard operating procedures.
Ensure the comfort and cleanliness of the shelter animal population on a daily basis.
Monitor and help maintain the medical and behavioral health of shelter animals
Assist in the intake and vaccination of newly arrived dogs, ensuring proper documentation and care.
Administer medications to shelter dogs following established protocols and guidelines.

Team Leadership:
Provide coaching and behavior guidance for direct reports, other staff, and volunteers
Supervise animal care and behavior staff at THS’s Rehabilitation Center
Participate in yearly team planning and goal setting; coach direct reports to contribute to the achievement of shared goals
Develop productive, supportive relationships to ensure optimal animal care, transparent communication, and a healthy team culture
In partnership with managers, communicate animal and program updates; welcome staff questions about “the why” behind decisions, both in group and one-on-one settings

Qualifications:
Comprehensive shelter dog behavior knowledge
Strong coaching abilities
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Comfortable making humane euthanasia recommendations for behavior reasons and participating in euthanasia procedures; able to clearly and compassionately answer staff and volunteer questions regarding euthanasia decisions
Good team player; a “people person” who enjoys and excels at collaboration
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment
Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as well as bend, crouch, kneel and move freely to perform responsibilities that include handling potentially dangerous animals in stressful conditions
Available to regularly work 5 days per week, schedule may require working one weekend day; able to work some holidays when needed
Education and Work Experience:
High school diploma or GED required
Minimum of 2 years’ experience working as a professional animal behavior expert, handling, assessing, and treating animals with behavior problems required
Experience working with fearful, aggressive, and difficult to handle dogs strongly preferred
Minimum of 1 year professional or volunteer experience working in an animal shelter strongly preferred
CPDT-KA or -KSA certification required within 1 year of hire
Fear Free Shelter Certification within 60 days of hire

This is a full time job