Behavior and Transfer Coordinator

Nevada Humane Society

Job Description

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Our Behavior and Transfer Coordinator plays an important role in advancing Nevada Humane Society’s mission

As a Behavior and Transfer Coordinator, you contribute to Nevada Humane Society’s (NHS) mission by leading behavior assessments and targeted behavior modification efforts that increase adoptability, coordinating safe and strategic transfers to appropriate placements, and compassionately performing euthanasia’s when necessary to prevent suffering and uphold animal welfare standards. Through training, enrichment, and education of staff and volunteers, your work reduces stress and length of stay, promotes consistent and humane handling practices, and supports safe placement outcomes—reflecting NHS’s commitment to care for pets, find them homes, and save lives.

Essential Responsibilities

Position-Specific Responsibilities

1. Review daily list of animals available for transfer from transfer partner Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) and collaborate with relevant NHS departments to assess capacity and suitability for transfer approval.

2. Conduct hands-on behavioral evaluations of animals originating from WRCAS to inform transfer decisions, placement planning, including assessment of fear, anxiety, stress (FAS) levels, behavioral risk factors, available history and other authorized indicators used to determine transfer suitability. 3. Implement behavior assessment and modification strategies by collaborating with the Behavior and Transfer Manager to develop and carry out enrichment, exercise, training, and behavior support plans that reduce stress, improve adoptability, and support positive placement outcomes, including adoption, foster care, and transfer.

4. Collaborate with intake, animal care, and placement teams to conduct behavioral assessments, coordinate transfer placements to rescue network partners, and assist with the safe and appropriate movement of animals into, within, and out of the organization in alignment with modern animal welfare standards and population management needs

5. Monitor animal behavioral health and welfare by identifying animals in need of additional intervention, veterinary evaluation, or humane outcome consideration, and coordinating care plans with veterinary, operations, and leadership teams .

6. Perform or assist with humane euthanasia as assigned, ensuring procedures are carried out compassionately to prevent suffering and uphold animal welfare standards, in accordance with organizational policy, professional best practices, and applicable legal requirements 7. Provide training and instruction to staff and volunteers on animal behavior, low-stress handling, enrichment, and training techniques to ensure consistent, humane, and safe care practices across the organization. 8. Mentor and support volunteers through hands-on demonstration of proper handling techniques, clear communication of behavior and enrichment plans, and identification of animals needing additional behavioral support.

7. Provide training and instruction to staff and volunteers on animal behavior, low-stress handling, enrichment, and training techniques to ensure consistent, humane, and safe care practices across the organization. 8. Mentor and support volunteers through hands-on demonstration of proper handling techniques, clear communication of behavior and enrichment plans, and identification of animals needing additional behavioral support.

8. Mentor and support volunteers through hands-on demonstration of proper handling techniques, clear communication of behavior and enrichment plans, and identification of animals needing additional behavioral support.

9. Handle animals safely and humanely by applying approved restraint methods, Fear Free and low-stress handling techniques, and accurate interpretation of animal body language to reduce fear, prevent injury, and minimize risk to animals, staff, volunteers, and the public. 10. Support adoption and placement efforts by assisting with adopter interactions, counseling, and dog-to-dog introductions for animals with behavioral considerations, ensuring informed, responsible, and safe placement decisions.

11. Transport animals between campuses as needed to support transfers, behavior plans, medical care, and population flow, in accordance with established safety, welfare, and biosecurity procedures 12. Maintain accurate and timely documentation related to behavior assessments, enrichment plans, transfers, euthanasia decisions, and outcomes to support continuity of care, compliance, and performance evaluation. 13. Perform additional behavior, transfer, and animal welfare-related duties as assigned to support operational needs and the organization’s mission.