Behavior and Transfer Coordinator

Nevada Humane Society

Job Description

Want to work for a progressive, effective, and innovative lifesaving animal shelter caring for nearly 10,000 animals a year?
Join our team at the Nevada Humane Society as a Behavior and Transfer Coordinator at our Reno Campus.

We are proud to be a high save organization and are looking for individuals who enjoy working with people as much as working with animals.

Help us care for our animal population daily and match families with a new best friend.

We offer a fast-paced environment with competitive pay, and a free medical benefits package!

This position will start at $20.00 per hour and may be negotiated based on the candidates' qualifications and relevant certifications.

Our Behavior and Transfer Coordinator will:

Assess the behavioral health of animals entering the shelter; support the wellbeing of housed animals through training, enrichment, and behavior intervention; and educate staff, volunteers, and the public on topics related to animal handling, welfare, and behavior.

The Behavior and Transfer Coordinator plays a crucial role in aligning these goals with NHS’s mission under the supervision of the Behavior and Transfer Manager and the Director of Operations.

The Reno/Tahoe region is host to a growing population of motivated professionals who work hard but value a work life balance and lean into the numerous outdoor recreational opportunities of the region.

Sweeping ski and snowboard vistas pair with stunning water experiences at nearby Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake, complemented by numerous hiking, biking and park amenities – together these options make an active day in the valley or in the nearby mountains a matter of which terrain you want to experience.

In fact, Reno was named by Outsider Magazine as the #1 Happiest Place to Live in the United States in 2023, citing the burgeoning craft brewing scene, its annual monthlong summer art festival (Artown), as well as the prolific Burning Man installations made public thanks to its proximity to Burning Man, and the relatively affordable cost of living.

Home to Nevada’s first university, the University of Nevada, Reno, the region comes alive with school spirit. It also boasts an impressive number of community-minded professionals, a number that is growing thanks to blue chip companies like Tesla and Microsoft.

With approximately 300 days of sunlight each year, a diverse economy, and a wealth of options for adventure, the Reno/Tahoe area is a perfect home for a nonprofit professional looking to continue the next chapter of their career in a bustling and welcoming community.

Essential Duties/Functions: The essential duties of the Behavior and Transfer Coordinator include:
Collaborate with the Behavior and Transfer Manager to create and implement enrichment programs and behavior modification plans, including exercise, enrichment, and training to support each animal's behavior needs during their stay, decrease the length of stay, and increase potential for adoption, transfer, or foster care.
Assist with assessments and transfers of animals into and out of NHS’s care.
Assist with identifying animals who need further assessment or support and coordinate care with appropriate departments.
Teach handling, behavior, and training classes to NHS staff and volunteers.
Mentor volunteers by demonstrating proper handling skills, communicating behavior plans, and identifying animals in need of additional support.
Handle all animals safely and humanely using proper restraint techniques and industry best practices.
Assist Dog Team with potential adopter visits and dog-dog introductions for dogs with waivers and restrictions.
Travel between Reno and Carson facilities, including transport of animals.
Assist Behavior and Transfer Manager with other projects as assigned.
In the event of an emergency, assist with the handling and evacuation of animals located at either Nevada Humane Society campus.

General Duties/Functions:
Helps promote fundraising activities and solicit support of agency overall.
Participate in disaster preparedness and response activities for the shelter and community as it pertains to pet related needs.
Interacts with co-workers and volunteers in an efficient and courteous manner to ensure a cooperative team environment amongst all departments.
Maintain and promote a positive public image standard relevant to the Nevada Humane Society.
Professionally represents Nevada Humane Society with customers, donors, and business partners.
Attend and participate in departmental and shelter meetings. Attend educational conferences/seminars as recommended/approved.
Address and/or report any safety hazards or unsafe use of NHS equipment.
Perform other duties as requested by direct management, and/or the CEO.
Working Conditions: Work is performed both in a temperature-controlled animal shelter as well as outdoors onsite or in the field. Exposure to environmental factors is likely (e.g., temperature variations, weather extremes, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal waste, hazardous chemicals or chemicals requiring OSHA MSDS, anesthetics, sharp objects, and potentially hostile persons and/or dangerous or fractious animals).
May require travel within a workday on a regular basis. Work is also performed outdoors and/or offsite for shelter events. Use of personal vehicles may occasionally be required for fieldwork; mileage allowance will be provided.

Equipment Use: Gear common to training industry such as but not limited to treats and treat pouches; clickers; leashes, including slip leads; catch polls and tethers; muzzles; stuffed dogs and other decoys.
Carts and kennels for transporting animals. Telephone, cell phone, computer, printer, scanner, copier, and other office-related equipment. May require use of personal and company vehicles.

Work Hours: This is an hourly position that requires flexibility. While a typical workweek will be 40 hours, days off, or scheduling may change based on the needs of the organization, attendance at events and other functions may require longer hours or holiday, weekend, and evening work.

Mental Demands: Must have the ability to multitask, prioritize and handle various levels of stress.

Position requires excellent organizational skills, as well as a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Must have adequate judgment and self-confidence to handle decision making duties.

Must be able to meet deadlines and delegate appropriately. Must be a team player able to give and receive instructions and work effectively with all staff.

Requires exceptional attention to detail, courteous and professional demeanor, extensive interaction with staff and public, Ability to work with staff and volunteers in a fair and ethical manner.

Requires the ability to think clearly, act quickly and utilize sound judgment in a variety of situations. Requires the ability to be self-disciplined and self-motivated. Must be able to endure long hours and remain alert, energized, and positive.

Physical Demands: This position may involve desk and computer work as well as being active and on your feet for long periods of time.
Position may include (vehicle) travel back and forth to outside venues and other facilities.
Requires willingness and ability to work varied hours and dates, including weekends.
Must be able to work at a fast and efficient pace, remaining professional, patient, and tactful with potentially difficult or emotional people.
Requires lifting heavy objects (up to 50 pounds), bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, and other strenuous activities.
Ability to safely handle, control, and work with animals of all kinds, including large dogs.

Safety Demands: This position is safety sensitive due to the duties in this role that directly affect the wellbeing and safety of employees and the public. This position involves the risk of exposure to animals with unpredictable or aggressive behavior. This position involves exposure to allergens produced by exposure to animal dander, saliva, or fur. This position involves the risk of exposure to zoonotic disease.
This position involves the risk of scratches, bites, and other direct or indirect injury from an animal or other mechanical means used to confine or control an animal.

Desired Experience: Experience in same or related position in a nonprofit setting-preferably animal welfare.
Record of continually increasing responsibilities with measurable results.
A sincere interest in Organization’s mission and vision and increasing visibility within the community.

Qualification Requirements:

High School graduate (or equivalent).
Age 18 years or older.
Minimum one (1) year of animal training/handling experience.
Knowledge of animal behavior and body language, especially dog and/or cat.
Knowledge and practical experience in basic dog training.
Ability to function independently or as a team, while managing multiple projects.
Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy.
Possession of a valid Nevada or California Driver’s license with valid registration and insurance of personal vehicles for all positions that require driving as an essential function.
General Qualifications:

Must have a passion for animals and support the mission of the Nevada Humane Society.
Must treat animals humanely, with love and concern both on and off the job and transmit these values to others.
Must adhere to all local laws regarding personally owned animals.
General knowledge of pet behavior and care. Ability to work with all kinds of animals in a safe and responsible manner.
A positive attitude is a must!
Additional Qualifications that would benefit this position:

Professional certifications (e.g., CPDT-KA, CTC, KPA-CTP, Fear Free)
Understanding of ethological concepts related to social animal behavior.
Experience in animal sheltering and behavior management.
Knowledge and experience with dog training classes.
Understanding of learning theory including operant quadrants and conditioning, classical conditioning, LIMA, and the Humane Hierarchy.
Knowledge of animal diseases and transmission to other animals and people.