Behavior Technician

Friends For Life

Job Description

Job description: BEHAVIOR TECHNICIAN
About Friends For Life:
Founded in 2002, Friends For Life introduced the no-kill shelter model to Houston – saving animals regardless of their breed, age or condition. Houston-grown, we’re here to help our neighbors care for the pets they love. We save animals regardless of their origin, breed, age or condition. Many shelters refuse strays, animals from private citizens, or even entire breeds. Instead, we are guided by a simple principle: Every Animal Matters.
We’re not finished until every animal has a safe home. Until then, we'll be innovating, improving, and tracking results to discover the most potent methods for saving lives, and we're in search of a vital team member to become a part of our unwavering mission to make animal lives better.
Job Summary:
As a behavior technician, you will play a critical role in maintaining the behavioral and emotional well-being of the animals in our shelter programs. This position is responsible for attending to the needs of shelter resident animals, as well as those in foster and adopter care, and those in the care of members of the public, both directly and indirectly through humane education and consulting. Behavior technicians report to the behavior and training manager and will play a vital role in training, behavior modification, consulting, and data management, while staying in alignment with our organization's core values.
Friends For Life’s core values: courage, integrity, compassion, team-oriented, innovation, evidence-driven
Key Responsibilities:
Boarding animals behavioral goal administration
Update boarding animals’ behavior and training goals spreadsheet to manage problem behaviors, improve marketability, and reduce stress
Collect data regarding shelter resident animals from goals spreadsheet, staff/volunteer discord servers, and direct interface with team members
Conduct basic manners training, socialization, and behavior modification with dogs and cats, as directed to meet biweekly goals
Work with Animal Care and Enrichment team to provide structured enrichment to cats and dogs boarding at the facility, e.g. preparation of foraging toys, sensory enrichment, playdates, etc.
Foster, Adopter, and TOS consults
Provide ongoing remote and in-person behavioral counseling and training to fosters, adopters, and members of the public
Travel to in-home behavior consultations, as needed
Conduct meetings between potential adopters/fosters and their resident companion animals and shelter program animals
Training classes: foster, adopter, BV
Conduct volunteer training both one on one and in group sessions
Provide weekly slots for volunteer training and assessment
Supervise volunteers in their direct interactions with animals and visitors and ensure volunteers have a pleasant experience to promote retention
Conduct behavior enrollment evaluations
Provide counseling and enrollment intervention, where applicable
Travel to off-site locations to evaluate and pull animals for enrollment
Program animal behavior data management
Provide information regarding program animal behavioral history for adoption, foster, and marketing purposes
Maintain detailed behavior case notes
Qualifications:
CCPDT, PPAB, or IAABC trainer certified/accredited or credential-ready, with an intent and expectation to become an independently certified behavior consultant, through training with the FFL Behavior and Training Manager and participation in continuing education activities.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Discord, and ShelterLuv data management software a plus
Communicates well with other team members in-person and through text, email, and other platforms
Driven towards conscientious data management
Strong organizational and project management abilities.
Creative thinker with the ability to generate innovative ideas and campaigns.
Passion for animal welfare and dedication to the mission of Friends For Life.
Ability to work in a diverse, fast-changing environment and the ability to be flexible, resourceful and maintain a positive attitude in the face of challenging circumstances
Strong organizational skills; ability to multitask; time-management is key
Superb interpersonal skills; excellent teamwork; ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with others
Working condition
Candidates must be able to work one weekend day and some holidays.
Shelter work requires flexibility and the willingness to work outside ones scope, including areas to which you are not assigned, when the need arises.
What We Offer:
Benefits include paid time off, a medical stipend, and pet benefits.
Opportunities for professional development and growth.
The rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of animals.
A positive and supportive work environment.

Join us and make a difference!

Interested candidates should submit their resume and cover letter through Indeed.

Friends For Life is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

Together, we can create a world where Every Animal Matters.

This is a full time job