Boston Adoption Center - Animal Behavior Specialist

MSPCA-Angell

Job Description

This is a full time 40 hour a week position.

The pay range is $22.00-$26.00 per hour, dependent on skill level and experience.

THE POSITION:

We have an exciting opportunity at our Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center for a Behavior Specialist. The Behavior Specialist will work closely with our shelter team to ensure the behavioral wellbeing of animals in our adoption center. This position plays a vital role in supporting animal welfare, increasing adoptability, and setting both animals and adopters up for long-term success. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Working directly with several species of animals (primarily dogs and cats) to develop and implement individualized behavior modification and enrichment plans

Supporting intake processes by reviewing behavioral histories and conducting evaluations

Participating in euthanasia discussions and decision-making

Providing hands-on training and guidance to staff and volunteers on low-stress handling, body language, behavior plans, and safe animal interactions

Assisting with dog playgroups, socialization, and targeted interventions for animals experiencing more significant behavioral challenges

Supporting successful adoptions through pre-adoption counseling with families on best training practices as well as post-adoption guidance

Collaborate cross-departmentally with adoption, medical, foster, law enforcement, and outreach teams to ensure continuity of behavioral care

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:

Education:

High School Diploma required
Fear Free Certification within 6 months or hire or promotion date.
A valid driver's license and the ability to drive a MSPCA vehicle.

Skills:

Exceptional people skills and the ability to converse compassionately without judgement with people under difficult and stressful circumstances, including the public, coworkers and volunteers.
Physically able to work with and walk large breed, high arousal and sometimes aggressive or fearful dogs in variant temperatures and weather including extreme heat, extreme cold and inclement weather
Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast paced, high stress environment.

WHO WE ARE:

The MSPCA is the largest animal welfare organization in New England- caring for and placing over 12,000 animals annually across our four adoption centers and caring for over 14,000 animals in our community clinics. For our adoption centers, we aim to help the greatest number of animals by upholding an open adoption philosophy and moving pets through the shelter effectively while maintaining a commitment to socially conscious sheltering. For our community clinics we work to provide access to low cost veterinary care that helps keep families together with their pets. At our Boston Adoption Center, we care for over 2,000 animals each year with a 92% live release rate. Take a virtual tour of our adoption center!

BENEFITS THAT SUPPORT YOU:

BCBS health insurance
Dental and life insurance
403(b) retirement plan
Tuition reimbursement
Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
Discounts on pet care and pet food
Free on-site parking