Canine Behavior & Enrichment Manager

KC Pet Project

Job Description

Position: Manager of Canine Behavior and Enrichment
Department: Behavior and Enrichment
Reports to: Director of Canine Operations
Category: Full-time; Exempt
Salary range: $45,000-$55,000
Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday. Some holidays are required
Supervises: Behavior and Enrichment Team Members and volunteers

Job Purpose:
The Manager of Behavior and Enrichment drives the success of KC Pet Project’s canine behavior and enrichment program through strategic and operational leadership, instilling a culture of compassion, innovation, objective problem solving, and empowering team members to partner with and collaborate with other departments, to meet and exceed departmental goals. The Behavior and Enrichment department is made up of a dynamic, focused team of staff and volunteers (approximately 5+ team members). This position is responsible for the overall training and behavioral health of canines under the care of KC Pet Project, as well as oversight of daily training programs and supervision of behavior and enrichment. This position will work closely with our Canine Care and Adoptions team who provide daily care and handling for dogs, our Rescue & Transport Coordinator, and Canine Foster Coordinators to help establish the best placement and pathway options for dogs in our facility. This position will lead in educating staff, volunteers, adopters, and community members, on canine behavior and serve as a liaison for the department and the organization.

Daily Duties and Responsibilities:
Responsible for being an exemplary role model in customer experience excellence. Make a good appearance, maintain a positive attitude, and deal tactfully and effectively with the public. Represent KC Pet Project in a professional, caring, and solution-oriented manner while embracing our “Solutions, Not Excuses” and “One Mission, One Team” mottos.
Deploy team building and professional development strategies to create and retain a high-performing team, and ensure all team members, both staff and volunteers, are properly trained, adequately utilized and provided opportunities for continued growth.
Process and maintain all paperwork, daily record keeping for dogs handled, and other essential processes with accuracy and attention to detail. Ensure staff participation in record keeping practices.
Provide ongoing management, accountability, coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback for team members, both staff and volunteers, to elevate performance, support personal growth, and act as exemplary representatives of the organization.
Demonstrate progressive leadership, actively contribute to reaching department and organization goals, and ensure completion of assigned department tasks and responsibilities in an efficient and effective manner.
Ensure exceptional levels of care and handling, creating an enriching environment for shelter dogs. Oversee daily evaluation of dogs for correct pathway placement, and ongoing evaluation of dogs with behavior concerns. Develop and implement enrichment/behavioral modification plans, as appropriate, and in alignment with KC Pet Project’s philosophies and provide ongoing evaluation of progress.
Ensure appropriate standards of care and attention are executed for the daily playgroup program, enrichment programs, dog walking program, training classes and other learning/training opportunities.
Provide pre-adoption behavior counseling to potential adopters of dogs with behavior concerns. Ensure adopters, fosters, and community members receive behavioral support to help keep pets in their homes with their families.
Maintain an extensive knowledge of internal shelter policies and processes, community resources, animal control ordinances, local and state regulations, and appropriate standards of care. Stay up to date on organization needs and capacity to proactively align support.
Adhere to and ensure compliance with all KC Pet Project organizational policies and procedures and safety guidelines and procedures.
Participate and lead in the decision-making process for end-of-life considerations for dogs.
Communicate regularly with the Director of Canine Operations about departmental issues.
Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned, or needed.

Performance Factors and Necessary Skills:
Accountability: Assume responsibility for successfully accomplishing objectives and set high standards of performance for self and others. Take personal ownership in the department’s positive and negative outcomes of work and take action to improve circumstances without instructions to do so.
Communication and Contact: Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside of the organization, have tact and excellent communication and customer service skills. Maintain confidentiality and convey a positive and professional image to the public and employees.
Attendance and Dependability: Be an example of punctuality, report to work at the scheduled time, and ensure the department is ready to open on time each day. Can be depended on to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner, and follow through on commitments.
Commitment to Excellence: Actively look for opportunities for improvement and growth within daily operations and processes. Challenge the status-quo, openly embrace change, and develop opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Demonstrate the highest level of care and compassion for all team members, community members, and animals.
Working Knowledge and Adaptability: Working knowledge of dog handling and behavior, including pets with challenging temperaments and with severe health conditions. Capability to manage a changing population and conform to varying levels in intake, and community needs.

Working Conditions
Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, high noise levels, extreme temperatures, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects. Must be able to lift up to 50 lb., sustain long periods of standing, bending, stooping, reaching and animal handling and restraint for various activity levels of animals in an animal shelter-type setting. Must be able to effectively manage and navigate the emotional aspects of animal welfare.

Qualifications and Requirements
A minimum of two years of experience in a supervisory capacity with demonstrated success, and a minimum of two years in hands-on animal care/handling is required.
A minimum of three years of experience in dog training/behavior fields is highly desirable and/or any combination of experience or skills necessary for this position.
Certification from IAABC, CCPDT, KPA, or other relevant animal behavior certifying organization, degree in animal behavior is preferred.
Basic Computer Literacy (Microsoft Office, ability to learn PetPoint Database system, etc.)
Possession of a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

This is a full time job