Canine Behavior Specialist

KC Pet Project

Job Description

Position: Canine Behavior Specialist
Department: Behavior & Enrichment
Reports to: Behavior & Enrichment Manager
Salary: $19.00-$21.00/hour
Category: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Supervises: Volunteers supporting the department
Schedule: 5 shifts weekly. Some weekends and holidays are required.

Job Description
The Canine Behavior Specialist is a collaborative role that supports canine welfare through behavior observation, enrichment planning, and staff and volunteer training at KC Pet Project. This position conducts daily playgroups and works cross-departmentally to model humane, fear-free, positive-reinforcement–based handling practices. The Canine Behavior Specialist objectively monitors the canine population to inform pathway planning and welfare-based decision-making. The role develops and implements behavior and enrichment plans to support mental wellbeing for dogs in the shelter, in foster homes, and post-adoption. This position also leads training for staff and volunteers to ensure consistent application of modern, evidence-based behavior practices.

Key Responsibilities:
Model, implement, and promote fear-free, positive-reinforcement–based handling practices across all canine interactions, with the primary objective of reducing Fear, Anxiety, and Stress (FAS) and improving overall canine welfare outcomes.
Represent KC Pet Project in a professional, polite, and enthusiastic manner.
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.
Lead and support canine enrichment and behavior programs that improve quality of life, reduce stress, and promote successful outcomes.
Provide guidance, training, and ongoing support to staff and volunteers to ensure safe, consistent handling and behavior practices.
Assess canine behavior and contribute to pathway placement, behavior planning, and welfare-based decision-making, including participation in welfare discussions involving humane euthanasia and assisting with safe, humane handling when euthanasia is the determined outcome.
Partner across departments to support dogs with medical, behavioral, or handling needs and to improve overall shelter operations.
Support adopters and community members through behavior education and post-adoption guidance.
Maintain clear documentation, communicate effectively with leadership, and uphold organizational policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
Handle and restrain dogs with handling sensitivities to assist medical and intake staff in providing medical treatment and appropriate vaccinations when needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Performance Factors and Necessary Skills:
Demonstrates openness, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning, particularly in animal behavior, handling, and shelter best practices.
Communicates effectively and professionally with staff, volunteers, adopters, and the public, including the ability to navigate emotionally charged and difficult conversations with empathy and clarity.
Works effectively both independently and as part of a team; provides and accepts real-time feedback and supports the training and success of volunteers.
Demonstrates a strong understanding of canine behavior and body language in a shelter environment and consistently applies safe, humane handling techniques with dogs of varying temperaments and medical needs.
Performs effectively in a high-volume, fast-paced, and high-stress environment while adapting to changing populations, intake levels, and community needs.
Maintains strong organizational, time management, and decision-making skills, balancing competing priorities in the best interest of the animal and the organization.
Demonstrates professionalism, reliability, attention to detail, and basic computer proficiency, including the ability to learn shelter management systems.
Working Conditions:
Most functions will be performed at the Kansas City Campus for Animal Care. 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/Educational Background:
High school diploma or equivalent.
Demonstrated training and experience using modern, science-based, humane dog handling and training methods.
Certification from IAABC, CCPDT, KPA, or a comparable, recognized certifying body that promotes modern, evidence-based, humane training practices, or equivalent education or hands-on experience in dog training or behavior (preferred but not required).
At least one year of animal shelter experience required.
At least one year of animal shelter behavior or dog training experience preferred.
Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Bilingual or multilingual abilities are preferred but not required.
Please note: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.