Description

STARTING SALARY: $18.50+ Depending on Experience

Spanish-speaking differential: Additional $1.00 per hour for employees who demonstrate and maintain Spanish language proficiency and are willing to use this skill for Wayside Waifs' business purposes.  

POSITION SUMMARY

The Canine Behavior Center (CBC) Trainer is responsible for creating and implementing behavior modification plans for all dogs that are not yet ready for the main building adoption floor. They will track the daily and overall progress of dogs in the program and provide feedback for determining pathway decisions. They will assist staff and volunteers with behavior training, promoting positive reinforcement and displaying proper dog handling techniques. They will maintain open lines of communication with the Behavior Evaluators and assist when there are safety concerns with a dog.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Work within a team to ensure each dog has a structured behavior plan with set goals. 

• Track progress or regression daily and communicate within the team about dogs’ needs.
• Provide feedback to the CBC manager about dogs in the program to aid in pathway decisions.

1. Make recommendations to staff and volunteers regarding canine behavior issues when necessary.
2. Maintain a close relationship with main building behavior team members by assisting with playgroups, collaborating on Tier 3 and 4 related tasks, and incorporating team members and volunteers as novel people for behavior dogs. 
3. Monitor stress levels of behavior dogs and make changes in plans when warranted. 
4. Discuss medication options for behavior dogs and also ensure the vet clinic has access to provide medical care to behavior dogs when needed. 
5. Monitor all CBC dogs and assist as needed with dogs who are cleared to be handled only by the Behavior team (BE-only dogs).
6. Assist the Admissions department with dogs who pose a potential safety concern.
7. Provide information to all staff on graduates of the CBC, including a maintenance plan.
8. Provide an outlined plan for maintaining or developing skills for behavior dogs in foster homes. 
9. Provide a follow-up schedule for all CBC graduates and track the success of our adopted behavior dogs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/ KEY COMPETENCIES

• Thorough understanding of canine behavior, behavior modification, and canine body language
• Possess the ability to relay information and make decisions in an objective manner
• Ability to use safe and humane dog handling techniques for both fearful, high arousal and potentially aggressive dogs
• Must work well within a team setting as well as independently
• Willingness to work with and train volunteers
• Strong attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work in an emotionally charged environment and have challenging conversations appropriately and effectively
• Possess a clear understanding of the challenges of pathway options in the shelter environment

Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education

• High School diploma or GED
• CPDT- KA or other dog training certificate preferred
• Canine Behavior Modification experience preferred, shelter experience a bonus

Physical

• Ability to lift 50lbs
• Significant amount of standing and squatting during a typical day, exposure to fumes, animal smells, airborne particles, and working both indoors and outdoors 
• Noise level is moderate to high
• Exposure to animal waste
• Potential to be scratched or bitten