Canine Behavior and Outreach Trainer

Schedule: Sunday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Summary

The Behavior Outreach Trainer is a member of the Canine Behavior Team who focuses on creating training plans and running daily behavior modification sessions for dogs in Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC)'s care. You will also be designing and providing low-stress handling training to staff and volunteers, and conducting training sessions for our staff, volunteers, fosters, and adopters to learn how to gently modify challenging behaviors. ACC uses only force-free, reward-based training methods.

Our ideal candidate is an experienced behavior modification trainer, CPDT-certified, and excited to take on the unique challenges and rewards of working with shelter dogs. You also enjoy sharing your skill and knowledge with others in order to improve quality of care in the shelter, decrease stress, and help keep dogs in their homes. You are self-motivated and able to work independently. You are passionate about animal welfare and improving the quality of life for sheltered animals, and you are excited to be part of a progressive shelter enrichment program.

Essential Job Functions:

• Create and conduct behavior and handling trainings for staff, volunteers, and fosters.

• Design training plans for specific dogs in our care.

• Assist foster parents, adopters and surrender prevention clients with problem solving behavior modifications.

Salary and Benefits:

$28/Hour

ACC values work/life balance and offers a generous paid-time-off (PTO) package that includes vacation time, birthdays off, personal days and sick pay. We also value physical and mental health by offering a great open access Cigna medical, dental and vision insurance at a low premium to our employees as well as 401K and Pension, Life Insurance. We also have on-the-job training for 2-4 weeks, periodic all staff trainings to include safety, DEI, cross training, and other growth opportunities.

Because ACC is a nonprofit, employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness, cancellation, and/or consolidation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). Created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF allows borrowers who work full time for nonprofits and government agencies to have their outstanding debt forgiven tax-free on Federal Direct Loans, after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

Please see the attached Job Description and Benefits Flyer for more details.

Qualifications:

Familiarity with and ability to provide low-stress handling and force-free training. A thorough understanding of positive reinforcement and a training methodology rooted in a scientific understanding of how dogs learn. Ability to make sound judgments and work independently in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands. Ability to foster a cooperative, encouraging and positive work environment with staff as well as volunteers. Strong communication skills. The ability to remain pleasant, calm and objective in all situations. Must be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds.

Education and Work Experience:

CPDT-KA (or certification in progress) required. Bachelor's degree or comparable work experience. Experience with and/or knowledge of creating training plans to address a range of behavior challenges. 2-3 years of experience working hands on in a shelter with dogs preferred.