Summary:
Are you interested in companion animal behavior and want to learn more about providing high-quality care while optimizing welfare for animals in need? Do you thrive in a dynamic and complex environment, where colleagues from all skill levels work together to continually advance the animal behavior field? If so, the role of Behavior Specialist at the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) might be right for you!
Who We Are
The Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC), located in Columbus, OH, is part of the Rehabilitation Services Group, which also includes the Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) in Weaverville, NC, and the Recovery and Rehabilitation Center (R&R) in Pawling, NY. All three facilities provide opportunities for animals to heal after rescue. As they engage in hands-on care, teams prioritize the elevation of our work through ongoing learning, advancing the animal welfare field through research, developing effective, efficient interventions, establishing new best practices and sharing innovations with other organizations nationwide through the ASPCA’s Learning Lab, ASPCApro, publications, and professional and academic conferences. At the CRC, a dedicated team of sheltering, veterinary and animal behavior staff work together to serve animals rescued in ASPCA national cruelty cases and disaster responses.
In addition to their work as part of the CRC team, Behavior Specialists are part of the ASPCA’s larger Animal Behavior team, which includes the Behavioral Sciences Team (BST), the Learning Lab (LL), and the behavior teams at all other ASPCA sheltering facilities. Working within and across teams, ASPCA behavior staff share expertise, use aligned behavior practices, and help advance the ASPCA’s strategic priorities.
What You’ll Do
Behavior Specialists provide compassionate care for the dogs at the CRC by performing behavior evaluations, implementing behavior plans and protocols, providing socialization and enrichment, coaching others on safe handling, and maintaining clear records. They are part of a united team of shelter operations, shelter medicine and shelter animal behavior experts, all dedicated to collaborating with each other to provide balanced, holistic care to all dogs in the care of the CRC.
Ideal candidates for Behavior Specialist will have a keen understanding of applied animal behavior, a solid understanding of animal learning principles, strong low-stress animal handling skills, and exceptional interpersonal skills, including experience successfully coaching people. Success will hinge on the ability to collaborate effectively with behavior, operations and veterinary teammates at the CRC, as well as staff in other departments across the organization.
The Behavior Specialist reports directly to the Senior Manager, Shelter Animal Behavior and has no direct reports.
Where and When You’ll Work
This position reports to the CRC in Columbus, OH.
Schedule will include at least one weekend day, and times available to work a flexible schedule when needed including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays
Ability and willingness to travel up to 25% of the time, as needed, is required for this position.
What You’ll Get
Compensation
Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.
The target range this position is $28.80 - $31.02
Benefits
At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental and optional vision coverage.
Flexible time off that includes vacation time, paid personal time, sick time, bereavement time, paid parental leave, and 10 company paid holidays that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings, including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
Robust professional development opportunities, including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field and so much more.
For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Behavioral Support & Data Collection
Coaching & Behavior Operations
Deployment
Qualifications
Education and Work Experience
Additional Information - Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship Requirements:
Language:
English (Required)Education and Work Experience:
High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience (Required)Job details are sourced from the employer's original posting.
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