Behavior Manager – Boston Adoption Center

About the role

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position. The Behavior Manager works to ensure the behavioral wellbeing of animals at the adoption center while moving animals through efficiently. The role also involves supervising and coaching shelter staff, supporting behavior-related tasks, overseeing evaluations and training plans, and providing pre- and post-adoption support.

Responsibilities

• Act as a resource to shelter staff through effective supervision, training, and coaching
• Support adoption center staff with behavior-related tasks including intake, evaluations, euthanasia decision-making, creating and implementing training and behavior modification plans, low-stress handling techniques, playgroups, and enrichment
• Oversee behavior evaluations and training plans to enhance animal adoptability
• Advise staff on best methods for facilitating appropriate matches for animals with more challenging behaviors
• Provide pre-adoption counseling and hands-on training for prospective adopters
• Offer post-adoption support for families experiencing challenges with their adopted animal
• Collaborate with the behavior team across all shelter locations

Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience working or volunteering directly with animals under the supervision of a behavior professional
• Experience creating and implementing training/behavior modification plans
• Professional certification such as CCPDT-KA, KPA-CTP, IAABC, or equivalent
• Proficiency in Spanish is strongly encouraged

Who We Are

The MSPCA is one of the oldest and most established humane organizations in the world and the largest animal welfare organization in New England, caring for and placing over 11,000 animals annually across four adoption centers. The Boston Adoption Center cares for over 2,000 animals each year with a 92% live release rate. The MSPCA also operates the largest animal relocation program in New England, transporting thousands of cats and dogs from overpopulated shelters nationwide to Massachusetts for medical care, enrichment, and behavior training prior to adoption.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid holidays, sick, and vacation time
• Employee discounts for pet health care
• Free on-site parking

Pay

The salary range for this position is $60,000 – $75,000, with flexibility based on qualifications, experience, and other relevant factors.