Certified Dog Trainer, Behavior Modification

Founded in 1868, Oregon Humane is the Northwest's oldest and largest animal welfare organization with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. We are working toward our vision of a world where all animals are treated with compassion, kindness and respect. With campuses in Portland and Salem, Oregon Humane is an Oregon-based nonprofit that relies on donor support for its adoption, education, medical and humane law enforcement programs.

About the role

The Training & Behavior department consists of two teams, one which focuses on public training classes for canines and felines and one which focuses on providing behavior modification programs for canines and felines housed in our Behavior & Rehabilitation Center. Both teams focus on helping animals and people by providing expert care and education. Through their work we prepare the animals to succeed, find them new homes and continually support them on their new journey with the goal of enhancing the bond between owner and pet. Additionally, the T&B department provides training, education and programs to staff and volunteers on subjects such as body language, tools of the trade, enrichment, handling etc.

Working under the guidance of the Canine Behavior Modification Manager, carries out behavior modification plans/protocol for the dogs residing in the BMod Center at the BRC. Performs pre- and post-adoption consultations and training sessions with the public for graduates of the program. Provides training and coaching to staff, volunteers, and students to assist with the behavior modification program. Presents and promotes the program wherever needed including but not limited to media broadcasts, public presentations, tours, and more.

Responsibilities

Personal Leadership

• Consistently strives to exceed expectations; demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and the ability to maintain positive relationships and composure, even under difficult circumstances.
• Maintains high ethical standards, including exhibiting behaviors and actions that embrace and align to our organization and customer service values, while treating all people with respect and dignity.
• Demonstrates an awareness of individual personal strengths and development needs, modeling non-defensive behavior and openness to feedback; builds a culture of feedback and learning.

Learning

• Contributes to regular dialogue and accountability with the leadership team and across the organization to review progress and course correct if necessary.
• Utilizes data and insights to identify, understand and articulate the key inputs and metrics that tell the story of the organization/team strategy and its progress.
• Builds appropriate feedback loops to measure if we are meeting key milestones and if the impact planned is being felt across the organization.

Influence & Representation

• Communicate effectively to executive and other stakeholder groups to ensure they are informed and able to actively engage.
• Liaise with and maintain productive relationships with all stakeholders, including other departments, and donors; build mutually rewarding professional relationships inside Oregon Humane at all levels.
• Leverage our best practices externally and grow Oregon Humane’s reputation as a leader in the animal welfare space.

Primary Responsibilities

• Hands-on implementation of Behavior Modification, training, and enrichment for all dogs in the BMod program in the BRC and in OH locations.
• Develops, recognizes, and motivates with hands-on training and coaching for staff, volunteers, students, and the public in relation to our BMod program.
• Perform pre- and post-adoption support with phone consultations, showings, dog-to-dog introductions, trainings, and adoptions for interested clients.
• Present training curriculum in a happy, enthusiastic, engaging, and informative manner.
• Assist clients in establishing realistic training and behavior goals and address issues of client non-compliance in a professional manner.
• Works closely and smoothly alongside the Animal Care, Admissions, Customer Care, and Shelter Medicine teams.
• Maintains accurate and complete records of the training and behavior services provided.
• Manage people, dogs, and the environment for everyone’s safety.
• Keeps up to date about emerging trends in animal behavior and learning theory.
• Recommends alternative options (transfer to a rescue, behavior foster, euthanasia etc.).
• Role models professionalism, mutual respect, and has a positive attitude during all interactions.
• Maintains and builds positive relations between all OH departments.
• Assists with donor-related events, tours, and PR situations when needed.

Supervisor Responsibility

• None

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective and thought. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. You are also encouraged to address how your professional and lived experience, scholarship, mentorship and/or service will contribute to Oregon Humane.

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• 3 years animal shelter experience or equivalent
• Certified Professional Dog Trainer able to maintain professional certification as a condition of employment.
• 2 years work experience as an instructor in dog training classes or doing private trainings.
• Have a solid working knowledge of Behavior Modification, Learning Theory, Marker training, body language, and enrichment techniques.
• Able to demonstrate a high degree of independence, initiative and organization.
• Open to new and improved methods of animal behavior training and willing to continually expand knowledge base.
• Excellent animal handling skills and knowledge of breeds, behavior, care and housing, common health problems and disease symptoms.
• Able to exercise sound judgment and maintain a professional demeanor during all interactions with the public, partner agencies, donors, staff and volunteers.
• Proficiency using the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills - able to communicate with a diverse population in a consistently informative, respectful and professional manner.

Preferred

• 5+ years hands-on experience with dogs with complex behavioral needs.

Work Environment

This position interacts and collaborates with all levels of the organization, including Oregon Humane staff, executive team members, donors, general public, external vendors, volunteers, and supporters. Contact and communication is carried out through face-to-face, telephone and digital interactions. Excellent customer service skills are essential to success. Communication must be clear, understandable, professional and respectful in all circumstances.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office and medical center/animal shelter environment.
• Travel between the two campuses may be required.
• Working at both campuses may be required.
• Occasional weekend and evening work may be required.
• Animal contact and related injuries may occur.
• Noise exposure varies and sometimes includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations.
• Pace of work is active and demanding, requiring a high degree of multitasking and ability to adapt to changing priorities while managing concurrent projects/tasks to completion.
• Contact with angry or emotional people may occur.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional lifting and moving of inanimate objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Occasional pushing and pulling of carted items weighing up to 100 lbs.
• Occasional moving items above shoulder level.
• Occasional use of hands and arms at or above shoulder level.
• Prolonged standing, sitting and/or stooping may occur.
• Occasional climbing and bending.
• Must be able to lift, move, restrain, guide, or manage an animal weighing up to 150 lbs. on a leash on a regular basis.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for prolonged periods.
• Ability to respond and perform life-saving techniques in an emergency.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Paid Time Off + Sick Time + Holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Professional Development Opportunities
• One free Oregon Humane adoption / year
• Perks & Discounts