Shelter Behavior Assistant

At the San Francisco SPCA, we believe every pet deserves compassionate shelter, high-quality veterinary care, and a loving home. From the moment an animal arrives through intake to the day it finds a forever family, our staff focuses on helping the animal settle in, thrive, and build connections that lead to successful adoptions. Our work goes beyond sheltering animals; we bring the community together and strengthen the human-animal bond.

About the role

We are seeking a Shelter Behavior Assistant to join our Shelter Behavior department. This role provides administrative and operational support to ensure accurate documentation, organization, and coordination of behavior cases for animals in the shelter and foster. It requires strong attention to detail, organizational skills, excellent communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced shelter environment.

Responsibilities

• Behavior Documentation and Records Management
  • Create and maintain accurate, up-to-date behavior records for shelter and foster animals, including assessments, summaries, behavior plans, videos, and supporting documentation.
  • Update animal stages and case information based on trainer recommendations and case progression.
  • Ensure consistent documentation to support behavior case tracking and program evaluation.
• Foster Behavior Support
  • Review and triage behavior concerns submitted by foster parents using established Shelter Behavior protocols.
  • Provide first-line support and guidance to foster parents for common behavior questions and management strategies within the scope of the role.
  • Coordinate and schedule behavior support between foster parents and Shelter Behavior trainers.
  • Document foster communications, recommendations, and follow-up plans in the appropriate behavior record.
  • Escalate complex or urgent behavior concerns to Shelter Behavior Trainers as appropriate.
• Behavior Program Coordination
  • Assist with coordinating logistics of daily Shelter Behavior activities and manage behavior foster requests.
  • Prepare and maintain organized, well-stocked training spaces and materials.
  • Support efficient behavior assessments and training sessions.

Requirements

• Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
  • Work is performed in a busy animal shelter environment.
  • Regular sitting at a computer workstation for data entry and record management (up to 6-8 hours per day).
  • Frequent movement throughout the shelter to support training and assessment activities.
  • Exposure to disinfectants, cleaning solutions, and animal-related environments.
  • Regular exposure to dogs and other animals, including those displaying stress or behavior challenges.
  • Exposure to animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
  • Potential onset of compassion fatigue, moral stress, and burnout related to high caseloads, euthanasia, and high-stress decision-making.
  • Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals.
• Fear Free Shelter certification (or able to obtain within the first 30 days).
• CA Driver’s License and insurable driving record.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of customer service experience.
• At least one year of shelter-based experience or dog training with experience handling all types of dogs and cats (breeds, temperament, and sizes).
• Basic knowledge and practical experience in dog training, knowledge of dog breeds, behavior, and positive reinforcement-based training methods.
• Experience with administrative tasks, documentation, or database management.
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, PetPoint, Box, and SalesForce.
• Available to work weekends, holiday shifts, and overtime as needed.

Qualifications

The SF SPCA requires pre-employment drug testing and criminal background investigations.

Pay

The starting salary for this position ranges between $26.00 - $28.00 per hour, depending on the depth and breadth of experience.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer contribution matching
• Student debt relief program
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Discounts on retail and pet supplies
• Discounts on veterinary care at SF SPCA Mission Campus Veterinary Hospital and Spay/Neuter Clinic