Temporary Behavior and Training Counselor

Job DetailsJob Location: Foothills Animal Shelter - Golden, CO 80401Position Type: Full-Time/Part-TimeSalary Range: $24.00 - $25.00 HourlyPOSITION SUMMARY 

The behavior & training counselor conducts pre-adoption behavior support sessions with shelter dogs and cats. The position supports the behavior manager in the development of a post-adoption behavior resource program and conducts follow-up calls for all animals participating in behavior support services. The behavior & training counselor supports staff and volunteers in understanding complex animal behaviors in order to provide appropriate adoption counseling to clients; maintains organized and concise documentation pertaining to program sessions and counseling conversations; and supports the animal intake and assessment coordinators in the accomplishment of daily tasks including assessments, enrichment, and animal introductions.

MISSION 

Foothills Animal Shelters mission is: Providing support to our surrounding community through education, services that strengthen the human-pet bond, and humane care for the animals we serve.

VALUES 

All employees and volunteers are expected to embody the Shelters Values which are to have honesty and integrity in all that we do, with the following values as our guide:


Stewardship: Assume responsibility and ownership for our actions within our shelter and our community.
Positive Culture: Create a safe, supportive environment for the health, wellbeing, and development of staff and volunteers.
Openness: Nurture an innovative, inclusive, and creative environment that cultivates conversations and relationships that actively work towards the future.
Team Oriented: Build relationships, embrace teamwork, and foster collaboration in pursuit of our Mission.


RESPONSIBILITIES 


Creates and implements behavior modification and/or management strategies for shelter dogs, including fearful or anxious behavior, dog/dog interactions and/or reactivity, resource guarding, and impulse control.
Alerts the department manager or director of concerns or changes in animal behavior that may preclude their continued participation in a behavior program. Actively participates in daily rounds and case studies, provides recommendations and timely updates.
Administers medication to animals on behavioral pharmaceuticals. Acts as primary observer of impact of medication on animals behavior and performance and provides timely feedback to veterinary team and the director of animal behavior and sheltering to support appropriate dosage and maximized benefit.
Strive to minimize length of stay of shelter animals and works creatively to match shelter animals with special needs to appropriate homes.
Identifies and coordinates enrichment opportunities for long-term residents including court hold and protective custody animals, animals under bite quarantine, and those housed in administrative offices. Works closely with animal intake and assessment coordinators to accomplish daily goals. 
Facilitates adoption counseling for shelter animals with an emphasis on behavior support enrollees and animals with behavior waivers. Provides professional, thoughtful, and necessary conversation to ensure each animals needs are understood and strategized.
Models and fosters a supportive, inclusive, and judgement-free environment within the shelters adoption and behavior programs.
Conducts post-adoption follow up calls as needed; provides counseling support to adopters for known and emergent behavior concerns.
Works closely with evaluations team to assess incoming dogs as needed and identify and mitigate behavior concerns immediately.
Participates in and supports animal intake and assessment coordinators in conducting behavior assessments for the shelters dogs and cats and provides recommendations for placement. Acts as a mentor for the behavior team offering training and guidance to all team members.
Supports special projects as requested including data collection, photography, adoption descriptions, and other efforts to promote FAS.
Provides training and support to Shelter staff and volunteers in safe dog and cat handling, dog and cat behavior, and enrichment.
Works closely with advanced volunteer dog and cat handlers by offering daily guidance and support.
Supports the foster department by providing behavior training to foster families and troubleshooting behavior concerns as they arise in the foster home.
Coordinates and supervises dog/dog interactions for assessment, enrichment, behavior change and/or adoption counseling. 
Using the Shelters animal management database, create animal profiles, document behavior progress and evaluations, and document pre- and post- adoption counseling support.
Assists and supports the Shelters transfer program.
Responds to both individual and shared behavior team email and voicemail in a timely manner.
Triages urgent behavior concerns in the absence of department l