Job Description
Job DescriptionSalary: $70-85k
Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV), a privately funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit, has been serving people and pets in Silicon Valley since 1929. HSSV is aleader in animal welfare through our lifesaving efforts, community programs, and the many ways we are working to move the animal welfare industry forward.Our mission is to save lives, keep families together, and create a better future for pets and their people.
We are a passionate, high-performing team who believes that collaboration is key to our success. Our best work is achieved by leveraging each others strengths and creating opportunities for professional growth.Join a team that focuses on our key values ofkindness, courage, and impact!
Overview
The Behavior and Training Program Manager is responsible for developing scalable, impactful programs that help more animals findand stay inloving homes. This includes leading behavior-focused training initiatives for staff, volunteers, and adopters to ensure consistent, compassionate animal care grounded in HSSVs commitment to positive reinforcement and fear-free animal handling. A key focus includes overseeing the evaluation of shelter animals and making informed recommendations for placement, foster, or behavioral euthanasia when appropriate. Additionally, this role oversees HSSVs public training business, run in partnership with an external training partner, to ensure high-quality services that help adopters and community members keep pets in homes.
Key Responsibilities
- Partnerclosely withtheDirector to drive department strategic planning andwith the Behavior Team todeliver onoutcomes for behavior and training programs.
- Collaborate across teams tomonitorshelter animals, ensure staff and volunteers follow behavior and training plans, andoptimizeprocesses for efficient operations.
- Support the Adoptions, Owner Surrender,andFosterprograms to help animals find homes or stay in the homes they are in.
- Develop, implement, and continually evaluate the most effective ways toidentifyand report on animal behavior.
- Ensure staff are trained toproperly assessand report behavior observations supported by the creation of SOPs and workflows.
- Driving staff and volunteeralignment with the organization's behavioral euthanasia philosophy, integrating that framework into dailypracticeandmaintainingstandards for safe animal placement within the community.
- Partnerwith the Volunteer Department to ensurevolunteerrecruitment needs are met,overseevolunteers assigned to the department, anddevelop and delivertraining fornew volunteersinall areas/levels of animal socialization.
- Managethe training programand ensure thatinstructors and classesmeet strategic goals forkeeping pets intheirhome and setting adopters up for success.
- Leverage metrics to analyze program outcomes and ensure the successful delivery ofbehavior and trainingprograms.
- Create, proofread, edit,and update behaviorresourceswith support from the BehaviorTeam.
- Maintain behavior related equipment and supply inventory.
- Represent HSSV at industry events, including participation in presentations.
- Other job duties may be assigned as needed.
Requirements
- Must have animalbehaviorexperiencepreferablyin aprogram managementrolewith a broad understanding of animal welfare related operations, programs, andpolicies;managingvolunteersandshelter experience a plus.
- Proven ability to plan, lead, and execute projects successfully.
- A deep commitment to the mission of HSSV to save lives, keep families together, and create a better future for pets and their people.
- Knowledge and strong commitment to using positive reinforcementand fear-freeanimal handlingmethods.Ability toaccurately and objectively develop, implement, perform,and document behavior evaluations on dogs, cats,and rabbits.
- Excellent handling skills of fearful or aggressive dogs, cats, and other domestic animals.
- Demonstrated experience that values and understands the importance of building strong relationships with both people and animals.
- Outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with internal and external audiences and ability to influence outcomes withstakeholders.
- Self-motivated withdemonstratedability to work well without close supervision and to make independent decisions.
- Experience with the use of spreadsheets, word processing, databases, and communication systems such asShelterBuddy, Zoho Desk, etc.
- Ability to lift and carry weights of up to 50-75lbs. from floor to waist level. Ability to kneel on the floor, bend at the waist, reach forward and rotate the upper body. Sit/stand for sustained periods of time. Walk on wet or dry surfaces. Work both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions during both daylight and after dark. Frequent exposure to loud noise, odors, and chemicals. Exposure to animals with unknown history and behaviors.
Work Days and Hours
Hours are flexible and based on organizational need. Will include one weekend day and rotating coverage of holidays.
Candidate Tip
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