Animal Behaviour and Enrichment Facilitator - Full Time

Animal Behaviour & Enrichment Facilitator - Full Time

37.5  hours per week | Combination of days and evenings

Reporting to the Manager of Behaviour, Calgary Humane Society Behaviour & Enrichment Facilitators ensures that every animal in the shelter is provided with a tailored pathway to success, grounded in science-based behavior analysis and humane care principles. Their role is to efficiently move animals through the shelter, increasing adoptability wherever possible. Their primary role is to assess and address behavioral challenges, articulate clear plans to mitigate risks, and guide staff, volunteers, and foster parents in executing these plans. By tracking progress, making necessary adjustments, and providing education, the team champions the emotional and physical well-being of animals while maintaining high standards of safety and professionalism. This team’s work is essential to advancing animals along their pathways, whether to adoption, foster care, or other placements, including making compassionate recommendations when euthanasia may be necessary.

Core Responsibilities

Behavior Assessment and Pathway Planning

1. Summarize History of Animal’s Behaviour:

• Collect and summarize behavioral history from previous owners, handlers, or other sources.
• If no historical information is available, conduct a socialization session to assess the animal’s behaviour.
• Identify risks, concerns, or training opportunities to enhance the animal’s skill set and increase adoptability within the known history.

2. Interpret Animal Body Language:

• Consistently assess and document animal body language, stress levels, and emotional states to identify risks or barriers to pathway progression.

3. Risk and Barrier Management:

• Define risks or barriers preventing animals from advancing in their pathway.
• Develop clear, actionable plans to mitigate these risks or barriers.
• Use the summary of behaviour to inform the development of an individualized plan.

4. Define and Develop Task/Action-Oriented Plans:

• Create and implement structured plans aimed at mitigating risks and improving the skills and adoptability of each animal.
• Ensure plans are measurable, achievable, and aligned with shelter goals.

Safe Handling

• Ensure human safety during animal interactions by recognizing stress in animals and enforcing appropriate handling techniques amongst staff, volunteers, adopters, and communicating the animal’s behavior effectively to all parties 

Plan Execution and Support: 

• Where necessary/requested, act as a handler and/or observer during medical exams using journaling methods
• Collaborate with and support staff, volunteers, and foster parents in executing behavior management and enrichment plans.
• Ensure all involved parties understand and follow handling techniques, stress reduction strategies, and the overarching pathway plan.•

Progress Tracking and Plan Adjustment:

• Monitor and document each animal’s progress through their pathway.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan and make necessary adjustments to optimize outcomes.

Communication and Coordination:

• Ensure effective communication regarding animal risks, pathway considerations, and plan development/updates with the Manager of Behaviour.
• Collaborate with teams that may be impacted, including Foster, Adoption, and Animal Care, to ensure alignment on pathway decisions and execution.

Documentation and Communication:

• Maintain accurate records of behavior history, observations, and plans in the shelter database.
• Clearly communicate animal behavior, risks, and recommendations to staff, volunteers, foster parents, and potential adopters.
• Recommendations that restrict an animal from certain homes (e.g., no dog home, no child home) will be at the discretion of the Manager of Behaviour.

Open Adoption Approach:

• Provide detailed information on the animal’s observed and known behaviour to allow Foster and Adoption teams to make informed placement decisions.
• Support potential adopters in understanding an animal’s needs, behavioral tendencies, and any ongoing training or management plans.

Take Direction from Manager of Behaviour:

• Execute plans and tasks assigned from rounds and case management.
• Work with volunteers, foster, adoption, and foster parents at the direction of the Manager of Behaviour to ensure consistent implementation of behaviour and enrichment strategies.

Outline Class Recommendations and Post-Adoption Consult Topics:

• Identify key training topics for adopters to enhance successful transitions.
• Develop recommendations for behavior classes or additional resources tailored to the specific needs of adopted animals.
• Ensure adopters receive guidance on managing known behaviors and promoting continued behavioral development.

Training and Education

1. Staff and Volunteer Training:

• Educate staff, volunteers, and foster parents on animal behavior, body language, and effective handling techniques.
• Deliver presentations and training sessions to enhance understanding of behavior modification and stress management strategies.

2. Public Education:

• Respond to behavior-related inquiries from the public via email and telephone.
• Provide guidance on animal behavior and training to potential adopters and community members.

Program Development and Maintenance

1. Enrichment Programs:

• Design and implement individualized enrichment plans to improve animals’ quality of life while in the shelter.
• Ensure all enrichment plans align with CHS policies and standards.

2. Resource Management:

• Develop, maintain, and update departmental materials and resources to ensure consistent application of behavior protocols.

Core Competencies

• Demonstrated understanding of animal behavioral science and how to apply this knowledge humanely when developing and implementing training and enrichment plans; 
• Training philosophies in line with CHS’ position statements, and follow the least intrusive and minimally aversive (LIMA) principles; 
• Ability to work well on a team by building and maintaining trusting, collaborative, and compassionate relationships; 
• Ability to work independently when required; 
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to changing priorities and organizational needs; 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a diverse team to accomplish common goals; 
• Dependable and reliable in completing assigned tasks and meeting deadlines; 
• Excellent organizational skills; 
• Life-long learner with commitment to keeping up to date on developments in animal behaviour and animal welfare for continual improvement of best practices, policies, and procedures; 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to approach sensitive and emotional matters using a flexible, compassionate, and non-judgmental approach; 
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; 
• Demonstrated active listening skills; 
• Extremely adaptable in an ever-changing environment with the ability to manage emotionally difficult situations and outcomes 
• Ability to remain objective and data-driven when making recommendations, particularly for euthanasia decisions.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and the emotional resilience to manage difficult outcomes. 

Position Requirements

• Ideal candidate will have up to date CPDT-KA or IAABC accreditation
• Minimum high school diploma
• Minimum one year of professional experience working hands on with animals in a humane, respectful manner (e.g. veterinary clinic, animal shelter, boarding facility, etc.) 
• Demonstrated ability to safely handle multiple species of animals of different personalities, temperaments, and sizes
• Ability to accurately interpret and analyze animal behavior
• Comfortable and confident with public speaking
• Dependable and dedicated to completing assigned tasks and meeting deadlines
• Adaptable to changing priorities and requirements in a fast-paced environment 
• Self-motivated
• Strong conflict management and teamwork skills
• Flexibility to work overtime as required
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Genuine interest in the welfare of animals and values congruent with the organization
• Successful candidate will be required to complete a police information check at their own expense to be arranged by CHS
• Must have at least 3 years driving experience with a Class 5 Graduated Driver’s License and/or Class 5 Driver’s License with a 5-year clean driver’s abstract 

Physical Requirements

• Physically capable of, and comfortable handling a variety of species including but not limited to cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, rodents, and reptiles. 
• Physically capable of lifting to 50 lbs. 
• Ability to perform repetitive motions of sitting standing, walking, reaching, lifting, squatting, bending, pulling. 

What We Offer:

• 100% employer-paid health and dental benefits for employees and their eligible dependants.
• Vision coverage and a Wellness Spending Account.
• Employer-matched RSP contributions.
• Paid vacation, sick time, wellness days and flex days, plus a paid day off for your birthday.
• Professional development and career-growth opportunities.
• Discounts on CHS products and services, including adoption fees.
• Access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program and reduced-rate counselling services.
• Free on-site parking.
• A meaningful, mission-driven workplace where your work directly supports animals and people in the community.

Our Commitment to Inclusion: 

The people and families we serve are diverse, and Calgary Humane Society is committed to building an inclusive workplace that reflects the community around us. We believe that different identities, lived experiences, perspectives, and abilities strengthen our organization and help us better support animals and the people who care for them.

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from people who have historically faced barriers to employment. We are committed to an accessible and equitable recruitment process, and accommodation is available at any stage upon request.

Closing date:  Posting will remain open until a suitable candidate is found 

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. To ensure a fair and consistent recruitment process, we are unable to respond to telephone or email inquiries regarding applications.

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