Canine Behavior & Enrichment Supervisor

Canine Behavior and Enrichment Supervisor

Schedule

The working schedule of this position is Tuesday - Saturday, 8:30AM - 5PM with Sunday and Monday off. 

Who We Are

ACC is one of the nation’s largest open-admission animal shelters, whose mission is to End Animal Homelessness in NYC. We touch the lives of nearly 20,000 animals each year. ACC is more than an animal shelter; we are a resource to the community, always seeking ways to keep the human-animal bond intact. With a 90% placement rate, our progressive, life-saving initiatives contribute to the successful placement of our animals. 

We strive to find loving homes for homeless and abandoned cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits, both by adopting animals directly to the public and by partnering with more than 200 dedicated animal placement organizations (our New Hope partners). We also help keep NYC communities safe and rescue animals in need, responding to emergencies that involve animals as well as keeping our doors open 24/7 for people and animals in need.

Summary 

The Supervisor oversees Bronx's Animal Care Center’s canine enrichment program, including daily playgroups, canine behavior assessments, socialization, and environmental enrichment, with a goal of meeting the behavioral needs of the full canine population at Animal Care Centers (ACC) and facilitating adoption matches. This position directly supervises five (5) canine behavior team members. The Supervisor is expected to act as a leader for the team in work ethic, efficiency and attitude both within the team and when interacting with other staff and volunteers. 

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma required.
• Equivalent of three (3) years’ experience or any equivalent combination of education and experience working in the area of development and management of animal training programs, shelter experience required.
• Experience conducting playgroups and training staff to oversee playgroups. 
• Previous supervisory experience is required.
• Must be able to handle all types and breeds of dogs with varying behaviors and energy levels, including those showing fearful and aggressive behaviors. 
• Solid knowledge of dog behavior and general training principles based on experience compatible with ACC goals and philosophy. 
• Must be able to lift and move up to 50lbs.

Benefits

ACC values work/life balance and offers a generous paid-time-off (PTO) package that includes vacation time, birthdays off, personal days and sick pay. We also value physical and mental health by offering a great open access Cigna medical, dental and vision insurance at a low premium to our employees as well as 401K and Pension, Life Insurance. We also have on-the-job training for 2-4 weeks, periodic all staff training to include safety, DEI, cross training, and other growth opportunities.  

Because ACC is a nonprofit, employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness, cancellation, and/or consolidation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). Created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF allows borrowers who work full time for nonprofits and government agencies to have their outstanding debt forgiven tax-free on Federal Direct Loans, after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

Please use this link for more details on our benefits package.

Essential Job Functions:

• Directly supervise the Enrichment Coordinator, Canine Behavior Assessor, and Canine Behavior Specialists. This includes, but is not limited to, setting their work schedule; providing training, resources and support; establishing goals and objectives; and providing frequent feedback regarding their work performance.
• Complete incident reports, post-incident team debriefs, consistent team meetings, and conflict resolution as needed.
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry. Maintain and report statistics that accurately reflect the effectiveness of enrichment and behavior programs and use that data to seek ways to increase effectiveness.

Other Responsibilities:

• Monitor all dogs in ACC’s care to maintain optimal behavioral care and to promptly address dogs needing pre-assessment socialization. 
• Monitor behavior changes, add notes to Shelter Buddy records, and adjust overall behavior determinations as appropriate.
• Develop and explore new enrichment ideas and programs.
• Work with Behavior and Animal Care staff to maintain the animal's mental health and improve the dog’s social skills.
• Determine daily tasks and assignments for the Enrichment team, including written records of daily enrichment.
• In conjunction with the overall enrichment plan, utilize positive reinforcement to build positive associations in the care center and to reward desired behaviors in order to improve adoption potential.
• Coordinate and prioritize enrichment for dogs unable to participate in playgroup.
• Establish, monitor, and measure staff performance goals. 
• Order supplies, track inventory, maintain warehouses.
• Develop, implement and monitor staff schedules and daily attendance records.
• Review time and attendance database and complete staff payroll.
• Determine daily tasks and assignments for the behavior team, including written records of daily enrichment. 
• Fear Free certification within 30 days of hire.
• Complete other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Ability to make sound judgments and work independently in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands. 
• Ability to foster a cooperative, encouraging and positive work environment with staff as well as volunteers. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. 
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills. 
• The ability to remain pleasant, calm and objective in all situations. 

Work Environment

At ACC it's all hands-on deck. We work together as a team, which means you may be asked to help with tasks that involve working outside in all sorts of weather. As a busy animal shelter in one of the biggest cities in the world it can get noisy inside. Employees should have the ability to remain calm yet professional in stressful situations involving animals and/or members of the public. ACC houses hundreds of animals in its facilities at any given time and with that comes fur, odors and other airborne particles in abundance. 

ACC offers many low-cost services to pets and people in need. This includes compassionate end-of-life services for people who cannot afford to go to a private veterinary office but still want to provide a professional and peaceful transition for their beloved pet. 

Reports To: Canine Behavior Program Manager

Overtime: This is a non-union position and is eligible for overtime.