Behavior and Training Program Manager

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: $75-85k

Love animals? Want to spend your day surrounded by wagging tails and soft purrs?

Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV), a privately funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit, has been serving people and pets in Silicon Valley since 1929. Having facilitated more than half a million animal adoptions, HSSV is a leader 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 thathelp more animals findand stay inloving homes. This includes leading behavior-focused training initiativesfor staff, volunteers, and adopters to ensure consistent, compassionate animal care grounded in HSSVscommitment to positive reinforcement and fear-free animal handling. A key focus includes overseeing theevaluation of shelter animals and making informed recommendations for placement, foster, or behavioral euthanasia when appropriate. Additionally, this role oversees HSSVs public training business, run inpartnership with an external training partner, to ensure high-quality services that help adopters andcommunity members keep pets in homes.

Duties and Responsibilities\

• Partner closely with the Director to drive department strategic planning and with the Behavior Team to deliveron outcomes for behavior and training programs.
• Work cross functionally to monitor the shelter animal population to ensure the Behavior Team andvolunteers are meeting individual needs through behavior modification, training, and enrichmentplans, while continually refining processes to support efficient operations.
• Support the Adoptions, Owner Surrender, and Foster programs to help animals find homes or stay inthe homes they are in.
• Develop, implement, and continually evaluate the most effective ways to identify and report on animalbehavior.
• Ensure staff are trained to properly assess and report behavior observations through the creation ofSOPs and workflows.
• Partner with the Volunteer Department to ensure volunteer recruitment needs are met, oversee volunteersassigned to the department, and develop and deliver training for new volunteers in all areas/levels of animalsocialization.
• Manage the training program and ensure that instructors and classes meet strategic goals for keepingpets in their home and setting adopters up for success.
• Leverage metrics to analyze program outcomes and ensure the successful delivery of behavior and trainingprograms.
• Create, proofread, edit, and update behavior resources with support from the Behavior Team.
• 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 animal behavior experience preferably in a program management role with a broadunderstanding of animal welfare related operations, programs, and policies; managing volunteers andshelter experience a plus.
• Proven ability to plan, lead, and execute projects successfully.
• Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) preferred.
• Knowledge and strong commitment to using positive reinforcement and fear-free animal handling methods.
• Ability to accurately 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 relationshipswith both people and animals.
• Outstanding interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with internal and externalaudiences in various communication styles and with multiple stakeholders.
• Self-motivated with demonstrated ability to work well without close supervision and to makeindependent decisions.
• Experience with the use of spreadsheets, word processing, databases, and communication systemssuch as ShelterBuddy, 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 bothdaylight and after dark. Frequent exposure to loud noise, odors, and chemicals. Exposure to animalswith 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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