Animal Behaviorist Jobs

6/1/2023 11:59 PM Central

Serves as the Shelter Animal Behaviorist, overseeing the behavior evaluation, enrichment, and training for all MACC animals. Provides behavior support to adopters and pet owners as part of a comprehensive intake diversion program. Builds relationships and partnerships with outside organizations to develop and implement programs related to behavior health of shelter animals.
This position is with the Nashville Davidson County Public Health Department.
If you have any questions about this position please contact MPHD HR at (615)-340-5640.

• Manages daily playgroups and provide dog-to-dog assessments.
• Provides behavior support to adopters and pet owners as part of a comprehensive intake diversion program (safety net program) to prevent animal relinquishment when possible.
• Works cooperatively with the shelter manager and staff and fosters a spirit of teamwork.
• Develops diverse, daily enrichment plan/schedule for all shelter animals.
• Trains staff and volunteers on enrichments activities and protocols.
• Provides training in behavior modification, basic training, and safe handling.
• Develops information and training materials for staff, volunteers, adopters, and animal owners.
• Creates and maintains assessment and enrichment standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Provides assessment and enrichment for animals who may be fractious, shut down, FAS, or otherwise demonstrating behavior that may make them unsafe to handle or for adoption.
• Demonstrates MPHD’s core values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Equality (P.R.I.D.E.) when interacting with the public and employees of the Metropolitan Government.
• Creates individualized enrichment plans for animals needing special care.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Fulfills speaking engagements and prepares media releases when appropriate.
• Supports and participates in departmental response to disaster/emergency events. Regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
• Ensures a safe and clean environment within working area.
• Monitors animal behavior throughout stay while in the shelter and revises protocols as needed.

• Must receive pre-exposure rabies vaccinations.
• Bachelor's Degree in Animal Behavior, Education, Psychology, Public Administration, Training/Development, or a related field (Other combinations of education, training and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability).
• Fear Free (Shelter) certification
• Five (5) years’ dog/animal training experience, including experience evaluating the behavior of dogs.
• Two (2) years’ experience designing and implementing training or education courses, project management training, and/or in programs that involved conducting training needs assessments, developing and coordinating training courses, and administering training consultant contracts.
• CPDT-KA or equivalent certification
• Three (3) years’ animal shelter experience.
• Valid class "D" driver's license, use of personal vehicle, and maintenance of valid personal vehicle insurance as required by Tennessee Law.

• Employee may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as goggles, gloves, earplugs, etc.
• The work environment and conditions vary with assignments and department. The work may require some walking, bending, carrying of light to medium weight items, etc. Need to be able lift up to 50lbs.

Full-time, Civil Service positions -
10 Vacation Days per year (increasing after 5 years of service)
1 Sick Day per month
12 Paid Holidays per year
Public Safety - Sworn and Civilian positions -
20 vacation days per year
3 Personal days per year
1 Sick Day per month
12 paid holidays per year
Part-time, Non Civil Service positions - Visit HR and Benefits webpages for more information.
Full-time, Non Civil Service positions - contact hiring department for benefits information
Seasonal/Temporary positions - no benefits offered.