Behavior Training Manager
Listed on 2026-10-18
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Social Work
Youth Development, Child Development/Support -
Education / Teaching
Youth Development, Child Development/Support, ABA Therapy / Behavioral Therapy
Description
Our mission is made possible through the hard work and dedication of our valued employees. We foster a professional, supportive work environment grounded in compassion, collaboration, respectful and open communication, responsible stewardship, and a commitment to adaptability and growth.
Job Title: Behavior & Training Manager
Department: Adoption Center
Position Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports To: Pathway Planning Director
Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, Occasional On-Call Shifts Required
Starting Pay: $58,000 - $68,000 annually (Based on experience)
POSITION SUMMARY:The Behavior and Training Manager oversees all animal intake, behavior, enrichment, training, and assessment programs with support from the Behavior & Training Coordinator and provides direct supervision and leadership to the coordinator. The Behavior & Training Manager ensures proper population management by following intake criteria and policies to partner with local organizations to source animals.
This role ensures daily behavior and training operations align with organizational policies, protocols, and best practices, and is responsible for enforcing, developing, and updating behavior and training procedures to ensure safety, consistency, and program effectiveness.
Work includes using positive reinforcement; developing training techniques; managing canine playgroups; performing intake behavior testing; evaluating behavior methods and equipment; instructing staff and volunteers on proper handling and training techniques; developing curriculum; and designing training aids.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Including but not limited to:- Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance evaluations for the Behavior & Training Coordinator and address performance, conflict, and conduct issues promptly and directly.
- Participate in hiring, interviewing, onboarding, and training of supervised positions according to organizational procedures.
- Oversee all behavior programs, enrichment, training, playgroups, socialization, and volunteer-driven behavior activities to ensure accurate, consistent, and safe implementation by assigned staff, the Coordinator, volunteers, and contractors.
- Support the Behavior Coordinator in executing assessments of animals that happen at source shelters to ensure they meet intake criteria, plan intakes (including transportation to our Adoption Center), and ensure accurate/complete records are entered into Shelterluv as part of the intake process for each animal.
- Develop, oversee, and ensure implementation of behavior plans, daily enrichment plans, and special handling/care instructions in collaboration with the Behavior & Training Coordinator.
- Handle owner surrenders and returns to ensure appropriate information is collected, and intakes are planned with our capacity in mind.
- In collaboration with the Pathway Planning Director and other managers, plan and execute all intakes according to written policies and procedures. Ensure communication and planning occur prior to scheduling intakes to allow for appropriate pathway planning (e.g., Medical notification, Foster planning for neonates).
- Maintain knowledge of current organizational capacity for care and length of stay to ensure intakes align with operational trends.
- Prioritize intakes from our local partner based on the current and projected available capacity at the shelter. Also maintain and build our transfer partner relationships to help alleviate overcrowding in regional shelters.
- Serves as primary contact for our ASPCA Relocation partnership as a destination shelter, responsible for planning, approving and executing all ASPCA transports.
- Ensure the integrity of Source Shelter Questionnaires. Request updates during leadership changes at partner shelters, notify the Pathway Planning Director of any changes.
- Oversee adopter and foster behavior support services, including behavior consultations, post-adoption check-ins, surrender counseling related to severe behavior concerns, and foster caregiver education and training. Lead or support the Behavior & Training Coordinator in difficult behavior euthanasia conversations with adopters and lead intake diversion when needed.
- Ensure behavior-related data is collected from owners experiencing post-adoption concerns including human bites, animal bites, guarding, and other elevated behaviors.
- Oversee training and education programs for staff, volunteers, the public, and contract trainers including training sessions, group classes, seminars, workshops, safe…
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