Position Summary: Animal Behavior and Training Specialists play a key role in advancing Best Friends Animal Society’s “no-kill” mission by working collaboratively across multiple departments to support the physical, mental, and behavioral well-being of dogs in our care, enhancing both welfare and adoptability.

A central part of this role is developing and implementing force-free, science-based behavior modification, enrichment, and training plans to help set dogs up for success in shelter, sanctuary, and home environments, increasing positive outcomes and supporting lasting placements.

Specialists also provide training and mentorship to staff and volunteers on a wide range of behavior, enrichment, and handling topics, ensuring that best practices are consistently applied. In addition, Specialists focus on strengthening pet retention through community outreach, enhancing lifesaving efforts within our care programs, and providing guidance and support to BFAS’ Life Saving Centers, partner organizations, caregivers, on-site & remote volunteers, fosters, and adopters.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate kindness, authenticity, and respect in all interactions with staff, volunteers, visitors, and animals.

• Model inclusion and positive communication, including active listening, supportiveness, and compassion in times of conflict.

• Contribute to a culture of togetherness, collaboration, and continuous education and improvement.

• Develop and implement individualized enrichment and training plans to enhance welfare, reduce stress, shorten length of stay, and improve adoption outcomes.

• Manage, organize and run regular playgroups and other dog interaction opportunities for appropriate candidates

• Collaborate with teams to identify dogs needing behavioral support, troubleshoot training challenges, and adjust intervention plans as needed.

• Conduct weekly or bi-weekly behavior rounds and provide behavior and training support to caregivers.

• Conduct skill assessments for newly onboarded staff & volunteers.

• Work with community programs to keep dogs in homes by offering behavior and training guidance & resources to pet owners, especially in cases where dogs are at risk of relinquishment.

• Implement engagement strategies to help partner shelters and rescues improve enrichment, behavior support, and lifesaving outcomes.

• Provide behavior-related consultation, presentations, and public education as needed.

• Provide Behavior and Training support for on- and off-site community outreach activities.

• Provide one-on-one and group coaching for caregivers, fosters, and volunteers on a variety of topics such as body language, low-stress handling, enrichment planning, and behavior modification.

• Empower staff and volunteers to confidently provide behavioral support across shelter and foster settings.

• Lead and engage volunteer teams to expand capacity and support community outreach initiatives.

• Assist with or lead all-staff trainings on a variety of topics related to training, behavior, and animal welfare.

• Support staff, fosters, and volunteers in providing post-adoption behavior guidance.

• Maintain accurate and detailed records, including objective behavior logs, training plans, and progress reports.

• Ensure alignment with organizational policies, procedures, and task lists.

• Collaborate with Best Friends teams to streamline and implement efficient lifesaving processes.

• Provide superior customer service to adopters, fosters, partners, and visitors.

• Maintain a safe workplace, modeling safe practices and reporting or addressing unsafe conditions.

Skills and Experience:

• Must have 2 years of experience working with dogs in a shelter, rescue, or similar environment, including dogs of varying sizes, temperaments, and behavioral challenges.

• Experience delivering positive reinforcement-based content, including safe handling, playgroup management, and behavior modification protocols and procedures.

• Demonstrated knowledge of learning theory, dog behavior, & body language.

• Experience applying safe, effective management strategies in shelter environments.

• General companion animal knowledge, including handling medical or behavioral conditions, administering medication.

• Knowledge on how to modify housing environments & manage environmental stressors to help reduce fear, anxiety, and stress (FAS)

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Must be able to work with people from diverse backgrounds, handle sensitive situations with professionalism, and advocate for Best Friends’ position on key animal welfare issues.

• Comfort with public speaking, group presentations, and consulting.

• Customer-focused, non-judgmental approach to working with the public

• Familiarity with open adoption practices

• Problem-solving and resourceful attitude with flexibility to adapt and persist towards organizational, departmental, and lifesaving goals.

• Organizational skills and ability to balance multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with shelter software (e.g., Shelterluv) or willingness to learn.

• Ability to relocate to Kanab, UT.

• Ability to travel to participate in organizational events, community outreach initiatives, conferences, and more.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Certification as a professional animal trainer or dog trainer through the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA), International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers (CCPDT), or similar positive-reinforcement based program.

• Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred; a salary premium is available for demonstrated proficiency in both spoken and written Spanish.

Physical Requirements:

• Routinely lift up to 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity, including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.

• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods, such as typing, walking, or handling animals.

• Work indoors and outdoors in varied weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.

• Regular exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of different sizes, temperaments, and medical conditions.

• Valid driver’s license for at least 3 years; eligible for coverage under Best Friends’ insurance policy; ability to travel and stay overnight as needed (up to 20%).

• Flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, and holidays as required.

*During the selection process, candidates may be asked to participate in an onsite working interview. 

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.