Behavior and Rescue Coordinator

Job Posted 11/27/2024
Salt Lake County
Taylorsville, UT 84123
United States
Job Description

Salt Lake County…A career with a purpose in the community you love!

Salt Lake County invites you to explore our exciting career opportunities. We seek highly enthusiastic individuals to enrich our County with your experience and talent. If you enjoy working in a team environment that is committed to changing the lives of its community, please keep reading.

What it is like to work here:

At Salt Lake County our culture is woven into all aspects of our work and our employees’ lives, from the way we treat each other to the way we support the community. To promote and foster a fun and healthy work environment, we appreciate employees through great benefits, a healthy work life balance and room to grow and develop.

Surround yourself with:

Peers who are motivated to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. We serve Salt Lake County and envision a safe and beautiful place for all to live work and have fun. Salt Lake County is about connecting people and championing our community. Community is more than a place….its our heart and service that bring us together.

We encourage a work life balance:

Working for Salt Lake County is more than just a paycheck. A career with /Salt Lake County includes several benefits and perks. We support our employees with 12 Holidays, up to 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and one personal day every year. We work in a hybrid environment giving you flexibility to manage working from home and being in office.

Additional Benefits include:

  • Retirement options for hybrid pension/401(k) or 401(k) only with a 10% contribution

Medical coverage including a 100% county paid premium option-Dental and Vision coverage including coverage for adult designees

  • Health Savings account with a county contribution up to $1200/year, Flexible Spending Account
  • 100% county-paid Long-Term Disability and Short-Term Disability option
  • Professional Development including professional membership fees paid
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Plus: Onsite medical clinic, childcare and gym; hospital insurance, pet insurance auto and home insurance and discounts at County facilities.

For Benefits information Click HERE

JOB SUMMARY

Conducts the daily tasks and initiatives of the behavior department. Develops, coordinates, implements, and organizes rescue programs for shelter animals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Public Administration, or other closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of related education and experience in the animal welfare field.

Minimum of 3 years of professional animal handling experience

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Establish, plan, coordinate, monitor, and increase awareness of rescue program goals and objectives.
  • Conducts behavioral assessments on impounded dogs based on shelter protocol and identifies concerning behavior
  • Creates behavior modification and training plans for dogs with behavioral challenges and follows-up with staff and volunteers to ensure plans are implemented correctly.
  • Serves as a liaison between Animal Services and the all-pet and breed-specific rescue group communities. Enhances Animal Services ability to meet the unique needs of rescue groups.
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with rescue community members, site supervisors, other community organizations, and various shelter and government programs
  • Assists with developing and implementing internal policies and procedures that ensure program compliance with all County, State, and Federal regulations. Ensures industry standards and best practices are implemented and maintained within program goals and parameters.
  • Assists in the development and delivery of any orientations, training, workshops, and materials needed for the rescue and behavior programs. Including, making presentations at various meetings and forums for civic groups.
  • Consults with staff to evaluate the effectiveness of behavior modification, shelter training, and enrichment protocols and assists in making modifications.
  • Coordinates resolution of rescue and behavior program issues, by assisting in determining adoptability or alternate outcome needs for shelter animals
  • Monitors program partners and sites to ensure compliance with policies and procedures, provisions, and prohibited activities.
  • Coordinates and staffs events, volunteers, and special division functions as requested by agency leadership.
  • Ensures that program related documents and forms are complete, accurate, and processed through established standards and guidelines within any needed database
  • May coordinate grant and or contract processes and ensures compliance with program requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA)

Knowledge of:

  • Techniques and methods of animal behavior assessment, behavior modification, and training.
  • Rescue program management
  • Effective training techniques
  • Feline and canine body language and behavior.
  • Causes, symptoms, and safe handling of aggressive animals
  • Animal handling safety rules, procedures, and proper handling techniques
  • Methods and techniques for humane animal care and handling

Skills and Abilities to:

      • Establish, plan, coordinate, monitor, and evaluate rescue programming.
      • Communicate clearly and professionally in both verbal and written form.
      • Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records.
      • Create a supportive and positive learning environment.
      • Maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
      • Recognize and cope with compassion fatigue and animal euthanasia.
      • Be self-sufficient and pay attention to detail.
      • Work in a fast-paced environment, embrace and foster change, problem-solving, and multi-tasking.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sitting, standing, crawling, kneeling, and walking for extended periods. Sufficient stamina to restrain animals for extended periods of time. Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling 25-75 pounds on a regular basis and occasionally up to 100 pounds without assistance.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POSITION

Must receive a verified negative test result on a mandatory drug test before starting in this position. Will be subject to random alcohol and drug testing.

**Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must pass a required background check through fingerprinting and enrollment in the continuous RAP back (Record of Arrest and Prosecution Back) program in accordance with current County Human Resources policy requirements.