ADOPTION SPECIALIST I

This is a non-exempt Full-time position with a salary range of $17.00 - $19.30 per hour, with the expected hiring salary to be $17.00 - $17.50 per hour, based on experience. Acceptance of an Arbitration Agreement and successful completion of a Background Check is mandatory for all positions.

Job Summary: Under the direction of the Adoption Program Supervisor(s) (APS) the Adoption Specialist I encompasses a multifaceted set of responsibilities providing high-quality animal care, customer service and adoption counseling. This role involves ensuring animals are regularly walked and fed, have a clean living space, monitoring their health and welfare, assisting with microchipping and vaccinations, facilitating meet and greets and animal play groups, as well as offering professional assistance to shelter visitors, processing adoptions, donations and retail sales.

Mission: Our Mission is to rescue and shelter homeless companion animals, promote responsible pet ownership, provide humane education and celebrate the human-animal bond.

Vision: Our Team is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service, offering the best care within our means to every animal, and treating every individual, whether human or animal, with empathy and kindness. We strive to work efficiently, creating a positive and collaborative work environment that fosters growth and learning.

Working Environment: Work is conducted within an animal shelter environment. This may involve exposure to environmental factors, including temperature fluctuations, elevated noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal waste, potentially hazardous chemicals or materials requiring OSHA Safety Data Sheets, anesthetics, sharp objects, as well as the possibility of interacting with hostile individuals and handling dangerous or aggressive animals.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Animal handling and/or customer service experience (any field);

Woods Humane Society is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and achievements as well.

Please note that the provided information is not the comprehensive job description. See the full Job Description here.

Behavior & Training Program Coordinator

We have both Permanent & Temporary positions available.  Both are non-exempt Full-Time positions with a salary of $27.00 per hour. Acceptance of an Arbitration Agreement and successful completion of a Background Check is mandatory for all positions.

Job Summary:  Under the direction of the Director of Operations, the Behavior & Training Program Coordinator plays a crucial role in enhancing the well-being and adoptability of shelter animals with the development and implementation of canine behavior and enrichment programs, trainings and assessments, as well as designing and conducting public training classes to educate pet owners on positive training techniques, while promoting responsible pet ownership.  

Mission: Our Mission is to rescue and shelter homeless companion animals, promote responsible pet ownership, provide humane education and celebrate the human-animal bond.

Vision: Our Team is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service, offering the best care within our means to every animal, and treating every individual, whether human or animal, with empathy and kindness.  We strive to work efficiently, creating a positive and collaborative work environment that fosters growth and learning.

Working Environment:  Work is conducted within an animal shelter environment.  This may involve exposure to environmental factors, including temperature fluctuations, elevated noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal waste, potentially hazardous chemicals or materials requiring OSHA Safety Data Sheets, anesthetics, sharp objects, as well as the possibility of interacting with hostile individuals and handling dangerous or aggressive animals.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear and see, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift; push, lift or pull up to 150 pounds for situations of restraining or moving animals; push, lift, or pull up to 60 pounds for moving supplies, materials and equipment;
• Repetitively use hands to move animals around and operate computers;
• Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist;
• Specific vision abilities required are close and mid-range vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to focus;
• Appropriately and humanely restrain cats and dogs; control dogs on a leash; work with a variety of animals in multiple settings both in and out of the clinic/shelter;
• Be able to tolerate extended periods of 4 to 6 hours of performing moderately strenuous activities, standing, lifting, stretching and bending;
• Work in an environment with daily changes in climate;
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• May require long hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to ensure the shelter’s operation and address emergencies or issues outside of regular working hours.

Mental and Emotional Resilience:  Working in an animal shelter requires a commitment to support the animals in our care.  This includes challenges of animal welfare, including euthanasia and potentially hostile or difficult situations.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior, Canine Training, or a closely related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Certification as a Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) or equivalent;
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in canine behavior & training with a focus on positive reinforcement methods;
• Possession of a valid unrestricted California driver’s license with required auto insurance.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience in a leadership role within a non-profit organization is highly desirable;
• Experience in animal shelters and/or advocating for animal welfare with a strong understanding of animal care and best practices in an animal shelter is highly preferred.

Job Summary:  Under the direction of the Director of Operations, the Behavior & Training Program Coordinator plays a crucial role in enhancing the well-being and adoptability of shelter animals with the development and implementation of canine behavior and enrichment programs, trainings and assessments, as well as designing and conducting public training classes to educate pet owners on positive training techniques, while promoting responsible pet ownership.  

Woods Humane Society is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and achievements as well.

We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

All employees of Woods Humane Society have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times.

Please note that the provided information is not the comprehensive job description. 

See the full Job Description here.

TEMPORARY Behavior & Training Program Coordinator

This is a TEMPORARY Non-Exempt Full-Time position with a salary of $27.00 per hour. Acceptance of an Arbitration Agreement and successful completion of a Background Check is mandatory for all positions.

Job Summary:  Under the direction of the Director of Operations, the Behavior & Training Program Coordinator plays a crucial role in enhancing the well-being and adoptability of shelter animals with the development and implementation of canine behavior and enrichment programs, trainings and assessments, as well as designing and conducting public training classes to educate pet owners on positive training techniques, while promoting responsible pet ownership.  

Mission: Our Mission is to rescue and shelter homeless companion animals, promote responsible pet ownership, provide humane education and celebrate the human-animal bond.

Vision: Our Team is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service, offering the best care within our means to every animal, and treating every individual, whether human or animal, with empathy and kindness.  We strive to work efficiently, creating a positive and collaborative work environment that fosters growth and learning.

Working Environment:  Work is conducted within an animal shelter environment.  This may involve exposure to environmental factors, including temperature fluctuations, elevated noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal waste, potentially hazardous chemicals or materials requiring OSHA Safety Data Sheets, anesthetics, sharp objects, as well as the possibility of interacting with hostile individuals and handling dangerous or aggressive animals.

 Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior, Canine Training, or a closely related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Certification as a Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) or equivalent;
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience in canine behavior & training with a focus on positive reinforcement methods;
• Possession of a valid unrestricted California driver’s license with required auto insurance.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience in a leadership role within a non-profit organization is highly desirable;
• Experience in animal shelters and/or advocating for animal welfare with a strong understanding of animal care and best practices in an animal shelter is highly preferred.

Woods Humane Society is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and achievements as well.

We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

All employees of Woods Humane Society have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times.

See the full Job Description here.