Location: Bentonville, AR 

Hiring Range: This position’s hiring range is anticipated to be $58,000 to $61,000 annually, depending on experience, plus great benefits!

Schedule: This is a 5x8 schedule that will likely include at least one weekend day. The center is open daily until 7 pm.  

Position Summary: Animal behavior and Training specialists are responsible for success towards Best Friends Animal Society’s no-kill mission, specifically with dogs. This specialist works across departmental lines, equally prioritizing pet retention with our community outreach program, enhanced lifesaving with our lifesaving and care, supporting our fosters and adopters, and the reduction of shelter killing with our partners.   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Demonstrate kindness and the Golden Rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Be a role model for the spirit of authenticity, kindness and positive influence with each other, our visitors, and volunteers as well as to the animals every day. This includes listening, being present, being supportive of others and demonstrating compassion and curiosity in conflict. 

• Work with community outreach and community programs to implement programs to increase owner retention of dogs, particularly those in danger of relinquishment due to behavioral challenges.  

• Build enrichment, training and animal management capabilities of the animal care teams, fosters and volunteers through one-on-one coaching and group class work; assisting with specific situations as identified by animal care leadership, with the goal of reducing length of stay and increasing positive outcomes.  

• Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers and fosters to identify individual dogs in our program in need of additional enrichment/behavioral support and strategize solutions, then develop training and enrichment plans with a goal of assisting animals to be successfully adopted and retained. Empower staff to enhance their ability to provide behavioral support for dogs in our program, both at the pet resource center and in foster care and to enhance their ability to provide post adoption behavioral support.   

• Implement Best Friends engagement strategies to reduce shelter killing by supporting animal welfare organizations to enhance their ability to provide enrichment and behavioral support to the dogs in their care and to reduce length of stay and expedite their positive outcomes.    

• Work collaboratively with and assist Best Friends’ team members in all areas of community outreach and engagement and operations to develop, evolve, and implement efficient processes to achieve lifesaving goals; follow policies, procedures, and task lists, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.   

• Lead and empower volunteers and volunteer teams in support of community outreach programs with the goal of utilizing volunteers to the greatest extent possible to expand Best Friends lifesaving capacity; deliver and lead superior customer service. 

• Maintain a safe workplace, value, and model safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and addressing or communicating to leadership about unsafe practices and conditions.  

Skills and Experience: 

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in an animal shelter with dogs of varying sizes, personalities and behavioral challenges.  

• Dog training and behavior knowledge and experience to include theory, training techniques, and an interest to pursue continued learning in the field; experience helping dogs manage/reduce stress and in utilizing management techniques to keep yourself safe while doing so within a shelter environment. 

• Bilingual or multi-lingual skills preferred. 

• General companion animal knowledge, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns; ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs including medicating, socializing, and basic behavior modification/management techniques. 

• Ability to speak on, and professionally advocate for, Best Friends’ position on issues, including public speaking, presentations, and consulting.  

• Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with the public, adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with an open adoption process. 

• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until lifesaving outcome goals are achieved. 

• Strong interpersonal skills, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to handle sensitive and confidential situations. 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software (Best Friends uses Shelterluv), or desire to learn. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Routinely lift 40 pounds and perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.   

• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.    

• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.   

• Exposure to dogs, cats and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.    

• Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance, ability to travel and/or drive on behalf of Best Friends, including overnight stays, when needed.    

• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes weekends, nights, and holiday work.  

• The ability to travel up to 20%.

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 US 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 US by Best Friends Animal Society.