Canine Specialist

The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo & Stratford Perth is a recognized Canadian leader in Animal Welfare. Our vision is to be a proactive leader in providing humane care through _education_, _advocacy, collaboration _and _enforcement_ to promote the well-being and appreciation of all animals.

It is our goal to develop enhanced Canine Behaviour Modification Programs to increase the number of lives we can save.

The values that are the basis of this organization are that all animals deserve to be treated with respect, dignity, empathy and compassion. All animals have an intrinsic value in improving the quality of life of an individual, family and community. And, public education on the humane treatment of animals leads to a better world.

As a forward-thinking team player who is comfortable with a fast-paced, ever-changing but often stressful environment, the Canine Specialist will openly take on the challenge of juggling multiple demands and will work collaboratively with others.

A general understanding of animal protection laws and animal welfare issues is important.

The position requires a willingness to work a variety of shifts, including some evenings, weekends and statutory holidays. This position also requires travel to our Stratford office on weekly basis.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

- Promote positive morale, creativity and teamwork amongst staff and volunteers.
- Provides follow up assistance to adopters to resolve issues.
- Act as a liaison between community organizations, retailers, other shelters and the KWHS, to best achieve organizational goals of increased adoptions and canine behavior modification.
- Work closely and correspond regularly with the Senior Animal Care Manager, and fellow team members regarding departmental needs and activity, providing relevant updates on a regular basis to the Senior Animal Care Manager.
- Coach, train and provide guidance to new staff and volunteers.
- Develop professional contacts and education resources to remain current with best practices, innovation and changes occurring within the Animal Welfare sector.
- Develop and maintain strong and harmonious connections to colleagues in associate organizations i.e. community groups, retailers, humane societies and animal welfare groups.
- Assist in animal care and handling of a variety of animals
- Ability to show unbiased decisions pertaining to adoptions, owner surrenders, return to home reclaims.
- Assist the Foster Coordinator with placing animals into foster care and providing assistance with canines in foster care who may display behaviour concerns.
- Provide animals with appropriate food, clean water and clean housing on an as needed basis.
- Provide customer service regarding adoption, intake, complaints and animal behaviour as required.
- Develop hands-on training and orientation for Canine Companions, and create related printed material, or visual aids.
- Attend Kitchener - Waterloo Humane Society events, as well as third party events, to promote awareness of proper training techniques and behavior modification techniques, including developing display materials, and set up and take down of displays.
- Enter related data into the Centre’s computer database.
- Perform Canine Behaviour Assessments on all dogs in care of HSKWSP that are over the age of 6 months, dogs taking part in any HSKWSP event and dogs needing to be surrendered by their owners.
- Update and develop all Canine behaviour training materials.
- Conduct Canine Behaviour presentations to staff, volunteers and members of the public.
- Perform other duties as required to ensure a positive public image and to improve the function of this organization.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
The following are general descriptions of some of the requirements necessary to carry out the duties and responsibilities of this position. The Full-Time Canine Specialist must have the following skills, among others:

- Certified in a Professional Positive Reinforcement Dog Training Course that covered basic training, behaviour therapy as well as aggression therapy.
- Minimum of 3 years working experience with the handling of a wide variety of canine breeds.
- Preferred experience with the handling of other species.
- Animal Welfare experience an asset, but not required.
- Work involves sensory concentration where work requires knowledge, awareness and consideration of a number of impacting variables. Attention to detail is an asset.
- Ability to build and foster effective relationships with staff, volunteers, customers, partners, sponsors, community groups, etc.
- Strong sense of teamwork and collaboration, with the ability to foster the same amongst others.
- Ability to communicate and listen thoroughly and able to tailor communication to adjust to the audience.
- Interpersonal skills to deal with multiple and differing behaviours of fellow staff, volunteers, customers and other organizational contacts.
- Ability to interpret and analyze different factors as gui