Animal Behaviour Supervisor

**Position Description**:
The Animal Behaviour Supervisor is responsible for the supervision of animal behaviour counsellor staff and the dog training class instructors to ensure excellent animal care & rehabilitation and to deliver exceptional positive reinforcement based public programs; and build & maintain programs that will enhance the stay of animals in our Shelter with established training, socialization and behaviour modification programs.
The position is 40 hours per week, Tuesday - Saturday but flexibility needed to accommodate shelter needs, and reports to the Executive Director.

**Position Responsibilities**
The position is responsible for the Animal Behaviour Counsellor (ABC) shift schedule, monitoring the team of ABC to achieve positive results within CAHS behaviour modification plans, dog to dog interactions and canine enrichment programs, and behaviourally clearing the CAHS canine population for adoption. The position will be responsible for providing guidance, instruction and support to the CAHS behaviour team.

**Priority Duties**:

- Manage and coach staff as per shelter policy and procedures and in a timely manner including: recruitment, training, supervision, coaching, evaluating, vacation and time off approvals and coverage, scheduling and discipline as required
- Approve and monitor the animal behaviour department staff schedule to ensure sufficient coverage and cost effective time management practices
- Prepare recommendations and proposals for the annual behaviour department budget
- Develop and monitor training and behaviour modification programs for the CAHS canine population
- Create and implement tracking behaviour modification & outcomes for purpose of change, improvement and public safety and the adoptability of dogs
- Provide support to the Behaviour Team and ensure dog to dog meets are conducted in a safe and timely manner
- Provide ABC role coverage as needed
- Ensure adoption follow up calls are being made and handled both effectively and timely
- Maintain accurate and complete records on all animal behaviour related programs and updates including animal profiles
- Daily monitoring of dog boards and staff communication books
- Prioritize a daily focus on staff-only handling dogs, Play for Life program for all eligible dogs, behaviour to show meetings and relationship building and behaviour modification protocols with fearful dogs and dogs not yet moving freely on leash in the shelter or foster environment
- On a case-by-case, and with manager approval, complete off site adoption meets for behaviour dogs (Village Dogs) when deemed necessary, and complete them in a safe, timely and productive manner
- Utilize virtual platforms or the training centre (REC) to conduct foster meetings where they are seeking behavioural support and in the absence of the Foster Coordinator, or where requested to do so by management
- On a case-by-case and with manager approval complete off site foster meetings when deemed necessary for behavioural support and complete them in a safe, timely and productive manner
- Participate in weekly meetings on behalf of the Behaviour Department
- Work closely with the Foster and Community Support (FCS) Coordinator to ensure dogs are being matched to foster families appropriately and receiving the behavioural support they need to be successful providing coverage for the FCS Coordinator as needed for behaviour dogs in foster only.
- Oversee behaviour department support to the foster program
- Conduct and schedule new staff training for department staff to ensure consistency and quality training
- Recruitment and training of new Village Volunteers (volunteers approved to work with Village Dogs)
- Oversee canine enrichment program
- Monitor cleanliness and organization of the REC facilities
- Collaborate with the Canine Behaviour Consultant on selection of appropriate dogs for PACE program
- Provide support, direction and daily scheduling to PACE students completing hours in the Behaviour Department to ensure they are receiving quality educational opportunities and are well utilized within the department
- Conduct temperament behaviour assessments of shelter dogs and complete post evaluation communication as appropriate
- Provide behavioural clearance for the CAHS dogs
- Contribute to behaviour dog web write ups
- Participate in Health & Behaviour Meetings as requested and as a voting member
- Provide specific content to the Marketing & Communications Coordinator to assist in effectively promoting the CAHS, adoptable animals and fee-based behaviour related programs
- Update and review the ABC Manual regularly to keep current and relevant at all times
- Ensure appropriate and timely communication is shared within and between departments
- Promote professionalism, cleanliness and a healthy & safe work environment at all times

**General Duties**
- Communicate animal related health and behavioural concerns and any occupational hazards to the Operations Manager and/