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Columbus, Ohio, United States
Onsite
Summary:
Are you interested in companion animal behavior and want to learn more about providing high-quality care while optimizing welfare for animals in need? Do you thrive in a dynamic and complex environment, where colleagues from all skill levels work together to continually advance the animal behavior field? If so, the role of Behavior Associate at the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) might be right for you!
Who We Are
The CRC, located in Columbus, OH, is part of the Rehabilitation Services Group, which also includes the Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) in Weaverville, NC, and the Recovery and Rehabilitation Center (R&R) in Pawling, NY. All three facilities provide opportunities for animals to heal after rescue. As they engage in hands-on care, teams prioritize the elevation of our work through ongoing learning, advancing the animal welfare field through research, developing effective, efficient interventions, establishing new best practices and sharing innovations with other organizations nationwide through the ASPCA’s Learning Lab, ASPCApro, publications, and professional and academic conferences. At the CRC, a dedicated team of sheltering, veterinary and animal behavior staff work together to serve animals rescued in ASPCA national cruelty cases and disaster responses.
In addition to their work as part of the CRC team, Behavior Associates are part of the ASPCA’s larger Animal Behavior team, which includes the Behavioral Sciences Team (BST), the Learning Lab (LL), and the behavior teams at all other ASPCA sheltering facilities. Working within and across teams, ASPCA behavior staff share expertise, use aligned behavior practices, and help advance the ASPCA’s strategic priorities.
What You’ll Do
The Shelter Behavior Associate role at the CRC offers a unique opportunity to jump-start or accelerate your career as a shelter behavior expert. The role starts off with an intensive, 10-week paid training program called the Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship (SBA). The only program of its kind, the SBA provides a deep dive into the science of animal behavior, coached hands-on learning, and critical knowledge about how to apply behavior expertise in a shelter environment. Following completion of the SBA, graduates join their team as Shelter Behavior Associates and continue to develop their skills, guided by their managers. Behavior Associates who consistently demonstrate strong shelter behavior knowledge and skills, and collaborate effectively within and across teams, typically move into the role of Behavior Specialist after approximately one year of on-the-job training. The Specialist role includes additional responsibilities, including coaching and teaching other team members, visiting learners from other organizations and volunteers, crafting behavior modification plans, and doing more advanced behavior rehabilitation work.
Ideal candidates for Behavior Associate will have a keen interest in the science of animal behavior, a passion for animal welfare, and exceptional people skills.
The Behavior Associate reports directly to the Senior Manager, Shelter Animal Behavior and has no direct reports.
Where and When You’ll Work
This position reports to the CRC in Columbus, OH.
This position requires completion of the Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship which combines online and hands-on learning, and requires travel (more information is listed below).
Schedule may include one weekend day, and available to work a flexible schedule when needed including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays
Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time, as needed, is required for this position.
What You’ll Get
Compensation
Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.
The target hiring range for the initial Behavior Associate role is $25.95 - $27.40
The target range for promotion to Behavior Specialist is $28.80 - $31.02
Benefits
At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:
Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more.
For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.
Responsibilities:
Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance. They include, but are not limited to:
Shelter Behavior Associate Job Responsibilities:
Behavior Modification, Behavior Assessment, Animal Handling & Data Collection
Coaching, Consultation & Behavior Support
Deployment & Travel/Transport
Behavior Specialist Responsibilities:
Behavior Specialists perform responsibilities of Behavior Associates as well as the following:
Behavior Modification, Behavior Assessment, Animal Handling & Data Collection
Coaching, Consultation & Behavior Support
Deployment & Travel/Transport
Qualifications
Education and Work Experience
Shelter Behavior Apprenticeship Requirements:
Language:
English (Required)Education and Work Experience:
High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent Experience (Required)
