Behavior and Training Coordinator January 2026

 JOB SUMMARY:  Responsible for performing canine and feline training sessions using positive reinforcement techniques, and provide in and out of kennel enrichment for both dogs and cats in care; perform dog-dog introductions as needed; provide in person, phone, and email behavior support to adopters, fosters, and patrons as needed; assist with meet and greets for potential adopters and fosters; help mentor new staff and volunteers on basic cat and dog body language and behavior modification; teach Alexandria Animal Academy public classes; other functions and duties as assigned. 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

This position is supervised by: Senior Manager of Behavior and Training 

Position(s) Identified below report to this position:  N/A

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB INCLUDE:

Performing Canine and Feline Training Sessions:

· Ability to work with fearful, high-arousal (including jumpy/mouthy dogs), and potentially reactive/aggressive cats and dogs

· Record behavior observations and training session notes in each animal’s Chameleon file

· Conduct daily training sessions as assigned

· Follow written training plans and protocols, and demonstrate ability and knowledge to know when to advance or drop back in a training plan

· Understanding of how to utilize positive reinforcement training techniques during sessions

· Ability to read and understand dog and cat body language

· Assist with developing and testing new training protocols and behavior modification techniques

Providing Extra Canine and Feline Enrichment:

· Create and distribute in kennel enrichment for both cats and dogs

· Create and perform out of kennel enrichment for both cats and dogs, including playgroups for dogs

· Assist with developing and testing new enrichment items and schedules

Performing Dog-Dog Introductions:

· Ability to assist and take lead in conducting dog to dog introductions as needed

· Ability to read and understand dog body language

· Demonstrate advanced handling abilities and knowledge of when to continue or end interactions

· Ability to safely break up or manage any interactions resulting in aggression and/or a bite

Providing Behavior Support:

· Provide behavior support to adopters, foster, and patrons as needed via in person conversations, phone calls, and email

· Ability to explain written protocols in depth to adopters, foster, and patrons and provide additional guidance as needed

Assist with Meet and Greets:

· Ability to help adoptions and foster departments with meet and greets for animals displaying behavior concerns as needed

· Ability to speak with potential adopters and fosters about any difficult behaviors listed in the animal’s previous home history and/or seen in care and provide behavior modification and management advice 

· Provide adopters and fosters with written training plans for known behaviors (if resources are available) and provide additional resources as needed

Mentor New Staff, and Volunteers:

· Ability to help train new staff, and volunteers on basic cat and dog body language to increase staff and animal safety 

· Ability to teach new staff, and volunteers basic training and behavior modification plans to help reduce FAS for animals in care

· Flexibility to allow staff, and volunteers to shadow training sessions during the work day to help build their skills

Teaching Public Classes:

· Ability to teach dog and cat classes for the public, as scheduled

· Create a curriculum for training classes with assistance from the Behavior department manager 

· Manage signups, and any follow ups required with assistance from the Behavior department manager

· Provide class attendees with written training plans and additional resources, as needed

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

1. Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid government issued ID
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment
• Ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculation
• Understanding of humane care and treatment of animals
• Experience in customer service including handling difficult situations and managing conflict
• Strong interpersonal communication skills (verbal and writing) and proven ability to develop effective working relationships based on trust, positive attitude and follow through
• Strong data entry skills and the ability to maintain accurate records in a computer database system
• Ability to work at least one weekend day
• Fear Free Shelters certification or ability to complete certification within 60 days of hire

2. Preferred:

• a. Experience working or volunteering within an animal shelter (open admission preferred) or busy veterinary emergency clinic
• b. Experience working or volunteering with a rescue organization
• c. Training and experience in safe handling of dogs and cats
• d. Spanish fluency
• e. CPDT-KA or equivalent certification, or ability to complete certification within 1 year of hire or as testing periods allow

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Indoors in a high noise, air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at shelter, or on-location for various activities
2. Equipment use: Includes use of PC, laser printer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, power washer, and cleaning supplies
3. Work schedule will be as consistent as possible but some flexibility of days and/or hours may be occasionally required

MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND COMMUNICATION DEMANDS:

A successful candidate must be able to:

• Maintain a pleasant, courteous, professional, and informative demeanor with staff members, volunteers, and the public
• Have meticulous attention to detail, especially with regards to animal's medical status
• Regular exposure to animals, cleaning chemicals, fumes, animal feces, bites, and scratches
• Ability to work around pet dander, dust and other allergens without issues
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
• The employee must frequently bend, grip and be flexible to do so
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
• Sustain a full 8-10 hour day of walking, bending, and physical activity in the shelter
• Understand that euthanasia is sometimes a humane option for some animals.
• Work alone with minimal supervision
• Resolve conflicts successfully
• Communicate clearly, including excellent writing skills and an ability to speak in public

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor.  This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.

Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.