Animal Trainer - Full Time
2 days ago
Pasadena
Job Description PASADENA HUMANE is a non-profit animal welfare organization looking for passionate professionals to join our team. JOIN US & Make a Difference! THE MISSION To lead the way toward a compassionate and caring community for all animals. OUR VALUES LEARNING: We commit to best practice and professional development through continuous education. INTEGRITY: We value honest and transparent communication and decision making using evidence based practices. COLLABORATION: We value teamwork in our organization and partnerships with our community to deliver exceptional service. KINDNESS: We show compassion, care, respect and empathy to all animals and humans without prejudice or discrimination. INTERNAL CANDIDATE MUST DISCUSS THEIR INTENT TO APPLY WITH THEIR CURRENT MANAGER. JOB TITLE: Animal Trainer FLSA: Non-Exempt FT/PT: Full-Time SUMMARY The Animal Trainer, under the supervision of the Animal Training Manager, supports Pasadena Humane’s mission by working collaboratively with pet guardians to strengthen and preserve the human–animal bond. Through science-based, humane training and effective people-coaching skills, the Animal Trainer helps families better understand and care for their dogs and cats. The Animal Training department works closely with other Pasadena Humane departments to provide critical behavioral support, including assistance to foster parents, post-adoption behavior support, and fee-waived training opportunities through the Helping Paws Community Resources program. The Animal Trainer will be responsible for preparing, assisting with, and conducting a wide range of animal training programs, which may include offsite community events, staff and volunteer training, helpline phone consultations, virtual and in-person public classes, webinars, private consultations, and special promotional events. In all aspects of the role, the Animal Trainer will apply their knowledge of learning theory, evidence-based training methods, and compassionate communication to support positive outcomes for animals and the people who care for them, in alignment with Pasadena Humane’s mission, values, and philosophies. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Volunteers JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE: • Develop, write, and deliver science-based, humane training curricula for dogs and cats, instructing and assisting with classes ranging from basic to advanced skill levels using LIFE (Least Intrusive, Functionally Effective) principles., • Provide post-adoption guidance and behavior support to adopters, foster parents, and community members, including fee-waived training opportunities through the Helping Paws Community Resources program., • Conduct private pet behavior consultations, both in-person and virtual, applying learning theory and evidence-based training methods., • Collaborate closely with other Pasadena Humane departments to support foster programs, adoption success, and positive outcomes for animals in care and in the community., • Ensure a positive, inclusive, and educational customer service experience with the goal of increasing access to resources, educating the public, and keeping animals in homes whenever appropriate., • Represent Pasadena Humane professionally while addressing participant questions or concerns and assisting with the resolution of customer complaints., • Prepare training spaces by setting up, breaking down, cleaning, and organizing classrooms and equipment to ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment., • Maintain department equipment and supplies in good working condition and report repair or replacement needs to supervisory staff., • Train, support, and collaborate with class volunteers, including developing and maintaining volunteer training protocols., • Participate in off-site community events, special programs, writing, or creation of educational or promotional materials as requested by the Animal Training Manager., • Maintain positive, respectful, and collaborative relationships with staff and volunteers across all departments., • Demonstrate a high level of empathy, emotional intelligence, and strong people-coaching skills when working with pet guardians, recognizing the stress and challenges that can accompany behavior concerns., • Uphold Pasadena Humane’s mission, values, and philosophies and contribute to a culture of philanthropy and community engagement., • Follow all safety protocols, maintain a safe working environment, and actively participate in Pasadena Humane’s safety programs., • Work collaboratively as part of the Animal Training team and with departmental leadership on special projects and initiatives., • Perform other duties as assigned. WORK SCHEDULE • Must come to work regularly and on time. Must be available for early and/or late hours. Must be able to work early hours according to the needs of the department schedule, including weekends and holidays. REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS • Minimum high school graduate (or GED/proficiency certificate)., • At least 18 years of age at time of appointment., • Candidates must hold at least one of the listed credentials at the time of hire or successfully obtain one within the first six (6) months of employment., • CPDT-KA/KSA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP, IAABC-ADT, IAABC-CDBC, IAABC-CCBC, IAABC-SBA, IAABC- CSB‑D/CSB‑C, • Proven experience observing body language and handling animals using LIFE/Fear Free methods., • Previous experience assisting or teaching group classes is required, • Must possess strong people-coaching and teaching skills and the ability to apply animal behavior and learning theory in practice., • Previous experience working in an animal shelter and familiarity with shelter animal behavior is strongly preferred., • Bilingual a plus (Armenian, Spanish, Mandarin, and/or Cantonese)., • Must be comfortable with coaching adopters including identifying and speaking about complex behaviors, speaking about relinquishment and/or behavioral euthanasia, • Must possess ability to listen empathetically to needs of clients and adopters, • Ability to assess and determine if an animal is appropriate for group classes is required., • Adept at listening to clients’ and volunteers’ needs and be able to apply their teaching skills to people as well as animals., • Knowledge of and ability to safely use training equipment including long-line leashes in a skilled manner is required. Candidate must be able to work within the confines of established curriculum and protocols as well as offer creative ideas to grow the Animal Training Department., • Proficient in computer applications including Microsoft 365 and email. Experience with Chameleon, Shelterluv, Kustomer, and/or VolunteerMatters a plus., • Must be prepared to handle and work with a variety of animals of various breeds and sizes and exhibiting a variety of behaviors, including those with challenges., • Strong sense of professional judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality., • Must be able to model Pasadena Humane’s Core Values of Learning, Integrity Collaboration and Kindness., • Must interact positively with supervisor, management, coworkers, volunteers, and the public to promote a team effort and maintain a positive and professional approach., • Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision., • Must provide positive, proactive customer service, • Must have a positive attitude and a sense of humor WORKING CONDITIONS Fast-paced environment. Employees are exposed to numerous animals (living and deceased), including those with uncertain dispositions. They are required to act in a safe and responsible manner. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and/or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Pasadena Humane is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy not to engage in discrimination against any individual, or harassment of any person seeking employment with our organization on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, genetic information or status as a covered veteran including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increase, salary, training and development, demotion, and separation. This policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws.