Animal Behavior Assistant

The Hiring range for this position is: $21.73-$27.16/Hourly

The deadline to submit applications is Friday, April 4th, 2025. Initial review of submitted applications will commence shortly after. However, it is subject to close at any time without prior notice once a sufficient pool of qualified applicants is obtained.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT
Aurora Animal Services provides animal-related services for the city of Aurora. You can call them to pick up an injured or stray animals. Owners should search kennels in the shelter frequently for lost pets. The shelter also has many animals available for adoption.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform or assist with behavior assessments on animals, including dog to dog tests on eligible animals.
• Assist with transfer related emails, calls or voicemails.
• Assist with creation and implementation of enrichment plans for animals, updating as needed.
• Monitor inventory of behavior tools and supplies, including ordering, organizing, and identifying need.
• Identify animals in need of behavior related foster placement and coordinate those needs with the Foster team.
• Create adoption profiles and web memos for adoptable animals. Update accordingly if new information arises relating to the animal’s adoption requirements/qualifications at the direction of the Behavior and Transfer Coordinator.
• Assist with transporting animals as needed.
• Maintain and update shelter records, including dog test notes, evaluation notes, assessment memos, behavior notes, etc.
• Support shelter animal enrichment, including supplementation or additional efforts based on animal’s need and eligibility. This may include walks for long term stays, leading or supervising dog play groups, etc.
• Maintain the flow of animals in conjunction with the Behavior and Transfer Coordinator by changing statuses on animals as necessary, scheduling animals for surgery, and creating treatment requests once the animal has cleared their behavior assessment.
• Daily kennel walkthrough, including monitoring long-term residents’ quality of life, identifying animals in need of further enrichment or behavior modification, and facilitating movement of animals as needed.
• Assist with behavior related training and guidance for staff.
• Provide adoption counseling or owner surrender counseling to patrons as needed.
• Support volunteers through behavior related trainings, coordinating and performing buddy shifts for new volunteers with the Community Engagement Coordinator, providing guidance with different animals in the shelter, and entering or updating important notes in Chameleon and other pertinent areas. This includes foster volunteers, as well.
• Support open communication and teamwork with the Behavior and Transfer Coordinator to ensure cohesive and continuous support for the behavior program, volunteers, shelter staff, and shelter animals – including delegation of appropriate tasks to maintain timely completion.
• Serve as a secondary point of contact for volunteers and staff for behavior and population flow related questions and transfer partners, ensuring all communication is timely and respectful, including resolution of issues and general information.
• Supplement duties of Behavior & Transfer Coordinator in their absence to maintain population flow.
• Observes animals for signs of disease or injury and assists in rechecking animals.
• Maintains proper functioning and safety of shelter equipment; drives, cleans, and maintains vehicles assigned to shelter.
• Performs euthanasia and related tasks (training provided).
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Working Conditions

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education: 

High school diploma or equivalent

Experience: 

1 year of animal behavior related work experience

1 year of animal care, animal shelter or kennel environment work experience

Familiarity with pet animal behavior, preferably at least 1 year of professional dog training experience

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

Driver's License with a good driving record. 

Preferred Qualifications:

Euthanasia

Fear Free Shelter

Knowledge:

General knowledge of companion animal welfare, breeds, and species

Animal care knowledge/experience with animal care, including animal handling, feeding, cleaning, disease prevention and treatment, common illnesses, conditions, and animal behavior.

Animal welfare best practices along with state and local ordinances and regulations

Skills: 

Skill in handling animals safely and with care

Skill in providing friendly service to all shelter patrons.

excellent interpersonal communication skills – written and oral

high attention to detail.

Abilities to: 

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and citizens.

Handle difficult or stressful situations with tact and diplomacy.

Complete work without close supervision

Provide humane care and treatment for a variety of animals.

Perform euthanasia.

Operate a city vehicle.

Essential Personnel:

When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

Medium to heavy physical work requiring ability to lift 75 pounds with or without assistance.

Frequent lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Regular walking and standing

Full range of body movements including bending, kneeling, stooping, pushing, pulling, climbing, and crawling

Foot/eye coordination to operate motor vehicle.

Work Environment:

Subject to animal bites or scratches

Works primarily in an animal shelter with exposure to dust, noise, water, animal dangers, odors, and fumes.

Some work is performed outdoors or offsite.

Work performed in high noise level areas.

Exposure to cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal dander, and feces.

Able to work with rotating hours, holidays, weekends, and a flexible schedule.

Equipment Used:

Operates a motor vehicle.

Uses a variety of hand tools and equipment common to kennel operations.

This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.