Behavior and Enrichment Technician

Responsible to: Behavior and Enrichment Coordinator’s

Function

To provide compassionate care, enrichment, and behavioral support to shelter animals. The Behavior and Enrichment Technician helps animals feel safe, engaged, and comfortable while supporting their individual behavioral and emotional needs.

Duties

1. Provides daily exercise, play, socialization, enrichment, and positive interaction with shelter animals.
2. Observes animal behavior, body language, temperament, and changes in emotional well-being and reports concerns to appropriate staff.
3. Works with animals of all sizes, energy levels, and personalities, adapting interactions to meet individual needs.
4. Assists with behavior, enrichment, socialization, and training plans under the direction of the Behavior and Enrichment Coordinator’s.
5. Safely works with animals experiencing fear, anxiety, reactivity, overstimulation, or other behavioral challenges and asks for assistance when needed.
6. Uses positive, humane, and consistent handling and training techniques.
7. Uses creativity and problem-solving skills to work through unique behavioral situations and individual animal needs.
8. Is open to learning, feedback, and different approaches to animal behavior and care.
9. Provides routine care including food, water, grooming, cleaning, and laundry as needed.
10. Maintains clean, safe, and sanitary animal areas and enrichment spaces.
11. Communicates professionally with adopters, customers, volunteers, and staff and provides appropriate guidance regarding animal interactions.
12. Documents behavioral observations, enrichment activities, and other information as required.
13. Performs other related duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Experience with companion animals preferred.
• Interest in animal behavior and willingness to learn.
• Patient, compassionate, and comfortable working with animals with different needs and personalities.
• Ability to safely handle animals with behavioral challenges.
• Good observation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Creative, flexible, and open to feedback.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable working with dogs and other companion animals of varying sizes and temperaments.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• Animal-care experience preferred.
• Training or education in animal behavior, training, enrichment, or a related field is a plus.
• New York State driver’s license.
• Physical ability to perform the essential duties of the position.