Behaviour & Welfare Coordinator

If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

POSITION:                 Behaviour & Welfare Coordinator

STATUS:                    Permanent; Full-Time

SHIFT:                        35 hours per week

LOCATION:                Provincial Office - Vancouver, BC

CLASSIFICATION:    Exempt           

WAGE:                        Salaried                                                          

CLOSING DATE:       Open Until Filled

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices.  Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website.  We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission and principles. 

The BC SPCA is a dynamic organization with facilities and services across the province of BC. Join an expanding team in an exciting time of change in an organization that makes a difference! Please read below for additional details and let us know if you have the skills and experience we are looking for by submitting your application.

About the Position:

Reporting to the Manager, Behaviour & Welfare, the Coordinator, Behaviour & Welfare supports animal centres in their efforts to meet BC SPCA welfare standards through the Canadian Standards of Care, promotes the Adoptability Guidelines in decision-making and assists in pathway planning to reduce the length of stay of animals.

This position works collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders to coordinate and consult on various behaviour and welfare related matters, including where to find resources and application of policies and procedures.

Some specific duties:

Community Animal Centre Support (50%):

• Assists Manager, Behaviour and Welfare with behaviour cases for shelter animals and recognize barriers in flow-through/pathway plans.
• Assists Community Animal Centre managers in developing and maintaining a database with approved community and shelter resources for their region.
• Participates in Large Scale Animal Intakes (LSAI) onsite, at the direction of the Manager, Behaviour and Welfare, providing support, recommendations and assistance with intake and daily care to meet behaviour and welfare needs.
• Provides remote assistance with LSAI files as required under the direction of Manager, Behaviour & Welfare, including animal intake processes and overall behaviour decisions and tracking.
•  Advises Centre Managers on the implementation and maintenance of Capacity for Care best practices in Community Animal Centres, supporting animal flow through relating to behaviour and welfare.
• Provides clarity and advice to Centre Managers regarding implementation of the behaviour and welfare components of the Canadian Standards of Care best practices and provides guidance on shelter audits through coaching and consultation.
• Brings clarity and context for behaviour and welfare policy and protocols to Centres Managers, to assist them with identification and decision-making in compliance of the Adoptability Guidelines in Community Animal Centres.
• Visits Community Animal Centres to support the implementation of ShelterSense systems,  including the identification of behaviour and welfare concerns, training needs, gaps in protocols, as required.

Training (10%):

• Assists the Manager, Behaviour and Welfare with remote and onsite training relating to ShelterSense systems, animal handling, animal management and all animal related behaviour and welfare policy and protocol.

Collaboration (20%):

• Supports Manager, Animal Transfer with transfer recommendations relating to behaviour and welfare.
• Supports Coordinator, Animal Flow to reduce behaviour & welfare-related (e.g. housing, matching, handling, etc) barriers to reducing length of stay.
• Builds relationships with Community Animal Centre teams to create strong communication flow and remove pathway barriers.
• Supports centre managers/staff with behaviour and welfare-related concerns in foster homes by assisting with obtaining information from fosters and providing expertise to trouble-shoot as necessary, including but not limited to:
  • finding out more information; and
  • training/coaching foster homes with behaviour modification
• Collaborates with centre managers and staff to support working with and building relationships with AnimalKind trainers.
  • Assists with clarifying expectations for AnimalKind trainers in working with BC SPCA animals.
  • May book sessions on behalf of centres, upon request.

Data tracking (20%):

• Records and maintains database on all reported bites.
• Generates reports, as required.
• Maintains database of Large Scale Animal Intake (LSAI) cases requiring support.
• Maintains database of Canadian Standards of Care audits.

Qualifications you need to have:

• A certification from CTC, KPA-KA, PCT-A, or IAABC (or acceptable equivalent)
• Relevant post-secondary education in related discipline such as animal training or direct animal care/welfare plus a minimum of three (3) years’ related experience; or a combination of education and experience acceptable to the Employer. 
• Relevant experience includes, but is not limited to:
• Working in a shelter environment
• Tracking data
• Providing outstanding service to stakeholders

• • Human and animal training
  • Reward-based and evidence-based training

• Genuine compassion for animals, knowledge of the Five Freedoms.

• Excellent computer skills in Windows, MS Office and online meeting software; knowledge of Shelter Buddy is considered an asset.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing deadlines and multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to respectfully relate to a diverse audience of stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Must be able to regularly travel to Animal Centres as required.
• Must have a valid Class 5 BC driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA mission, vision and strategic directions.

How to apply:

If you are interested in joining our team and are legally entitled to work in Canada, we would like to hear from you. Click on apply now or use the link to apply https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/careers/

We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please. 

The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001