Want to work for a progressive, effective, and innovative lifesaving animal shelter caring for nearly 10,000 animals a year?

Join our team at the Nevada Humane Society as a Behavior and Transfer Coordinator at our Reno Campus.

We are proud to be a high save organization and are looking for individuals who enjoy working with people as much as working with animals.

Help us care for our animal population daily and match families with a new best friend.

We offer a fast-paced environment with competitive pay, and a free medical benefits package!

Our Behavior and Transfer Coordinator will:

As a Behavior and Transfer Coordinator, you contribute to Nevada Humane Societies’ (NHS) mission by assessing the behavioral health of animals entering the shelter; supporting the wellbeing of housed animals through training, enrichment, and behavior intervention; and educating staff, volunteers, and the public on topics related to animal handling, welfare, and behavior. Your work supports collaboration with our community transfer partners and the behavioral health and wellbeing of animals housed at NHS, and reflects our commitment to care for pets, find them homes and save lives.

The Reno/Tahoe region is host to a growing population of motivated professionals who work hard but value a work life balance and lean into the numerous outdoor recreational opportunities of the region.

Sweeping ski and snowboard vistas pair with stunning water experiences at nearby Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake, complemented by numerous hiking, biking and park amenities – together these options make an active day in the valley or in the nearby mountains a matter of which terrain you want to experience.

 In fact, Reno was named by Outsider Magazine as the #1 Happiest Place to Live in the United States in 2023, citing the burgeoning craft brewing scene, its annual monthlong summer art festival (Artown), as well as the prolific Burning Man installations made public thanks to its proximity to Burning Man, and the relatively affordable cost of living.

Home to Nevada’s first university, the University of Nevada, Reno, the region comes alive with school spirit. It also boasts an impressive number of community-minded professionals, a number that is growing thanks to blue chip companies like Tesla and Microsoft.  

With approximately 300 days of sunlight each year, a diverse economy, and a wealth of options for adventure, the Reno/Tahoe area is a perfect home for a nonprofit professional looking to continue the next chapter of their career in a bustling and welcoming community.

Primary Purpose:

As a Behavior and Transfer Coordinator, you contribute to Nevada Humane Societies’ (NHS) mission by assessing the behavioral health of animals entering the shelter; supporting the wellbeing of housed animals through training, enrichment, and behavior intervention; and educating staff, volunteers, and the public on topics related to animal handling, welfare, and behavior. Your work supports collaboration with our community transfer partners and the behavioral health and wellbeing of animals housed at NHS, and reflects our commitment to care for pets, find them homes and save lives.

Essential Responsibilities

Position-Specific Responsibilities

1. Collaborate with the Behavior and Transfer Manager to create and implement enrichment programs and behavior modification plans, including exercise, enrichment, and training to support each animal's behavior needs during their stay, decrease the length of stay, and increase potential for adoption, transfer, or foster care.
2. Assist with assessments and transfers of animals into and out of NHS’s care.
3. Assist with identifying animals who need further assessment or support and coordinate care with appropriate departments.
4. Teach handling, behavior, and training classes to NHS staff and volunteers.
5. Mentor volunteers by demonstrating proper handling skills, communicating behavior plans, and identifying animals in need of additional support.
6. Handle all animals safely and humanely using proper restraint techniques and industry best practices. 
7. Assist Dog Team with potential adopter visits and dog-dog introductions for dogs with waivers and restrictions.
8. Travel between Reno and Carson facilities, including transport of animals.
9. Assist Behavior and Transfer Manager with other projects as assigned.

General Responsibilities

1. Helps promote fundraising activities and solicit support of agency overall.
2. Interacts with co-workers and volunteers in an efficient and courteous manner to ensure a cooperative team environment amongst all departments.
3. Maintain and promote a positive public image relevant to Nevada Humane Society standards.
4. Represents Nevada Humane Society, professionally with customers, donors, and business partners.
5. Attend and participate in departmental and shelter meetings. Attend educational conferences/seminars as recommended/approved.
6. In the event of an emergency, assist with the handling and evacuation of animals located at any Nevada Humane Society campus.
7. Participate in disaster preparedness and response activities for the organization and community as it pertains to pet related needs.
8. Address and/or report any safety hazards or unsafe activities.
9. Perform other responsibilities as requested by direct management, and/or the CEO.

Working conditions

Position-Specific Working Conditions

1. Work is performed both in a temperature-controlled animal shelter as well as outdoors onsite or in the field.
2. Exposure to environmental factors is likely (e.g., temperature variations, weather extremes, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal waste, hazardous chemicals or chemicals requiring OSHA MSDS, anesthetics, sharp objects, and potentially hostile persons and/or dangerous or fractious animals).
3. May require travel within a workday on a regular basis.
4. Work is also performed outdoors and/or offsite for shelter events.
5. Use of personal vehicles may occasionally be required for fieldwork; mileage allowance will be provided.

General Working Conditions

Working for NHS in any capacity is safety sensitive due to the responsibilities of this business that directly affect the wellbeing and safety of employees, animals and the public.

1. Work will be performed in a variety of environmentally controlled and uncontrolled conditions.
2. Due to the housing of live animals onsite, work hours may take place at any time within a 24-hour period, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Operational and public hours may vary by department or location and are subject to change. Attendance at events and other functions may require additional hours, holiday, weekend, evening overnight, or on-call work.
3. Exposure to allergens produced by animal dander, saliva, or fur, throughout all areas of the shelter, or other locations.
4. Exposure to zoonotic, or otherwise communicable disease.
5. Exposure to animals with unpredictable or aggressive behavior. 
6. Exposure to animals that may scratch or bite unexpectedly.
7. Exposure to direct or indirect injury from an animal or other mechanical means used to confine, control, or provide essential care for any animal housed with NHS.
8. May require travel within a workday on a regular basis. May require overnight travel intermittently.

Position-Specific Equipment Use

1. Gear common to training industry such as but not limited to treats and treat pouches, clickers, leashes, including slip leads, catch polls and tethers, muzzles, stuffed dogs and other decoys.
2. Carts and kennels for transporting animals.

General Equipment Use

1. Telephone or mobile device.
2. Computer, printer, copier and/or scanner.
3. Two-way radios.
4. Other office-related equipment.
5. May require use of personal and company vehicles.

Physical & Mental Demands

Position-Specific Mental Demands

1. Must be able to work at a fast and efficient pace, remaining professional, patient, and tactful with potentially difficult or emotional people.

General Mental Demands

1. Demonstrated ability to maintain emotional balance, competently and reasonably manage daily exposure to various animal welfare concerns, including adverse outcomes for animals, ethically complex situations, and hostile clients. 
2. Must have ability to make decisions based on reasonable judgment.
3. Must have ability to work with the public, staff and volunteers in a fair and ethical manner.
4. Requires the ability to think clearly, act quickly and utilize sound judgment in a variety of situations.

Position-Specific Physical Demands

1. This position may involve desk and computer work as well as being active and on your feet for long periods of time.
2. This position may include (vehicle) travel back and forth to outside venues and other facilities.
3. This position is safety sensitive due to the duties in this role that directly affect the wellbeing and safety of employees and the public.
4. This position involves the risk of exposure to animals with unpredictable or aggressive animal behavior. 
5. This position involves exposure to allergens produced by exposure to animal dander, saliva, or fur.
6. This position involves the risk of scratches, bites, and other direct or indirect injury from an animal or other mechanical means used to confine or control an animal.
7. Requires willingness and ability to work varied hours and dates, including weekends.
8. Requires lifting heavy objects (up to 50 pounds), bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing, and other strenuous activities.
9.  Ability to safely handle, control, and work with animals of all kinds, including large dogs.

General Physical Demands

1. The physical ability to be at the shelter for the duration of each scheduled shift and other offsite locations as assigned or required to provide essential care to all animals under the care of NHS.
2. Physical ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday to provide essential care for all animals under the care of NHS.
3. Physical ability to engage in repetitive motions of all limbs and the dexterity to grasp and hold small items with both hands, to move animals and goods. ability to hear, and discern noises from within 3 feet of you, visual acuity, near, far, depth, color vision, to provide essential care to all animals under the care of NHS.
4. Ability to and willingness to physically be near and handle any animals, and required tools, supplies, materials, used to safely and humanely manage their care.

Experience and Qualification Requirements

Position-Specific Requirements

1. Knowledge of animal behavior and body language, especially dog and/or cat.
2. Knowledge and practical experience in basic dog training.
3. Ability to function independently or as a team, while managing multiple projects.
4. Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.  
5. Strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy.
6. Possession of a valid Nevada or California Driver’s license with valid registration and insurance of personal vehicles for all positions that require driving as an essential function. 

General Requirements

1. 18 years of age or older.
2. Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines efficiently.
3. Staying updated on community developments, particularly in animal welfare.
4. High degree of accuracy and meticulous attention to detail.
5. Excellent verbal, written, and observational skills.
6. Self-starter with a goal-oriented mindset, willing to exceed prescribed work and time schedules to meet deadlines.
7. Possession of a valid Driver’s License with valid registration and insurance for personal vehicles, essential for positions requiring driving.
8. Demonstrated commitment to the welfare of animals and alignment with the mission of the Nevada Humane Society.
9. Consistently treat animals with compassion and respect, both professionally and personally, and promote these values to others.
10. Strict adherence to all local regulations concerning the ownership and care of personal animals.
11. Comprehensive understanding of pet behavior and care, with the capability to handle various animals safely and responsibly.
12. Maintaining a consistently positive and professional demeanor is essential.
13. A sincere interest in the Nevada Humane Society’s mission and vision.

Position-Specific Desired Experience

1. Minimum one (1) year of animal training/handling experience.

General Desired Experience

1. Experience in same or related position in a nonprofit setting-preferably animal welfare.
2. Record of continually increasing responsibilities with measurable results.

Additional Beneficial Qualifications

1. College degree.
2. Experience in a nonprofit agency.
3. Animal welfare experience.

Salary : $21 - $23