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Animal Behavior Assistant

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Animal Behavior Assistant

Salary

$48,963.20 - $56,305.60 Annually

Location

Brighton, CO

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

07317

Department

Animal Shelter & Adoption Ctr

Division

Animal Shelter

Opening Date

01/09/2026

Closing Date

1/23/2026 4:30 PM Mountain

Our Mission

To responsibly serve the Adams County community with integrity and innovation.

EEO

Adams County is an equal opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected characteristic.

Position classification

Onsite -- Job duties and expectations require employee to be regularly scheduled onsite.

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

What Success Looks Like In This Job

Perform behavior evaluations, provide objective descriptions, and make disposition decisions. Assist Animal Care Technicians with completing morning clean. Direct the flow of animals through the behavior department and maintain a healthy capacity of behavior animals. Works to ensure stress reduction and makes recommendations for animals showing signs of kennel stress. Coordinate with enrichment volunteers to perform daily enrichments activities, maintain documentation to measure effectiveness, and monitor supplies. Serves as a mentor and resource for staff and volunteers. Works with Shelter Leadership and Veterinary Staff to ensure the shortest length of stay and highest quality of life standards possible for all shelter pets.

Examples of Duties for Success

+ Maintain and clean kennels.

+ Adhere to effective disease control practices.

+ Performs behavior evaluations daily in accordance with standardized assessments and provides detailed objective descriptions of the behavior observed.

+ Maintain and update all notes in Chameleon regarding behavior, behavior modification, and kennel enrichment.

+ Recommends animals for behavioral modification, training, foster, rescue, medical care, or euthanasia.

+ Establishes individual plans for behavior modification for at-risk animals, gauge effectiveness of modification plans for specific animals and be able to change plans as needed.

+ Speak directly and professionally with owners, adopters, staff, and volunteers regarding a pet’s behavior and suitability for adoption through Riverdale Animal Shelter.

+ Provide post adoption follow up and support for any behavior questions or challenges in person, over the phone, or through email.

+ In conjunction with Volunteer Coordinator, integrates and takes an active role in training volunteers for animal enrichment.

+ Maintains enrichment supplies and a clean and tidy work area.

+ Execute approved enrichment and ensure proper documentation.

+ Works closely with Shelter Veterinary Team to ensure timely and appropriate treatment for medical concerns.

+ Coordinates appropriate housing within the animal shelter based on animal needs.

+ Participates in creation of shelter protocols.

+ Provides staff training as it relates to assessment and behavior.

+ Works with Community Engagement Manager and Volunteer Coordinator to select animals for social media and offsite events.

+ Works with the Foster Care Coordinator to provide guidance to foster parents caring for animals with behavioral concerns.

+ Participates in County and Shelter training as assigned.

+ Participate in Shelter, County, and various animal welfare community meetings as needed.

+ Fosters and maintains relationships with partner shelters and rescue organizations to facilitate transfer of animals.

+ Works with Shelter leadership team to continuously improve quality of life for all shelter animals.

+ Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications for Success

+ Use standardized assessments methods and practices to perform behavior assessments of all dogs and cats entering the shelter.

+ Make recommendations and/or supports the decisions of the Shelter Operations Manager and the Director regarding the most current and humane behavior modification and training practices.

+ Knowledge of dog and cat behavior.

+ Use and promote positive reinforcement and low stress handling methods.

+ Understand and use modern and complex principles and practices of animal care.

+ Learn and maintain knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

+ Seek ways to improve and enhance the shelter's operations, animal care, and services.

+ Using excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other employees, community and shelter partners, and members of the public. Consistently models open and productive communication.

+ Exercise good judgment when interacting with the public, volunteers, employee issues, animal-related concerns, and confidential information.

+ Execute projects with little supervision and work independently.

+ Must be highly self-motivated and well organized to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced work environment.

+ Must be willing to support and communicate Riverdale Animal Shelter euthanasia policies and decisions.

+ Computer skills: Basic computer and data entry skills. Knowledge of Chameleon Software preferred.

+ Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

+ Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

More Qualifications for Success

Experience:

+ At least two (2) years of hands-on experience working with animals, including animal handling and breed identification.

+ At least one (1) year of experience performing animal assessments in a shelter environment required.

+ CPDT-KA, KPA, CTC, certification or equivalent preferred.

+ Preferred: Background in animal behavior preferred; dog training and/or behavior modification experience with positive reinforcement and force free method; and/or experience working in an open-admissions shelter environment.

Education and Training:

+ High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

+ Preferred:College degree.

Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.

Adams County and the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office complies with Colorado’s Job Application Fairness Act (“JAFA”). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.

Adams County provides a comprehensive benefits package to employees that goes above and beyond what is offered at most organizations.

Clickhere (https://youtu.be/ILAvllPaGb4) to watch our video about why Adams County is an Employer of Choice!

Benefits You Expect:

+ AFLAC Supplemental Medical Insurance

+ Basic Term Life & Optional Term Life Insurance

+ Deferred Compensation Plan

+ Dental/Vision/Medical Plans

+ Generous Vacation/Sick leave

+ Long-Term Disability

+ Retirement Plan

+ Short-Term Disability

Plus some you might not expect:

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ Employee Fitness Center

+ Employee Health Clinics

+ Flexible Work Schedules

+ Recreation Center Discounts

+ Training & Tuition Reimbursement Programs

+ Wellness programs

+ Lactation friendly certified workplace

01

Please be aware that your cover letter and resume will not be accessed in the initial screening process, so you must complete your application and supplemental questions with as much detail as possible. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your cover letter and resume will then be accessible to the hiring team. Information provided on the application is used to determine if a candidate meets minimum qualifications. Only information provided at the time of the application being completed will be considered and additional information that is not listed on the application will not be considered when deciding if a candidate meets or does not meet the qualifications. Applicants are STRONGLY encouraged to include all information and details on their application. I understand and agree that only information provided at the time of my application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum requirements for this position.

+ Yes, I understand and agree

+ Yes, I understand but disagree.

02

This role requires at least two (2) years of hands-on experience working with animals, including animal handling and breed identification. Do you meet this requirement?

+ Yes

+ No

03

At least one (1) year of experience performing animal assessments in a shelter environment is required. Do you meet this requirement?

+ Yes

+ No

04

A High School Diploma or GED equivalent is required for this role. Do you possess a High School diploma or GED equivalent?

+ Yes

+ No

05

Do you have a CPDT-KA, KPA, CTC, or equivalent certification?

+ Yes

+ No

06

If you answered "yes," please indicate which certification(s) or additional training you possess.

07

What are your thoughts, beliefs and/or experiences with humane animal euthanasia?

Required Question

Employer

Adams County

Address

4430 S. Adams County Parkway, Suite C4000BBrighton, Colorado, 80601-8213

Website

http://www.adcogov.org/current-career-opportunities

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