Job Description

Behavior Coordinator Humane Society for Hamilton County  

Starting Pay: $17.00-$18.00 per hour

Help animals move forward. Help people say yes. Do work that changes outcomes.

The Humane Society for Hamilton County is hiring a Behavior Coordinator to support the behavioral and emotional well-being of animals in our care. This role is perfect for someone with strong animal handling and training experience who can stay calm under pressure, communicate clearly, and help animals, staff, volunteers, and adopters succeed. If you are passionate about behavior, enrichment, humane handling, and creating better outcomes for shelter animals, this is meaningful work with real impact every single day.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will:

• Assess animal behavior and help develop individualized behavior and enrichment plans
• Support staff and volunteers in implementing behavior plans consistently
• Perform behavioral evaluations, retests, and daily rehab training
• Provide obedience training for dogs needing basic skills
• Help identify animals declining in the shelter environment and support intervention plans
• Counsel adopters on behavior concerns such as resource guarding, fearfulness, under-socialization, housebreaking, and how to set animals up for success
• Serve as a first responder during shelter emergencies using safe handling and de-escalation techniques
• Review behavioral histories and in-shelter observations to support timely and appropriate placement decisions
• Collaborate with behavior, kennel, cattery, and medical teams regarding animals with behavioral and medical-behavioral needs
• Enter behavior notes, test results, callback information, and updates accurately in PetPoint and related systems
• Help determine dogs eligible for daycare partners and provide weekly scheduling support
• Assist with opening and closing duties, department coverage, and additional operational needs as assigned

What We’re Looking For

• Have 2 or more years of animal training experience
• Are Fear Free Certified, or able to become certified
• Can safely handle and restrain dogs and cats of all temperaments, including reactive or high-stress animals
• Communicate with confidence, professionalism, and empathy
• Enjoy working with both animals and people
• Can guide adopters and staff through challenging behavior situations
• Are highly organized and comfortable with computers, email, Microsoft Office, and systems like PetPoint
• Can multitask, solve problems, and work independently with minimal supervision
• Are comfortable navigating difficult, stressful, and fast-moving situations
• Are able to lift at least 50 pounds and perform physical activity for 8-10 hours a day
• Are available to work some nights and weekends
• Thrive in an environment with animal sounds, smells, allergens, and constant movement
• Believe in a positive, whatever-it-takes culture
• Support and embrace a no-kill philosophy

What You’ll Love About Working Here

Because the Humane Society for Hamilton County is committed to the success and overall well-being of our team, we are proud to offer our full-time employees the following comprehensive benefits package:

• Medical Insurance: HSHC pays a flat amount toward each, full-time employee’s individual medical premium to make this benefit affordable. FT Employees are eligible for coverage on the first day of the month after their hire date. Multiple medical plans provided through Anthem BC/BS from which you can choose the best plan/deductible to meet your needs and budget.
• Dental & Vision Insurance: FT Employees are eligible for coverage on the first day of the month after their hire date. Our dental and vision plans are both comprehensive and affordable. These premiums are not covered by HSHC.
• Life Insurance: Each employee receives complimentary life insurance.
• Generous Paid Time Off starts accruing on your first day of employment.
• 401(K) Matching
• Employees Paid Weekly
• Professional Development & Career Planning
• Long/Short Term Disability
• FSA/HSA
• Employee Assistance Program
• Identity Theft Protection
• Mental Health Services
• Retirement Planning
• Annual Vaccines
• Monthly Preventatives
• Diagnostic Testing
• Prescription food and medications with a current DVM prescription (some exceptions apply)
• FREE X-Rays when staff time permits and no sedation is required (does not include cost to read results, some exceptions may apply)
• FREE Pet Supplies when available

Additional benefits available to full-time employees include:

All employee owned pets are eligible for significantly discounted products and services including:

The Environment

This is a role for someone who can read the room, read the animal, and respond with both skill and heart. One moment you may be coaching staff through a behavior plan, the next you may be supporting an adopter, responding to an urgent situation, or helping an animal build the skills they need for a successful future. It is hands-on, fast-paced, highly collaborative work that makes a direct difference in lifesaving outcomes.

Ready to Apply?

Qualified candidates should apply online or email a resume and cover letter to humanresources@hamiltonhumane.com .

At the Humane Society for Hamilton County, the work we do is life-changing — for animals, for families, and for our community. If that mission speaks to you, we would love to hear from you.

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