Dog Behavior Specialist

Dog Behavior Specialist (Full-Time)

Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter – Riverwoods, IL

At Orphans of the Storm, we believe every dog deserves more than just a safe place to stay—they deserve the opportunity to thrive while they're here. We're looking for a compassionate, knowledgeable, and motivated Dog Behavior Specialist to help enrich the lives of our shelter dogs every day through training, behavior support, and meaningful enrichment.

This role is dedicated to promoting each dog's emotional and physical well-being, helping them build confidence, learn new skills, and preparing them for success in their future homes. From creating enrichment plans and conducting behavior evaluations to supporting adopters, foster families, and volunteers, you'll play a key role in improving the quality of life for every dog in our care.

Essential Responsibilities

• Design, prepare, and implement daily enrichment programs that promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of shelter dogs.
• Develop individualized enrichment and behavior plans for dogs with specialized behavioral or medical needs, including staff-only dogs and those requiring modified handling.
• Conduct behavioral evaluations for dogs entering the shelter from transport partners and other intake sources.
• Manage behavioral holds for dogs exhibiting fear, shyness, reactivity, handling sensitivities, concerning post-adoption return behaviors, or those under rabies observation.
• Monitor behavioral progress and determine when dogs are ready for adoption.
• Provide behavioral counseling and ongoing support to adopters and foster families to help set dogs up for long-term success.
• Assist in leading the Volunteer Behavior Team (VBT), including training volunteers, developing individualized volunteer training plans, monitoring progress, and providing coaching.
• Supervise volunteer pack walks and assist with playgroups to encourage appropriate socialization, confidence building, and enrichment.
• Coordinate transfers for dogs whose behavioral or welfare needs are better suited to breed-specific rescues or sanctuary placements.
• Maintain accurate behavioral documentation in shelter management software and internal communication systems.
• Assist prospective adopters during meet-and-greets with behaviorally complex dogs, ensuring safe and successful introductions.
• Write detailed behavioral profiles and adoption notes outlining each dog's personality, training needs, behavioral considerations, and recommendations.
• Collaborate closely with the veterinary, animal care, volunteer, foster, and adoption teams to provide consistent behavioral support throughout each dog's stay.
• Utilize positive reinforcement-based training methods to modify behavior and improve welfare.

Qualifications

• Formal education or training in animal behavior, canine behavior, animal training, veterinary technology, animal science, zoology, or a related field is required, or an equivalent combination of professional experience.
• Certification through a recognized behavior or training organization such as CPDT-KA, CPDT-KSA, KPA CTP, IAABC, Fear Free Certified Professional, or a similar credential is strongly preferred, but not required.
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience working with dogs in a shelter, rescue, veterinary, daycare, boarding, or training environment.
• Strong knowledge of canine body language, behavior modification, learning theory, enrichment, and positive reinforcement training methods.
• Experience developing and implementing enrichment and behavior modification plans for dogs with a variety of temperaments and behavioral needs.
• Ability to confidently and safely handle dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments, including fearful, reactive, or behaviorally complex dogs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to educate adopters, foster families, volunteers, and staff on canine behavior and handling techniques.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency with basic computer programs and the ability to maintain detailed behavioral documentation in shelter software.

Physical Requirements

This position requires frequent physical activity and the ability to:

• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds independently and more than 50 pounds with assistance.
• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, squat, and climb stairs for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Safely handle large, strong, fearful, reactive, or highly energetic dogs using appropriate handling equipment and techniques.
• Frequently leash, restrain, lift, and transport animals.
• Work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Tolerate exposure to animal dander, fur, cleaning chemicals, loud noises, odors, and bodily fluids.
• Respond quickly and calmly during emergency situations involving animals or people.
• Perform repetitive tasks, including cleaning kennels, preparing enrichment items, moving supplies, and setting up training equipment.

Schedule

• Full-time
• Weekend and holiday availability required.
• Occasional evening hours may be required for special events, transports, or training opportunities.

Why Join Our Team?

At Orphans of the Storm, every day is an opportunity to improve a dog's life. As our Dog Behavior Specialist, you'll play a vital role in ensuring every dog receives individualized enrichment, behavioral support, and opportunities to thrive while awaiting their forever home. Whether you're helping a shy dog gain confidence, creating engaging enrichment activities, coaching volunteers, or celebrating a successful match with a new family, your work will directly impact the welfare of homeless animals and the people whose lives they change.

If you're passionate about canine behavior, committed to force-free, positive reinforcement training, and believe every dog deserves the opportunity to succeed, we'd love to hear from you. Join our team and help create brighter futures—one dog at a time.

Benefits Include:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• A meaningful opportunity to make a difference for animals and the people who love them