VOLUNTEER
We are a collaborative team of talented individuals who bring their skills and experience from the frontlines of companion animal welfare across the country to improve the conditions for animals and the people who care for them. We achieve this through elevating the education and skill level
of shelter staff and volunteers everywhere on welfare forward practices. Individually and as a team, we continually elevate our own knowledge, skills, and abilities so that we can continue to provide best-in class education that centers great animal welfare.
Who We Are
Why Volunteer for SPA?
If you are passionate about animal welfare, you can make an impact across the globe by volunteering with our team. We expect a lot from you; and you get a lot back. In exchange for your hard work, you have the opportunity to grow through collaboration with some of the best in the industry.
Content Associate or Lead
Design, develop, and post written and visual content via the Shelter Playgroup Alliance newsletter tool, Constant Contact, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, SPA Guidelines and Wix. Content will be related to animal welfare, sheltering practices, animal behavior, advertisement, and organizational news. Reports to the Director of Marketing and Educational Content Development. Maximum of four positions available.
Time commitment: 1 hour per week
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (associate level):
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (associate level):
• Completion of the SPA CORE program
• Foundational knowledge of operant and classical conditioning procedures • Ability to demonstrate highly effective marker training skills with a single species • Foundational understanding of US-based sheltering systems, including
challenges and opportunities for behavior staff to improve welfare of sheltered animals
• Foundational knowledge of the Shelter Playgroup Alliance ethical approach to shelter animal enrichment, including playgroups
• Ability to demonstrate effective behavior modification for shelter animals as well as articulate the limitations of in-shelter behavior modification
• Foundational knowledge of best practices in newsletter design and creation
Degrees and/or Certifications (one or more of the following):
• CPDT-KA or CPDT-KSA
• KPA-CTP
• IAABC-SBA
• IAABC-CSB-D, C
• CDBC, CCBC, CPBC or similar
• BA, BS, MS or MA in animal welfare, biological sciences, and/or psychology
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (lead level):
• SPA CORE, CARS, and BEAR programs
• Comprehensive knowledge of operant and classical conditioning procedures • Ability to demonstrate highly effective marker training skills with a variety of species
• Comprehensive understanding of US-based sheltering systems, including challenges and opportunities for behavior staff to improve welfare of sheltered animals
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Shelter Playgroup Alliance ethical approach to shelter animal enrichment, including playgroups
• Ability to demonstrate effective behavior modification for shelter animals as well as articulate the limitations of in-shelter behavior modification
• Foundational knowledge of best practices in newsletter design and creation
Preferred experience:
Current or recent staff or volunteer position at a United States-based shelter, preferably within the last five years
Other qualifications:
• Highly collaborative
• Seeks feedback and input from others
• Flexible and responsive to feedback and input
• Rated as “significant evidence” on the majority of areas on the SPA competency rubric
Grading Team: CORE, CARS, and BEAR
Provide direct, kind, and accurate feedback to learners in the CORE, CARS, and BEAR on-line programs. Accurately assess submissions against the grading rubric and criteria for each module. Reports to the Director of Online Education.
Time commitment: 1 hour per week
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (associate level):
• Completion of the SPA CORE program
• Comprehensive knowledge of operant and classical conditioning procedures • Ability to demonstrate highly effective marker training skills with a variety of species
• Comprehensive understanding of US-based sheltering systems, including challenges and opportunities for behavior staff to improve welfare of sheltered animals
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Shelter Playgroup Alliance ethical approach to shelter animal enrichment, including playgroups
• Ability to demonstrate effective behavior modification for shelter animals as well as articulate the limitations of in-shelter behavior modification
Degrees and/or Certifications (one or more of the following):
• CPDT-KA or CPDT-KSA
• KPA-CTP
• IAABC-SBA
• IAABC-CSB-D, C
• CDBC, CCBC, CPBC or similar
• BA, BS, MS or MA in animal welfare, biological sciences, and/or psychology
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (lead level):
• Completion of the SPA CORE, CARS, and BEAR programs
• Comprehensive knowledge of operant and classical conditioning procedures • Ability to demonstrate highly effective marker training skills with a variety of species
• Comprehensive understanding of US-based sheltering
systems, including challenges and opportunities for behavior staff to improve welfare of sheltered animals
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Shelter Playgroup Alliance ethical approach to shelter animal enrichment, including playgroups
• Ability to demonstrate effective behavior modification for shelter animals as well as articulate the limitations of in-shelter behavior modification
• Demonstrated skill in all aspects of the Litmos LMS, and ability to troubleshoot minor issues
• Ability to respond to complicated assignments associated with CARS and BEAR assignments, often using email to offer more in-depth feedback
Preferred experience:
Current or recent staff or volunteer position at a United States-based shelter, preferably within the last five years
Other qualifications:
• Highly collaborative
• Seeks feedback and input from others
• Flexible and responsive to feedback and input
• Rated as “significant evidence” on the majority of areas on the SPA competency rubric
In-person Workshop Instructor: Safe Handling, CORE, BEAR
Provide direct, kind, and accurate guidance to learners during in-person workshops on safe handling procedures. Reports to the Director of In-Person Education.
Time commitment: 5-6 consecutive days per year (in addition to 1 hour per week on grading team)
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (associate level):
• Completion of the SPA CORE program
• Comprehensive understanding of US-based sheltering systems, including challenges and opportunities for behavior staff to improve welfare of sheltered animals
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Shelter Playgroup Alliance ethical approach to shelter animal enrichment, including playgroups
• Comprehensive understanding of safety risks in shelters and safe handling procedures, including defensive handling and two-handler procedures
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (lead level):
• Completion of the SPA CORE and CARS programs
• Comprehensive knowledge of operant and classical conditioning procedures • Ability to demonstrate highly effective marker training skills with a variety of species • Comprehensive understanding of US-based sheltering systems, including challenges and opportunities for behavior staff to improve welfare of sheltered animals
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Shelter Playgroup Alliance ethical approach to shelter animal enrichment, including
• Ability to demonstrate effective behavior modification for shelter animals as well as articulate the limitations of in-shelter behavior modification
• Exceptional critical thinking skills
• Completed at least one SPA workshop as a participant or as a coach • Currently or has recent experience leading and managing inter-dog introductions, interactions or play in or outside the shelter setting
• Current or past experience as a consultant doing complex behavior modification in or out of shelter
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities (coach level):
• Completion of the SPA CORE program
• Comprehensive understanding of US-based sheltering systems, including challenges and opportunities for behavior staff to improve welfare of sheltered animals
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Shelter Playgroup Alliance ethical approach to shelter animal enrichment, including playgroups
• Comprehensive understanding of safety risks in shelters and safe handling procedures, including defensive handling and two-handler procedures
• Completed at least one SPA workshop as a participant or as an associate
Preferred experience:
Current or recent staff or volunteer position at a United States-based shelter, preferably within the last five years
Other qualifications:
• Highly collaborative
• Seeks feedback and input from others
• Flexible and responsive to feedback and input
• Rated as “significant evidence” on the majority of areas on the SPA competency rubric
Degrees and/or Certifications (one or more of the following):
• CPDT-KA or CPDT-KSA
• KPA-CTP
• IAABC-SBA
• IAABC-CSB-D, C
• CDBC, CCBC, CPBC or similar
• BA, BS, MS or MA in animal welfare, biological sciences, and/or psychology