Dog Pathways Coordinator

Overview

The Dog Pathways Coordinator supports the well-being, behavioral assessment, and overall shelter experience of dogs under the care of Oakland Animal Services (OAS). This role focuses on evaluating dogs for adoption suitability, monitoring their progress and stress levels, and ensuring each dog receives the structure, support, and enrichment they need while at the shelter. In collaboration with volunteers and other staff, the coordinator maintains a comprehensive understanding of the shelter’s dog population and helps guide decisions that promote positive outcomes for all dogs.

While the coordinator oversees the overall dog program within the shelter, they will collaborate closely with other units, each of which maintains responsibility and final decision-making authority within their respective areas. For example, the Medical Director retains full authority over all medical care, and the Volunteer Coordinator oversees all aspects of the volunteer program.

Intake-to-placement

• Maintain an overall understanding of the shelter’s current dog population, including behavioral needs, length of stay, medical status, and other considerations.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams to discuss and recommend appropriate pathways for OAS dogs, including leading the weekly Animal Review Team meetings.
• Perform regular (ideally daily) shelter walk‑throughs to assess the well‑being of all dogs, monitor overall population needs, and identify any dogs who may need to be moved or need additional attention/support.
• Assist shelter staff with regular population assessment to ensure status/status changes are up to date.
• Keep dogs moving through the shelter, ensuring each dog has an outcome pathway while working to minimize length of stay and keeping the shelter at an appropriate capacity.
• Identify dogs who may need additional behavior support or alternative placement options, and work with internal teams to determine the best course of action.
• Work in close coordination with other team members including shelter management, animal care, veterinary, foster, adoption, and transfer staff, and volunteers.

Behavior evaluations

• Perform dog handling evaluations/assessments.
• Identify and maintain a list of dogs who are awaiting handling evaluations.
• Review and take into consideration owner surrender information.
• Compile behavior/handling/playgroup notes from staff, fosters, and volunteers.
• Maintain meticulous records of behavior observations and disclosures using the shelter database software.
• Ensure that records of animal care, status, and location are accurately reflected in using the shelter database software.
• Maintain and oversee a system for gathering staff and volunteer behavior observations (such as via the volunteer community board, forms, or other tools) and regularly communicate behavioral changes and relevant insights to staff and volunteers, including communicating euthanasia decisions.
• Regularly assess and adjust the volunteer handling level assigned to each dog to ensure safe and appropriate interactions.
• Regularly monitor and update behavior profiles.
• Determine whether each dog is suitable, behaviorally, to be made available for adoption.
• Train other staff or volunteers to perform/assist with handling evaluations.

Behavior support for other teams

• Research and assess external behavior‑support tools or vendor solutions (e.g., online behavior programs) to determine feasibility and usefulness for shelter teams, particularly the adoption and foster teams.
• In collaboration with the volunteer coordinator and dog mentors, conduct an assessment of each dog volunteer who is being considered for leveling up within the volunteer program.
• Collaborate with the adoption team to categorize and list adoptable dogs by behavioral level (e.g., starter dog, intermediate dog) to support safe and successful matches.
• Maintain a collection of behavior resources that can be provided to staff, fosters, volunteers, and adopters (e.g. handouts, training recommendations).
• Other duties as assigned.

• Associates degree or equivalent from an accredited college or technical school…