View Position Qualification

1-509-1331

Name

Animal Behavior Specialist

Status

Published

Version

1.6

Updated

11/14/2019 9:40:45 AM

Original Release

06/18/2018

Last Major Release

11/14/2019

Resource Category

Animal Emergency Response

Primary Core Capability

Public Health, Healthcare, and Emergency Medical Services

Secondary Core Capability

Resource Kind

Personnel

Overall Function

The Animal Behavior Specialist assesses behavioral status, identifies potentially dangerous behaviors, and makes behavioral recommendations for animals in one or more of the following competency areas during and after disasters: 1. Companion animals, including pets, service animals, and assistance animals 2. Livestock, including food or fiber animals and domesticated equine species 3. Wildlife animals, captive wildlife, and zoo animals 4. Laboratory animals

Single resource

In conjunction with a NIMS typed team

NIMS Typed Team

In conjunction with a NIMS typed unit

NIMS Typed Unit

Description Notes

Not Specified

Supporting Core Capabilities
None

Types
Type 1	The Animal Behavior Specialist: 1. Triages animals to determine behavioral status 2. Classifies animals by behavioral status to determine the appropriate type of Animal Care and Handling Specialist or other staff to assign to handle them 3. Identifies potentially dangerous behaviors that could put the animal, the handler, or other people or animals at risk 4. Designs and coordinates animal enrichment and socialization programs 5. Develops and implements treatment plans to address animal behavioral issues for stray, abandoned, unattended, or relinquished animals 6. Consults on appropriate post-disaster animal disposition

Type 1

The Animal Behavior Specialist: 1. Triages animals to determine behavioral status 2. Classifies animals by behavioral status to determine the appropriate type of Animal Care and Handling Specialist or other staff to assign to handle them 3. Identifies potentially dangerous behaviors that could put the animal, the handler, or other people or animals at risk 4. Designs and coordinates animal enrichment and socialization programs 5. Develops and implements treatment plans to address animal behavioral issues for stray, abandoned, unattended, or relinquished animals 6. Consults on appropriate post-disaster animal disposition

Education

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Not Specified

Training

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Completion of the following: 1. IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100 2. IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200 3. IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction 4. IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction 5. Animal training, animal behavior training, or equivalent training

Experience

Not Specified

Type 1

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Extensive knowledge of species-typical and captive behavior of the animal populations represented 2. General understanding of animal welfare principles and processes 3. Extensive knowledge of animal training, motivation, and behavior modification principles 4. Practical experience working with the animal populations represented Experience: Three years of experience in applied animal behavior or animal training

Physical/Medical Fitness

1. PPE is mission specific and may vary by work environment; it includes protective footwear, protective clothing for skin exposure, eye and ear protection, respirators, gloves, and masks. 2. NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System (NQS) defines Physical/Medical Fitness levels for NIMS positions.

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	1. Moderate 2. Is able to work while wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 3. Keeps immunizations up to date and commensurate with mission

Currency

Not Specified

Component Types
Type	Criteria
Type 1	Routinely practices in a facility or field setting commensurate with the mission

Professional and Technical Licenses and Certifications

Not Specified

Type 1

Possesses one of the following certifications, or an equivalent: 1. Academy of Veterinary Behavior Technicians (AVBT) certification 2. American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB)-recognized certification 3. Animal Behavior Society: Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (ACAAB) 4. Animal Behavior Society: Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) 5. Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) certification 6. International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) certification

Composition and Ordering Specifications
Specification
Discuss logistics for deploying this position, such as working conditions, length of deployment, security, lodging, transportation, and meals, prior to deployment
Requestor specifies competency areas necessary based on the animal population the position will serve

1027

Notes

References
Reference
FEMA, National Incident Management System (NIMS), October 2017
FEMA, NIMS Guideline for the National Qualification System, November 2017
FEMA, National Response Framework, June 2016
American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB), Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist
Animal Behavior Society, Certification Requirements and Application
Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), Dog Trainer Certification
CCPDT, Behavior Consultant Certification
International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)