Indy Cares Specialist-ACS

Job Title

The purpose and mission of Animal Care Services is advocating animal welfare, adoption, and rescue. The agency does this by protecting and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of pets and livestock in Marion County. The agency is able to do this by cultivating a productive, collaborative, and compliant work environment in order for our workforce to meet the needs of the constituents of Indianapolis and Marion County. Job Summary This position is responsible for supporting all aspects of the Indy CARES program and fulfilling the program's mission to empower Indianapolis pet owners to responsibly care for their companion animals by connecting individuals with community resources, education, and support. Incumbent in this position will work collaboratively with all areas within ACS as well as community partners to coordinate entry of animals into the shelter and provide pet owners with services needed to prevent animals from entering the shelter unnecessarily. This position will work directly with the public to coordinate intake of animals and/or provide options for shelter diversion. Shift hours are 9:30a-6:00p on either Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday Equal Employment Opportunity The City of Indianapolis Marion County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. We value diversity in perspectives and experiences among colleagues and the residents of this city of whom we serve.

Position Responsibilities

Provide support to the Indy CARES Coordinator in all aspects of the program Coordinate the entry of animals to the ACS shelter through effective and timely communication and effectively identifying cases with which the Indy CARES program can assist. Triage customer needs and approve or deny requests based on available resources. Communicate effectively and empathetically with pet owners and partners to schedule appointments, procedures, and transportation and to provide support for affected owners Assist in the planning and implementation of on- and off-site events including, but not limited to, microchip and vaccine clinics. Network and build relationships within the community to expand the reach of the Indy CARES program Assist Indy CARES Coordinator in identifying areas for improvement and help implement necessary changes Represent ACS to outside agencies and organizations ranging from local veterinary clinics, rescue groups, and animal outreach groups Ensure that the needs of the program are met and requests for assistance are addressed appropriately and in a timely manner Maintain databases utilizing Microsoft Office products and other designated systems This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

Qualifications

High School Diploma or equivalent. Must be compassionate in all areas of the animal welfare. Must have an ability to remain calm and effective during a crisis event in an emotionally charged environment. Must be comfortable being around and interacting with animals of all sizes and breeds. Must have great communications skills both orally and written and be able to adapt to different tones and messaging to meet the needs of different audiences in different settings. Must have excellent people skills and work well as part of a team. Must have the ability to learn multiple computer programs. Preferred Job Requirements and Qualifications Bilingual in Spanish. Ability to identify common animal health conditions, animal behavioral issues, and triage emergencies accordingly.

Working Conditions

Essential functions are regularly performed at a shelter with exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Physical Conditions Sitting at a desk as well as standing and walking for long periods of time Some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials 50 pounds Tasks may involve extended periods of time at keyboard or workstation Tasks require the ability to perceive and hear sounds and see visual cues or signals Tasks require the ability to communicate orally