Feline Programs Associate

Feline Programs Assistant

Responsible for assisting all Feline Programs: Community Cats (CCP), Neonatal Care (NCP), and Working Cats (WCP). This encompasses performing outreach and fieldwork to sterilize free-roaming cats through Trap Neuter Return (TNR) efforts, returning stray cats brought to the shelter back to their outdoor homes after surgery, providing specialized feeding/care for orphaned neonatal kittens at our on-site Nursery, supporting foster parents/volunteers helping to care for the kittens, and transporting working cats to their adoptive homes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs outreach and fieldwork in the community; including educating the public.
• May complete scheduled trappings for TNR initiatives with other team members/volunteers by setting regular/drop traps and checking them throughout assignments
• Returns stray cats back to their outdoor homes after surgery if labeled for 'CCP' and distributes door hangers/flyers in the area.
• Contributes to the readiness of the kitten nursery for incoming kittens/moms during the Spring and Summer months ("Kitten Season") by bottle feeding, syringe feeding, and/or tube feeding neonatal kittens as indicated and aiding them during food transitioning periods.
• Ensures the maintenance of a temperature-controlled environment, prepares milk replacer and/or other appropriate food for newborn/underweight kittens, and feeds/waters pregnant/nursing mothers based on their individual needs/schedules during Kitten Season.
• Records appropriate feeding data into charts/shelter software, documents developmental progress of kittens, maintains an up-to-date inventory of nursery population, and assures necessary information is displayed prominently on the kennels/board as necessary during Kitten Season.
• Adheres to an agreed schedule in order to ensure round-the-clock care for neonatal kittens and perform trapping assignments, including evening/night shifts, as needed.
• Aids in the training process of department volunteers and works collaboratively with them to ensure they receive the support/resources needed to feel prepared and empowered in their roles.
• Provides support, assistance, and resources to community members caring for or having issues with free-roaming cats, and foster parents of neonatal kittens.
• Preserves a sanitized, organized, and orderly appearance of assigned areas and vehicles at all times while maintaining them well stocked with needed supplies and equipment.
• Sorts, moves, and stocks food, supplies, materials, and donations, as needed.
• Monitors cats throughout shifts and relays any relevant findings to the Veterinary Services team and other departments, as needed, to ensure the humane care and welfare of all cats.
• Transports animals to partner emergency overnight veterinary hospitals due to illness or decline in health when directed and working cats to their adoptive homes when needed.
• Provides guidance and support on the proper care, housing, handling, and enrichment of shelter cats to internal departments, as developed by the management team, when directed.
• Performs administrative/clerical duties in a timely fashion as needed, including but not limited to: completing required documentation; communicating with internal departments/community members in person, by telephone, and through email; etc.
• Interacts with guests as necessary and always presents themselves in a professional manner consistent with the guiding principles and values of The Animal Foundation.
• Builds strong, positive relationships in the community based on trust, respect, and care for both cats and people.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization's service to its guests by offering suggestions and participating as an active member of a work team.
• Provides responsive, meaningful, and compassionate service to all guests
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Equivalent to a High School diploma
• One (1) year of demonstrated guest service experience

License & Certification Requirements:

• The incumbent must hold a valid driver's license for a minimum of three (3) years and maintain an acceptable driving history.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge of:

• Non-profit work, community outreach, grassroots efforts.
• Socio-economic challenges faced by low-income communities.
• Principles and practices of guest service.
• Basic kitten care and its related tools and equipment.
• Basic animal breeds, characteristics, health, nutrition, and humane care.
• Standard administrative office practices and procedures, including record-keeping systems and the operation of office equipment, computers, and associated software.
• Correct understanding, speaking, and writing of business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Skill in:

• Demonstrating concern for the welfare of people and animals, and treating all of them with respect.
• Interpersonal sensitivity and cultural competency/awareness for working with diverse populations while providing non-judgemental and compassionate guest services.
• Communicating with, relating to, and interacting with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person, by email, and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Fostering public relations beneficial to the shelter and its programs.
• Training, educating, and positively engaging others, especially those from diverse backgrounds in the community, in door-to-door canvassing and other assigned activities.
• Dealing tactfully and effectively with team members, volunteers, and the general public, and communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
• Learning to perform trapping, proper care, and transportation of animals.
• Working calmly and efficiently under pressure and without close supervision.
• Learning to work with animals of unknown histories and those who may exhibit medical concerns/under-socialization, as well as fearful tendencies.
• Identification of problems and/or patient conditions (medical and behavioral) that need to be brought to the attention of the proper department.
• Adhering to all established guidelines, protocols, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's).
• Use of business software and associated computer hardware.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, instructions, and other written materials.
• Gathering and compiling information; keeping/preparing accurate records, reports, and summaries.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives, and activities.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

Physical ability and mobility to work in a typical office environment. Strength to lift and/or move materials weighing up to 50 pounds frequently, and 75 pounds occasionally. Vision to read printed materials. Stamina to sit and work with a computer for an extended period of time. Hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone. Accommodation may be made for some of these physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation.

Job incumbent is continuously exposed to animals, animal waste, pet dander, peanut butter, potentially harmful cleaning chemicals, high noise, and potentially hazardous conditions, including the risk of animal bites and occasional work outdoors for extended periods of time while exposed to cold and extremely hot temperatures.

All team members work in a culture of continuous improvement and are expected to support our mission. Team members must be able to clearly articulate our goals, actively participate in outstanding guest service, and accept responsibility for maintaining our culture of philanthropy.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected of this position. This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive listing or description of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of incumbents in the job.