Intake Specialist

Intake Specialist

The Intake Specialist is responsible for caring for and completing all intake procedures for incoming animals in a timely manner. This position coordinates movement of animals from Intake into the Kennel or Clinic as needed, and verifies database information is accurate. The Intake Specialist ensures daily cleaning of cages and kennels, feeding of animals, and processing animals during intake. Other duties may include medicating animals, assisting owners who are surrendering pets, contacting owners of tagged pets, and assisting in rehabilitation of and transporting animals. This position participates in cross training to provide back up to the Intake Coordinator role which involves collecting records of animals, their situations and offering people other support services in a non-judgmental fashion.

This represents a list of essential job duties. Other duties or special projects may be assigned as needed.

• Uphold the standards and values of LifeLine Animal Project:
• Save Lives -- Build Community -- Be Exceptional Stewards -- Be Courageous
• Be Compassionate -- Take Responsibility -- Respect, Embrace and Celebrate Diversity
• Provide humane care for animals that enter the facility. (Intake, food, water, clean, safe housing).
• Humanely complete intake of all animals that enter the shelter immediately upon arrival, including entering data correctly in animal management software:
• Assess basic animal information: weight, age, gender
• Vaccinating animals
• Deworming animals
• Taking pictures, scanning animals for chips and looking for ID tags
• Drawing blood and performing heartworm and combo tests
• Inserting microchips as needed
• Reading case notes to properly classify animals
• Maintain an understanding of current County ordinances and accurately record case information in shelter software.
• Perform consistent physical and behavioral examinations of the animals. Assign behavioral levels to new intakes.
• Take responsibility in notifying kennel management or veterinary personnel of animal injury, illness, or animals in distress.
• Coordinate shelter moves with the Intake Supervisor and animal care leadership team.
• Move animals out of intake holding ASAP.
• Courageously lead by example, modeling proper animal handling techniques, safety protocols, and compassionate care.
• Safely and properly handle all animals including bite quarantine animals, vicious animals, and feral cats.
• Report found chips or other forms of identification to the client care team.
• Each evening, ensure adequate intake space is available for overnight drop offs.
• Properly clean and disinfect dog and cat cages; Maintain disease control, animal health and sanitation protocols to further LifeLine's mission to save lives.
• Complete Friendly Finder intakes ASAP.
• Euthanize or assist with animal euthanasia, vaccinate animals, deworm animals, scan animals for chips, and look for ID tags.
• Exhibit exceptional stewardship by supporting the cleanliness and organization of the shelter's walkways, animal areas, and work areas and ensure equipment is properly maintained and operational.
• Provide excellent assistance to customers by exhibiting respect, and celebrating the diversity of those who are interested in adopting an animal or looking for their lost pet.
• Communicate regularly with other staff to ensure intake operations run smoothly and challenges are promptly addressed.
• Help strengthen a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid the intake teams.
• Continue education by participating in LifeLine's 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Complete a euthanasia certification course.
• Participate in cross training to learn the full range of intake duties, including the customer service and administrative aspects of the department's responsibilities.
• Other tasks as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Compassion for animals and the people who love and care for them.
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to stand for extended periods (up to 10 hours a day) and to bend and reach to perform assigned work activities.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. without assistance.
• Ability to communicate, understand and follow a variety of oral and written instructions/procedures.
• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Comfortable working with dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
• Knowledge of general animal care principles and practices.
• Basic animal medical and behavior knowledge.
• Ability to follow safety protocols and handle challenging situations with calmness and professionalism.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments to ensure efficient shelter operations.
• Ability to interact with impounded dogs, cats and other animals including vicious, stray, sick or injured animals.
• Ability to handle seeing and dealing with animals that have been abused, neglected or treated cruelly.
• Ability to cope with the emotional impact of possible euthanasia cases.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and varying shifts based on shelter needs.
• Must pass a background check.
• Must have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.

Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent knowledge and experience. Must be 18 years of age or older. One or more years' experience in animal related field or animal sheltering preferred. Fear Free Sheltering preferred.

While performing the duties of this job, employee may be exposed to unpleasant kennel smells. May have to handle dogs and cats that are stray, injured, diseased or vicious.