Animal Care Supervisor

Animal Care Supervisor

LifeLine Animal Project is committed to the care and welfare of pets and the people who love them. The values we exhibit as an organization show the strength of our staff, our leadership and our community. We expect all employees to exhibit LifeLine's core values as we complete daily tasks, provide services to clients and care for our animals.

The Animal Care Supervisor is responsible for supervising the kennel, training animal care personnel, and ensuring the humane care of all animals impounded at the shelter and other tasks as assigned. This position requires supervising the animal care staff, including the evaluation, growth and development of those being supervised.

Essential Job Functions:

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

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Instruct Animal Care personnel in proper and humane handling techniques of animals.
• Ensure adequate coverage for proper animal care and report issues to management.
• Review timesheets and attendance regularly and advise Animal Care Manager of attendance policy violations.
• Take responsibility to ensure shelter intake policy is adhered to and assist, as needed.
• Conduct regular one-on-one meetings with team members to provide feedback and support professional development.
• Make recommendations of disciplinary actions to address employee performance and/or behaviors to the Animal Care Manager.
• Work closely with the Animal Care Manager to communicate staff needs, operational challenges, and animal welfare updates.
• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the animal care teams, ensuring that tasks such as feeding, cleaning, and animal health checks are completed efficiently and thoroughly.
• Ensure accuracy of animal inventory, signage, and animal behavior levels during work shifts.
• Assist in troubleshooting and resolving any issues related to animal care, staff assignments, or shelter operations.
• Support team with animal placement while exhibiting respect, and celebrating the diversity of those who are interested in adopting an animal.
• Collaborate with the Animal Care Manager to identify training needs and opportunities for skill development among staff.
• Provide training to new and existing animal care staff to ensure they are well-equipped to care for shelter animals and ensure training hours are recorded within the appropriate database.
• Ensure all staff are knowledgeable about animal behavior, enrichment, and medical care.
• Oversee a daily kennel inventory and assist with the daily care of all shelter animals.
• Ensure staff are administering medications or treatments to animals in assigned kennel section(s) daily as prescribed by Veterinarian.
• Enforce and maintain disease control, animal health and sanitation protocols to further LifeLine's mission to save lives.
• Ensure all animal care activities comply with shelter policies and relevant regulations, including those related to health, safety, and animal welfare.

General Animal Care Responsibilities:

• Euthanize or assist with animal euthanasia, vaccinate animals, deworm animals, scan animals for chips, and look for ID tags.
• Safely and properly handle all animals including bite quarantine animals, vicious animals and feral cats.
• Recognize signs of animal stress, illness, or behavioral concerns and report them for further assessment or intervention.
• Ensure animals are receiving appropriate care, including feeding, exercise, and medical needs, as directed by shelter veterinarians or behaviorists.
• Notify kennel management or veterinary personnel of animals in distress.
• Assist in the safe handling and movement of animals during intake, transport, and placement within/throughout/outside of the shelter.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records of animal care tasks, change in animal status or location, animal behavioral or medical incidents, health records, intake data, and any incidents or concerns; using the shelter's animal management software.
• Assist in behavioral training or intervention programs as directed by supervising staff or behavior team.
• Observe and evaluate the behavior of animals during daily care routines, noting any significant changes or potential concerns.
• 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.
• Courageously lead by example, modeling proper animal handling techniques, safety protocols, and compassionate care.
• Review and report general facility maintenance.
• Oversee inventory and maintenance of supplies and materials needed within the department.
• Work with staff to identify any concerns regarding animal health or behavior, ensuring prompt action is taken when necessary.
• Participate in cross-departmental meetings and initiatives to ensure smooth coordination across the shelter.
• Help strengthen a community of animal welfare advocates by supporting and engaging the volunteers who aid the animal care teams.
• Continue education by participating in LifeLine's 40-hour annual training requirement.
• Willingness to participate in cross training with other departments.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

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 12 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.
• Basic animal medical and behavior knowledge (preferred)
• 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 have a means of travel that ensures prompt arrival for work shifts.
• Must be able to pass a background check.

Education and/or Experience:

Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent.

At least one year of leadership experience.

Two or more years' experience in animal related field, animal sheltering, or animal care preferred.

Fear Free Sheltering preferred.

Work Environment:

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.