Animal and Client Care Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

As an Animal & Client Care Specialist at Santa Barbara Humane's Santa Maria Campus you'll provide compassionate care for animals, bring and keep families together, and perform purpose-driven work in a fun, team environment. You'll enjoy three-day weekends every week and and this may be the most fulfilling job you've ever had!We hope your resume will show volunteer or paid experience at a veterinary hospital or animal shelter, top-notch communication and client service skills, and a sincere interest in the mission of SB Humane, a Socially Conscious Shelter.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide all aspects of daily shelter animal care, enrichment, exercise, and socialization; perform daily shelter sanitation and disease control duties. 

• Demonstrate welcoming, solution-based client service and accurately process customer transactions; display initiative and problem-solving skills to resolve customer requests or concerns; remain calm in difficult or emotional situations; represent the Santa Barbara Humane in a professional manner.

• Follow workplace safety protocols, working in a safe manner at all times and proactively ensure the safety of co-workers, clients, and volunteers. Take immediate action to prevent or address safety concerns.

• Proactively promote SB Humane programs and services and encourage charitable support for the organization.

• Actively integrate volunteers by providing a welcoming work environment; practicing mentorship, training, and advancement opportunities; and offering feedback on volunteer performance.

• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Working Environment: Work is conducted within an animal shelter environment. This may involve exposure to environmental factors, including temperature fluctuations, elevated noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal waste, potentially hazardous chemicals or materials requiring OSHA Safety Data Sheets, anesthetics, sharp objects, as well as the possibility of interacting with hostile individuals and handling dangerous or aggressive animals.

Physical Requirements: 

• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, talk, hear and see, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift; push, lift or pull 50 pounds for situations of restraining or moving animals and lifting supplies, materials and equipment; 

• Repetitively use hands to move animals around and operate computers; 

• Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist; 

• Specific vision abilities required are close and mid-range vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to focus; 

• Appropriately and humanely restrain cats and dogs; control dogs on a leash; work with a variety of animals in multiple settings both in and out of the clinic/shelter; 

• Be able to tolerate extended work periods of ten (10)  hours of performing moderately strenuous activities, standing, lifting, stretching and bending; 

• Work in an environment with daily changes in indoor and outdoor climates; 

• May require long hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to ensure the shelter’s operation and address emergencies or issues outside of regular working hours. 

Please note: Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mental and Emotional Resilience: This position involves direct exposure to animals in various conditions, including those who may be injured, sick, neglected, or in distress, etc.. Employees may also be required to interact with members of the public during emotionally charged or sensitive situations. As a result, the role necessitates a high level of mental and emotional resilience to effectively perform duties, maintain professional judgment, and provide compassionate care.