Animal Care Associate

• Location 5345 Highway 12 West,Santa Rosa, CA, 95407,United States
• Base Pay $19.00 - $22.00 / Hour
• Employee Type Non-Exempt
• Manage Others No

SUMMARY

Animal services staff are charged with the care of animals in HSSC's shelters including cleanliness, kindness and compassion for homeless animals. This is a diverse position encompassing all aspects of animal care, adoptions and customer services. This is an entry level position that can lead to career growth in the areas of customer services, veterinary care and vaccinations, and supporting animal behavior. This position is the foundational building block for individuals motivated to learn animal welfare from the ground up and improve the lives of animals while serving our community.

Key Responsibilities

Animal Care

• Clean and disinfect all shelter animal housing areas, cages, and runs as necessary to maintain a safe and sanitary environment.
• Feed and provide fresh drinking water to all shelter animals.
• Mop floors; perform laundry, dishwashing, light maintenance, and other janitorial duties as assigned.
• Unload, store and restock equipment, supplies and feed in a proper manner.
• Monitor the daily health, safety, behavior and appearance of all shelter animals reporting anything that requires training and medical services.
• Give medication and supplements as prescribed by the Shelter Veterinarian.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records as required.
• Provide special care as needed or directed including walking dogs and moving animals throughout the shelter.
• Assist with holding animals during medical procedures as needed.
• Maintain a pleasant, professional, courteous and tactful position with co-workers and the public at all times.
• Assist the general public as requested, responding to inquiries of a general nature by telephone and in person.
• Complete classes scheduled by the Behavior & Training Department and Shelter Medicine.
• Actively support and promote the mission and goals of the Humane Society of Sonoma County ensuring a positive image, enhancing the operation of the organization, and improving the quality of life for animals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Assist the general public in the admittance of their pet or stray animals through proper interviewing techniques and completion of all necessary paperwork.
• Perform minor medical tasks such as gross physical examination, sub-Q vaccinations, microchip implantation, oral general de-wormer and blood draw at time of admittance, if needed.
• Accurately and completely enter admission and any animal information utilizing the Shelter Buddy software.
• May be required to work at the Healdsburg or Petaluma Campuses as needed

Adoptions

• Ensure a culture of high-quality customer service for both internal and external customers.
• Participate in animal surrender and adoption process, as well as stray intake from the public.
• Partner with and supervise volunteers assisting in the department.
• Provide information to the public on all services and programs of the Humane Society, articulating the organization's policies and philosophies in a positive manner.
• Remain educated and up to date on the animals available for adoption.
• Problem-solve and think creatively to provide a positive outcome for clients and the animals in our care. Diffuse conflict when necessary.
• Understand animal behavior and common issues in order to make good adoption matches.
• Monitor the health of adoptable animals reporting any medical or behavioral problems to the Adoptions Manager or Medical team.
• Treat all animals humanely at all times, display kindness, compassion and empathy for both people and animals.
• Embrace a culture of teamwork and cooperation.
• Photograph adoptions keeping record of positive adoption stories.
• Interview applicants, review adoption applications, and make decision to finalize or deny adoption. Communicate courteously when denying a request.
• Maintain efficient interdepartmental procedures and processes.
• Support outreach and offsite adoption events.
• Follow up on adoptions via phone after animal has been placed in a new home.
• Complete opening and closing procedures including running reports and balancing cash drawer.
• Provide advice to clients having problems with their pet with the goal of keeping the animal in the home.
• Assist individuals with lost and found pets, creating and checking reports frequently.
• Process animal cremation requests (may require handling of deceased animals).
• Occasional intake of wildlife. Communicates and partners with other community agencies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Six (6) months related animal care experience preferred.
• Experience in humane animal handling, restraint and confinement.
• Willingness to work flexible days and hours, including evening shifts, weekends and/or holidays.
• May be required to work at the Healdsburg or Petaluma Campuses, as needed
• Ability to fulfill year-long commitment as Animal Care Technician

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Must demonstrate self-motivation, responsibility, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast paced environment.
• Knowledge of domestic animal breeds, diseases, health care and basic animal behavior.
• Ability to properly lift animals, food, and supplies up to 50 pounds.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Customer service principles which establish a positive customer experience.
• Animal behavior and common medical conditions.
• Shelter management system (Shelter Buddy) or other data management system experience.
• MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• Basic photography using a smart phone or point and shoot camera.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to be personable, outgoing, patient, professional and compassionate under pressure.
• Ability to participate and collaborate in a team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Accurate typing, data entry and computer skills.
• Logic and reasoning to evaluate alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Math acumen and an ability to balance daily income and expense data.
• A love of both animals and people and willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.
• Remain pleasant and calm under stressful situations.
• To gather information, ask appropriate questions along with the ability to feel and show empathy for others.
• Manage multiple tasks, people and situations simultaneously.
• Work with animals of unknown disposition and those who may exhibit medical or other problems, as well as aggressive behavior.
• Resolve conflicts and work with minimal supervision.
• Work in a fast paced and changing environment.
• Transport animals as needed.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to interact with and handle animals.
• Ability to walk and/or stand throughout a normal workday.
• Must be able to communicate effectively (speak and listen).
• Must be able to lift, move, and carry objects and animals up to 50 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand, walk, use hands to handle objects/operate keyboards and telephones; reach with hands andarms; talk and hear; bend, reach, stoop, kneel, squat, and crawl; climb or balance. Use of arms above the shoulder is sometimes required.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Allergic conditions, which would be aggravated when handling or working with animals may result is disqualification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee is generally working in a shelter environment and will be exposed to moderately loud noise levels (such as barking dogs, ringing phones), cleaning agents, bites, scratches, and animal waste. There is possible exposure to zoonotic diseases.

EEO STATEMENT

HSSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable team. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities, especially those historically underrepresented in animal welfare and veterinary medicine.