Animal Care Provider

Description

JOB SUMMARY

An Animal Care Specialist is an integral part of our shelter operations. This position provides comprehensive care and support for all shelter animals and ensures their well-being. It also entails maintaining a clean and sanitary shelter environment, coordinating the intake and processing of incoming animals and the adoption process. Exceptional customer service is essential in assisting both internal and external customers with inquiries and guidance on pet care.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities listed are not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks, and duties that are required of the position. Responsibilities, tasks, duties, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Provide general care and maintenance of shelter animals including feeding, watering, medicating, bathing and grooming, providing enrichment and exercise opportunities, and monitoring for behavior or medical needs on a regular basis

Clean and disinfect all shelter areas and animal equipment including but not limited to kennels and cages, dishes, linens, and litter

Coordinate adoption process and paperwork by counseling potential adopters on their selection of pets, animal care, and responsibilities

Examine, evaluate and make a determination for adoptability of all incoming animals in the receiving process based on medical and behavioral history by interviewing and counseling individuals releasing their animal

Process incoming animals by collecting animal’s vital signs, administering vaccines and medications, running basic blood testing, microchipping, inputting records, and preparing animal quarters

Deliver excellent customer service with internal and external customers through in-person and phone interactions answering questions and giving recommendations of care

Handle financial transactions of donations and purchases of merchandise or services and reconcile receipts

Use proper animal restraint techniques for the safety and well-being of the animal and the team

Complete all necessary paperwork and data entry, maintaining accurate animal records

Collect, organize, and deliver donations and restock merchandise inventory, as needed

Assist in volunteer training and with other shelter areas, as needed

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma or equivalent preferred

At least 6 months of professional animal handling experience preferred

At least 6 months of work experience in a team environment preferred

At least 6 months of customer service experience preferred

Basic knowledge of animal handling, general pet care principles, and breed identification highly preferred

Previous cash handling experience preferred

Fear Free certification preferred

Euthanasia certification preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of and ability to perform tasks on a computer using different software programs

Ability to work with animals safely and humanely and to remain calm in stressful situations

Effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Ability to quickly adapt to customer, animal, and business needs

Ability to collaborate with others and work effectively in a team environment

Strong attention to detail and ability to focus with distractions

Ability to assess animal behaviors and cues

Excellent ability to use good judgement in problem solving and decision making

Ability to take initiative and to work with minimal supervision and direction

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

Physical demands include extended periods of standing, walking, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, handling, grasping, and coordination with constant lifting and carrying requirements of up to 50 lbs.

Visual acuity and depth perception is required for safe handling of animals

Work is frequently performed in the small, enclosed spaces such as animal cages

Work includes providing compassionate and dedicated care to others

Work requires the ability to maintain focus and composure while working under pressure, manage stress during difficult situations, and adapt quickly to resolve issues or conflicts

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Most work is performed in the shelter and adoption/receiving areas of Pet Alliance which is open and well lit, adequately ventilated, noisy and distracting environment. In addition, the kennels are subject to extremely warm temperatures during the summer months.

The job requires moving between rooms and buildings, which may result in increased exposure to extremes in temperature and atmospheric conditions.

Work environment involves exposure to potential hazards such as chemicals and sharps.

The job requires frequent and routinely intense public contact as well as the ability to multi-task under conditions that can be described as extremely fast-paced/high volume and are potentially stressful on a routine basis.

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