Animal Care Specialist

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

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.