Animal Caretaker/Adoption Specialist - On Call

Humane Society of Truckee Tahoe (HSTT)

Founded in 1994, HSTT has grown from a small, grassroots non-profit organization to the leading animal welfare organization in the Lake Tahoe region. Our mission is to save and improve the lives of pets through adoptions, community spay/neuter services, and humane education programs. For more information, please visit www.hstt.org

Summary of Caretaker Position

Under the direct supervision of the Animal Care Team Manager, assists in the operation and maintenance of the Truckee Animal Shelter, including the care and socialization of housed animals, maintaining the facility in a clean, safe, and orderly manner, assisting the public, and performing related duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Receives animals to the shelter; performs preliminary examination, including weighing, vaccinating, and microchip scanning; conducts an initial assessment of behavior and health; and enters information into the database. 


2. Provides care to impounded animals by providing food, water, baths, and comfort; observes and records animal behavior, physical appearance, and health; exercises animals; isolates sick, quarantined, or injured animals; notifies supervisor or other staff members if an animal needs immediate veterinary care. 


3. Administers medication as directed; assists veterinarians in the examination and treatment of animals. 


4. Maintains animal shelter, including cleaning and disinfecting kennels, cages, dog runs, and equipment; replaces bedding, toys, and litter pans; maintains a clean and safe environment at all times; monitors kennel security; recommends and implements maintenance and security improvements as approved. 


5. Assists other staff members in collaboratively analyzing and temperament testing animal behavior prior to determining adoptability; assists in the socialization of animals. 


6. Provides support to the administrative assistant by collecting fees and issuing receipts for the sale of dog licenses and spay/neutering certificates; may issue dog licenses. 


7. Participates in providing medical care, including euthanasia, and handling of animal remains. 


8. Provides effective customer service; responds to complaints and requests for information; assists in interpreting and applying regulations, policies, and procedures in response to inquiries and complaints from the public. 


9. Monitors inventory of supplies; stocks animal food and shelter supplies; maintains inventory records. 


10. Directs and assists community service workers and volunteers in the handling of animals and the performance of animal shelter work. 


11. Greet and assist all customers entering the animal services lobby when needed. 


12. Listen to customers and provide effective responses and remedies to their questions and needs.


13. Commits to a high standard of safety and is willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all of HSTT's safety policies and rules. Safety violations and potential safety violations must be reported to the appropriate supervisory or management personnel.


14. Assist as needed with community members in the Adoption lobby.


15. Assist with various additional duties when requested by management. 

Summary of Adoption & Customer Service Position

Essential duties and primary job purpose include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

It will be the responsibility of the Adoption & Customer Service Specialist, under the direct supervision of the Animal Care Team Manager, to assist the public with specific adoption service needs, answer questions and address concerns, and provide necessary information when requested. Individuals in this classification represent The Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe's policies and procedures to the public and are expected to maintain a positive and receptive environment for those individuals visiting or calling the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. 

Representative Tasks and Major Responsibilities:

1. Greet and assist all customers entering the Humane Society Lobby. 


2. Answer all phone calls, unless you are busy assisting other customers. Check voicemail multiple times daily and deliver messages to appropriate personnel or return calls as needed. 


3. Listen to customers and provide effective, compassionate responses and remedies to their questions and concerns.


4. Counsel potential adopters on selecting a pet that fits their lifestyle, discuss the responsibilities of pet ownership, and show animals to prospective adopters during shelter open hours. Provide information about specific animals and explain the adoption process to shelter visitors.


5. Approve or decline adoptions and process them accordingly. 


6. Know the temperaments and personalities of the pets available for adoption to the best of your ability. 


7. Communicate principles that convey and impart an understanding of the policies and procedures of the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe to the public.


8. Be committed to a high standard of safety and be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all of the employer’s safety policies and rules. Employees must report safety violations and potential safety violations to the appropriate supervisory or management personnel.


9. Assist on an as-needed basis with the Animal Services front desk, which may include licensing pets and receiving animal relinquishments. 


10. Monitor the general health of adoptable pets and notify the necessary personnel in cases concerning declining health. 


11. Keep adoption rooms tidy and clean on an as-needed basis, adhering to the policies and procedures established by HSTT and the Town of Truckee. 


12. Socialize cats and dogs when time allows. 


13. Provide guidance to volunteers, especially during hours when the Volunteer Program Coordinator isn’t available on-site. 


14. Prepare animals to be available for adoption, including writing bios, performing behavior assessments, creating website listings, etc…


15. Assist with various additional duties when requested by management. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

1. Treat all animals humanely, with compassion and concern, both on and off the job, and transmit these values to others.


2. Assist with tours, lectures, public education programs, fundraising activities, and special events as needed.


3. Update animal-related collateral as needed. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Required: Basic animal care knowledge. Preferred: Knowledge of domestic animals, including behavior, appropriate care and housing, common health problems, disease symptoms, and handling techniques.


2. Bilingual Spanish/English is highly desired. 


3. Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos.


4. Demonstrate personal communication knowledge, which includes effective phone skills, public speaking, and the ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.


5. Ability to write reports and correspondence.


6. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.


7. Have a valid California driver’s license with a clear driving record for at least one year prior to application.


8. Basic computer skills using standard office programs such as Word or similar systems. 


9. Must be an energetic, friendly, creative team player with a passion for saving animals and working with people.


10. Must be able to spend a great deal of time working with and handling both dogs and cats.


11. Knowledge of decision-making techniques and skill in mediating disputes, conflicts and grievances.


12. Interest and ability to remain abreast of trends and best practices in the humane movement


13. Must be able to accommodate a set work schedule, which will include weekends and some holidays. 


14. Must be able to participate in events including nights, weekends and assist in the set-up and breakdown of events when needed. 

Qualifications

1. Required: Basic animal care and behavior knowledge. Preferred: Knowledge of domestic animals including appropriate care and housing, common health problems, disease symptoms and handling techniques.


2. Understand basic health and safety issues related to handling and caring for animals. 


3. Knowledge of basic species, breed identification, behaviors, and disposition of dogs, cats, and other animals. 


4. Ability to identify symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common diseases of animals. 


5. Learn, interpret, and apply federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances pertaining to the care, handling, treatment, and impounding of animals. 


6. Ability to create, read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, reports and memos.


7. Demonstrate effective phone, written and oral communication skills.


8. Display the ability to prioritize competing tasks and showcase reasonable decision making.


9. Ability to effectively present information in one on one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. 


10. Basic computer skills using standard office programs such as Microsoft Office, Google Suite and/or similar systems. 


11. Must be an energetic, friendly, creative team player with a passion for saving animals and working with people.


12. Must be able to spend a great deal of time working with and handling both dogs and cats.


13. Knowledge of decision-making techniques and skill in mediating disputes, conflicts and grievances.


14. Interest and ability to remain abreast of trends and best practices in the humane movement


15. Must be able to accommodate a set work schedule, which will include weekends and some holidays. 


16. Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, diverse abilities, gender, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation of coworkers and the community served.

Education and Experience

• High School graduate or GED equivalent required. 


• At least six months of related animal care experience and/or training preferred. 

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds routinely.


• Must be able to perform strenuous manual labor and move quickly in an agile manner when dealing with animals and in cases of emergency.


• Must be able to work with physically strong dogs.


• Must be able to handle cats and other small animals.


• Must be able to bend, stoop, hike, walk, kneel, and lift comfortably.


• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. 


• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. 


• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard,