Description

The San Francisco SPCA is a cherished San Francisco institution, known for compassion, excellence and innovation in the fields of animal welfare and veterinary medicine. We are achievers with over 155 years of experience in animal welfare and are seeking an Animal Intake Associate to join our dynamic Source to Home team! 

The Role

The Animal Intake Associate will help facilitate animal intake and assessment. This vital role within our organization is tasked with sensitive animal handling, data collection and analysis, and fostering relationships and collaboration with our rescue partners, volunteers, adopters, and staff. Embracing our open adoptions policy, and providing excellent client service maximizes the lives positively impacted of animals at the SF SPCA and at our Central Valley partner shelters. If you have excellent attention to detail, client service, and superior animal handling capabilities, this could be the job for you.

Program Administration

• Conduct intake assessments on candidate animals per intake protocols and criteria including: Transfer trips to out-of-county shelters, daily animal assessments at San Francisco Animal Care and Control, re-assessment of returned animals, assessment of public animals scheduled through our re-homing program or surrendered to us via our Veterinary Hospital
• Create and maintain accurate records in both shelter and hospital practice management software systems
• Assess animal history forms, conduct re-homing appointments and assessments, and determine if candidates are accepted to our adoption program
• Responsible for expediting all data entry required to enter animals into our adoption program
• Maintain transport vehicles and intake supplies. 
• Develop and evaluate work duties to ensure maximum efficiency
• Work closely with the Shelter Manager, Behavior Manager, and Shelter Medicine Manager to manage daily population to serve our mission and obtain adoption goals
• Perform all duties and others as assigned in a manner which encourages attainment of goals for the Society and its programs

Animal Care

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of our population makeup at all times. Provide updates regarding the intake schedule, and what areas of our animal population are particularly high and need to be addressed with additional marketing, matchmaking, and/or behavior attention
• Facilitate the safe and efficient movement of animals during intake and through their stay here up to adoption or other outcome. This includes housing in appropriate spaces, posting appropriate signage, communicating with the medical and behavior teams, animal care staff and volunteer coordinators
• Work closely and communicate with our behavior and animal care teams to support the behavior needs of in-house animals
• Participate in staff meetings to review goals and procedures, discuss workplace issues, share ideas, and celebrate successes
• Provide information and input regarding outcome decisions for animals that may not be candidates for our adoption program. Communicate updates of at-risk animals and assist our medical staff in euthanasia when needed
• Follow established protocols and procedures when handling animals to control and prevent the spread of disease. Ensure that medical precautions to control and prevent the spread of disease are clearly communicated to appropriate staff and volunteers
• Uphold the standards of care for the animals, including exercise, proper behavior reinforcement, and appropriate socialization activity. Ensure that proper training is provided for the animal care attendants, communicating changes in an animals’ medical or behavior plan
• Participate in facility cleaning as required

People Care

• Provide prompt, courteous, and consistent customer service to our internal and external clients at all times
• Conduct adoption returns and surrenders with sensitivity and empathy, counsel clients with an eye to diversion whenever possible
• Uphold a strong commitment to teamwork, and positive, solution-oriented communication and conduct at all times
• Train, coordinate, and retain volunteers to assist with assessments, administrative duties, etc.
• Assist the Shelter Manager in maintaining successful relationships with transfer partners
• Be familiar with animals available for adoption and to assist the public with appropriate adoption choices in a safe, courteous and responsive manner
• Be available to the adoption front desk and animal behavior teams by phone during assigned shifts
• Assist employees and volunteers in situations that require immediate problem solving
• Facilitate and participate in open, direct communication throughout the Society
• Embrace and promote the Society’s direct communication policy

Our Ideal Candidate: 

• CA Drivers License and insurable driving record
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Compassion for animals, concern for their welfare and a willingness to accommodate animals in the work place
• Compassion for our community and our clients and a willingness to work with their need in the placement of our animals
• Minimum of two years work experience in caring for and handling animals in a effective and humane manner
• Knowledge of contemporary shelter maintenance techniques and accepted sanitary practices. Knowledge of various breeds and their characteristics and familiarity with symptoms of diseases common to dogs and cats

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability and flexibility to work successfully in a fast-paced work environment, embrace and foster change, problem solve, multi-task, and follow directions
• A highly motivated, emotionally mature individual with a professional manner and ability to communicate skillfully and effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and public in a professional and respectful manner at all times. 
• Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of the San Francisco SPCA.
• Excellent organizational skills are essential
• Detail-oriented and able to make decisions regarding the welfare of animals. 
• Computer skills in a Windows environment preferred

Schedule Requirements:

This is a full-time position (40 hours/week), and schedule type consists of five 8-hour shifts.

• Regular schedule will be Sunday – Thursday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
• Initial training schedule will be Tuesday – Saturday,
• Must be available to work weekends, holiday shifts, and overtime as needed

Why the SF SPCA?

• The opportunity to help individuals make a difference in the lives of animals. 
• Join like-minded staff and community committed to enhancing the human-animal bond.
• Be a part of the SF SPCA during a time when we are rolling out initiatives and advocacy work that will leave a lasting impact on animal welfare. 

Included Benefits:

• On-site, free, gated parking with security
• Competitive PTO
• Low-cost medical, vision, and dental insurance plans
• 401K with matching funds
• Generous discounts on veterinary care and supplies
• Bring your dog to work!

The San Francisco SPCA welcomes everyone! We welcome all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, political persuasions, languages, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, socioeconomic statuses, and national origins. Diversity brings innovative ideas, perspectives, and opinions. We consider our differences to be valuable assets that will help us continually strive to be better at what we do and to advance our mission.