Animal Care Specialist

Job Purpose

The purpose of our Animal Care Attendant is responsible for assisting with the overall care of all animals (Cats and Dogs) in ACS’s care. The Animal Care Attendant will be responsible for providing compassionate and attentive care of the animals at all times, maintain a clean, healthy environment for the animals and public, and assist with animal adoptions as needed. The primary focus and expertise will be on providing an exceptional level of care to the animals and customers of ACS while having the ability to learn Animal Sheltering. As part of the Animal Care Attendant team your focus will be the cleanliness of all animal housing areas, introducing potential adopters to the adoptable pets, providing animals with daily enrichment, and educating the public.

As part of the Animal Care Attendant team you will interact with many people on a daily basis. You will interact frequently with the general public, donors, and ACS volunteers. Your communication skills should extend from in-person interactions to electronic mediums, such as e-mails or phone calls. A core value for ACS is to provide a positive experience to those interested in helping animals. We aim to help every animal, and understand that our interactions with the public are the first step towards placing animals in their forever homes. Depending on the needs identified you should be able to multitasks in a quick manner to provide support in the area of animal care, adoptions, and customer service. You will be responsible for the timely communication of any concerns to your manager and coordinator to ensure immediate action is taken to address these concerns.

Duties & Responsibilities

Animal Care Attendants will be responsible for coordinating the daily activities of the Animal Care department including, but not limited to:

• Clean and maintain cat and dog kennel areas as well as any other animal living areas on a daily basis.
• Ensures proper cleanliness of other shelter areas to include but is not limited to, restroom, lobby floors, hallways, isolation area, outside play yards, and outside kennels.
• Feeding, handling, and providing custodial care to animals in the shelter following all ACS protocols and policies.
• Cleans and maintains shelter equipment: i.e. carriers, leashes, brushes, etc.
• Washes food and water bowls and put them away in an orderly fashion.
• Helps as needed with the check-in of new animals and inspection.
• Follows proper safety measures and procedures when using chemicals and cleaning supplies as outlined in shelter policy and procedure and OSHA guidelines
• Helps with washing, drying and folding of laundry.
• Helps maintain a clean and organized workspace.
• Informs Adoptions & Medical Manager or direct supervisor of any concerns of animal’s behavior or medical issues.
• Facilitate all adoption showings and find proper adoptive placement for animals in ACS’s care.
• Provide animals with daily enrichment.
• Be an Animal Care Resource for the public by providing pertinent information regarding animal welfare.
• Communicate effectively with other ACS departments.
• Alert your manager and other appropriate managers regarding any concerns that arise within your department, including animal or customer emergencies/injuries, in a professional and timely manner.
• Stay compliant with ACS’s safety, sanitation, and personnel policies as outlined in our Employee Handbook and departmental protocols.

Qualifications, Applicant must:

Philosophically

• Embrace and foster a positive culture throughout the department.
• Embrace our No-Kill Philosophy

Hard Skills

• Have a minimum of 1 year of experience demonstrating customer service skills.
• Previous animal handling experience preferred.
• Be Fear-Free Certified or the ability to do so.
• Be highly proficient using a computer including experience using Microsoft Office, email, and entering/searching for information in data management software such as Pet Point, Excel, or another equivalent database.
• Be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. without health risk.
• Be able to perform physical activity (bend/stand/lift) for 8-10 hours a day.

Soft Skills/Other

• Be a self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills and initiative.
• Be able to multitask, problem-solve and prioritize appropriately.
• Be an excellent communicator—both written and verbal.
• Be comfortable navigating difficult and stressful situations that may require conflict resolution between employees and/or customers.
• Be able to pivot and react quickly to the unplanned challenges that often occur in our world each day.
• Be flexible to work some nights and weekends.
• Thrive in a fast-paced work environment where you are surrounded by the distractions of animal sounds, smells, and their respective allergens.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 25 – 35 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17