Animal Transporter Driver - On Call/Part

Gallup, New Mexico / Hourly / Part time

Location: Gallup, New Mexico/ Fort Defiance area

Hiring Range: This position's hiring range is anticipated to be $22 per hour to $25 per hour, depending on experience.

This is an on-call, part-time position.

Manager Interviews will begin the week of March 3 (recruiter phone screens will occur prior to a manager interview).

Position Summary: The Sanctuary Outreach Animal Transporter is responsible for getting animals to and from various locations, this includes the Navajo Nation animal control facilities, foster homes, and receiving rescue organizations off the reservation. The animal transporter is responsible for safely transporting animals to where they need to be, ensuring comfort along the way. The work performed in this position is significant and critical to the success of achieving our lifesaving goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in a transport program to increase lifesaving opportunities. This includes but is not limited to pulling dogs and cats from animal control facilities, transporting animals to and from vet appointments, communicating with receiving groups as needed, driving, maintaining vehicle/ equipment, etc.

• For smaller transports, you may have to utilize your personal vehicle or a Best Friends vehicle for larger and longer transports.

• Ensure the safety and comfort of any animal that is being transported, being gentle, patient, calm, understanding that transport can be a stressful situation.

• Coordinate all logistics for transports, including preparation of the vehicles and crates, scheduling pick up and drop off, loading and unloading animals, reviewing and providing documentation and records, sanitizing equipment, communicating any updates with foster homes and receiving organizations, etc.

• Communicate effectively and professionally with colleagues, community members, animal control officers, foster homes, and receiving organizations to ensure information is shared, logistics and timing are agreed upon, processes are understood and updated as needed, and issues are addressed as they arise.

• Administer initial vaccinations, pet medications, basic intake treatments, and keep accurate documentation as needed.

• Clean, maintain, and sanitize vehicles, cages, and any other supplies after each transport.

• Treat people around you with Kindness and Compassion, build trust by demonstrating authenticity and following through on your commitments, prioritize your well-being like you do our mission, and work to build strong relationships with your colleagues by participating in communication loops to share and receive honest feedback. You are responsible and accountable for the culture you add to your team dynamic.

• Maintain a safe workplace, valuing and modeling safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and communicating about unsafe practices and conditions.

Skills and Experience:

• Prior experience with transporting animals for animal welfare organizations is preferred.

• Must have experience with humane handling of dogs and cats. Prior experience working in or actively volunteering in a municipal shelter is preferred.

• Travel to various communities within and outside of the Navajo Nation is expected.

• Knowledge of sanitizing process to prevent the spread of diseases is a plus.

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to act independently and decisively in difficult and changing situations, and to identify and escalate critical issues as necessary.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, the ability to provide clear and accurate updates to team members, and maintain open communication with colleagues and shelters.

• Prior work and/or volunteer experience within the Navajo Nation preferred.

• Ability to communicate effectively in Navajo/Diné a plus.

• Experience and skilled in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with customers, clients, partners, and fellow staff.

• Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; ability to adapt to new situations or processes; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.

• Strong interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations; positive attitude, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organizational skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands; with accurate, appropriate, clear and concise written and verbal communication skills; and strong listening skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, and veterinary software with the ability to learn and use new applications quickly.

Physical Requirements:

• Routinely lift and handle animals of varying sizes and species, and perform strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.

• Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.

• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.

• Effectively perform tasks utilizing personal protective equipment (gloves, gowns, etc.) as needed.

• Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance.

• This position requires reliable transportation. Ability to see clearly, read road signs and safely view changes in terrain.

• Extended length of time spent around dogs, cats, and/or other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.

• Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; including weekends, evenings, holidays and on-call work.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.

Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.

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