Animal Care Specialist

The main responsibilities of the Animal Care Specialist are to assess the well-being of and provide daily care for all animals housed within the shelter. These duties include, but are not limited to, enrichment, cleaning, sanitizing, feeding, changing bedding and litter, and assisting the Animal Care Coordinators and Animal Care Manager as needed. The Animal Care Specialist will work as part of a team of staff and volunteers. Schedule from 8am-12pm

This position is supervised by: Animal Care Specialist Supervisor

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB INCLUDE:

• Treat all animals both on and off the job humanely. You are a representative of the BMHS even when you are not at work.
• Make daily inspection of shelter to ensure work is accomplished, animal needs are met and facility is sanitary.
• Assist with training and onboarding new Animal Care team members and Animal Care volunteers by monitoring safety, policy and procedure compliance.
• Maintain appearance and demeanor consistent with the image of BMHS by adhering to the dress code detailed in the Employee Handbook.
• Responsible for providing food, water, bedding, toys and a clean kennel for each animal.
• Responsible for providing daily exercise and enrichment to animals by assisting playgroups and providing support for playgroup volunteers.
• Responsible for ensuring all animals are ready for the public.
• Responsible for cleaning and sterilizing indoor and outdoor kennels as assigned including, but not limited to, removal of waste, emptying poop buckets and retrieving toys.
• Responsible for sweeping and cleaning floors in all animal care areas on a daily basis as needed.
• Responsible for re-stocking supplies in animal care areas as needed.
• Responsible for cleaning and storing pet carriers and pet dishes appropriately.
• Maintain a clean and well-stocked grooming room.
• Observe and monitor the health of animals by recording and reporting any concerns in the database and alert the Animal Care Specialists Supervisor.
• Empty garbage and recycling into appropriate containers as needed.
• Assist with laundry in a timely fashion.
• Assist in collecting, processing, and putting away donated items to their appropriate locations.
• Other Duties as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES / FUNCTIONS:

• Serve as a role model and leader for volunteers at BMHS.
• Participate in meetings with Animal Care staff to review procedures, discuss workplace issues, and share ideas to improve animal health and wellbeing.
• Actively seek to further animal health knowledge.
• Work collaboratively with co-workers to achieve shelter goals, and to develop long-range programs and review policies and procedures.
• Responsible for the timely migration of animals from impound to adopt.
• Ensure the accuracy and timely removal as needed of signs placed on an animal’s kennel.
• Available to monitor animals during recovery from surgery.
• Assist with bathing, brushing, and keeping animals clean, attractive and comfortable.
• Available to assist potential adopters with animal related questions.
• Responsible for monitoring dogs on the adopt floor and insuring all adoptable dogs are wearing collars or harnesses.
• Assist with the transportation of shelter animals to/from veterinary clinics as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

Required

• Must be detailed oriented, accurate and dependable.
• Able to juggle demands, prioritize thoughtfully, and follow tasks through to timely completion.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), good computer skills to include word processing, 10 key calculator, data programs, and the ability to use a digital camera.
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality and have tactful, mature, and sincere attitude.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Desired

• Desire for learning and mastery regarding presently required job skills as well as to enlarge the scope and professionalism of this position.
• Active listening and crisis intervention experience is a plus.

Education / Training

• Must be a High School graduate or G.E.D. and be able to read, write and speak clearly in English so that written and verbal instructions can be followed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Indoors in air conditioned/heated office, outdoors at shelter or on-location for various activities.
• Includes the use of PC, various printers, copy machine, fax machine, multiple line telephone, digital camera, and credit card machine
• Mostly week- day hours with some weekend hours pending training schedule, and outside shelter events.
• Regular exposure to a variety of companion animals, pocket pets, and some exotic animals.

MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND COMMUNICATION DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge in animal health and well-being to include nutrition needs, resources for information, knowledge of common animal diseases, skilled in animal first aid and CPR, experience administering vaccinations and medications.
• Experience in or willingness to learn and participate in humane euthanasia of animals as required.
• Requires the ability to perform clerical tasks to input animal information accurately.
• Requires patience and tact when working with challenging, emotional or angry people.
• Requires speaking and writing effectively and clearly in a professional manner.
• Requires clear verbal communication over the telephone and intercom to internal individuals.
• Requires treating people and animals in a pleasant, courteous, and professional manner.
• Requires ability to work in a team environment and to provide team leadership.
• Requires ability to lift a minimum of 50# and transport to the storage area.
• Demonstrates commitment to teamwork, including dedication to timely, appropriate resolution of conflict.

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees shall be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $16.55 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 20 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 4 hour shift
• Day shift
• Morning shift
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17