Animal Services Intern

Under the direction of the Animal Services Manager, the Animal Shelter Intern assists with shelter operations in animal care and adoption. The Intern assists the public at the front desk, both in person and on the phone. South Salt Lake operates a no-kill shelter that is part of the Best Friends Animal Society Network. Intern will work up to 20 hours per week for the duration of 3 months. Intern must work at least 2 hours on both Saturday and Sunday.

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Essential Responsibilities And Duties

• Assists in animal shelter operations.
• 1. Cleans the animal shelter, including kennels, cages and animal areas.
• 2. Cares for animals, including feeding, walking, moving to outdoor pens, socializing, cleaning, etc.
• 3. Maintains records relating to shelter, euthanization, licenses, impounds, adoptions, animal pickup.
• 4. Provides support and communications for Animal Services Officers.
• 5. Must work at least 2 hours on both Saturday and Sunday to care for animals.
  
  

• Assists the public and their pets.
• 1. Answers and directs shelter incoming telephone calls, emails and other requests for information.
• 2. Assists the public with animal adoptions, surrenders and impounds, spay/neutering referrals.
• 3. Assist with animal care services, including registration, microchipping, euthanizing, etc.
• 4. Provides research assistance to owners of lost animals.
• 5. Assist with animal introductions and interactions with persons looking to adopt an animal.
• 6. Assists in communications, social media and community outreach.
• 7. Assists in events such as adoption events, open houses, shot clinics and other shelter activities.
• Other duties as assigned by Manager or Department Director.
  

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Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Graduation from a high school or GED equivalent is required, plus one year related education and or equivalent experience as veterinary technician or assistant preferred.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Skill in animal handling and care.
• Skill in managing various sizes and species of animals in different states, including aggressive behavior and ill health.
• Skill in customer service and relating to people in stressful situations.
• Skill in using independent judgment and analyzing situations and making appropriate decisions.
• Skill in properly handling confidential information and files.
• Knowledge of computers and software, including internet, email, word processing, spreadsheets, and shelter operations software.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to clean and sanitize animal living spaces, which requires lifting, bending and strength.
• Ability to physically manage and control an animal in a variety of settings.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen and criminal background check.
  
  

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PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met or will be encountered by an employee while successfully performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear, stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to operate objects, tools or controls, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally may work in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and occasionally is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee may be exposed to strong odors. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.

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The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of the specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.