Animal Intake and Assessment Coordinator

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The animal intake and assessment coordinator supports the daily completion of tasks related to animal intake including vaccines, health checks, assessments, enrichment, foster home recruitment and support, and assistance with behavior support programs as assigned. The animal intake and assessment coordinator models best practices and supports the training of shelter volunteers and employees in animal enrichment strategies.

DEPARTMENT: Behavior and Sheltering
REPORTS TO: Transfer and Assessment Supervisor
NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 0
STATUS: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt
SCHEDULE: 30-40 hours, variable, at least one weekend day is required

MISSION

Foothills Animal Shelter’s mission is: Providing support to our surrounding community through education, services that strengthen the human-pet bond, and humane care for the animals we serve.

VALUES

All employees and volunteers are expected to embody the Shelter’s Values which are to have honesty and integrity in all that we do, with the following values as our guide: 

• Stewardship: Assume responsibility and ownership for our actions within our shelter and our community.
• Positive Culture: Create a safe, supportive environment for the health, wellbeing, and development of staff and volunteers.
• Openness: Nurture an innovative, inclusive, and creative environment that cultivates conversations and relationships that actively work towards the future.
• Team Oriented: Build relationships, embrace teamwork, and foster collaboration in pursuit of our Mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Completes intakes, vaccines, and initial behavior and health evaluations for animals to support their best outcome.
• Conducts behavior assessments for the Shelter’s dogs and cats and coordinates dog to dog interaction for assessment, enrichment, and/or behavior change. 
• Under the direction of the department's leadership, takes point for enrichment and behavior maintenance plans. Assists behavior counselors in the execution of behavior support plans as needed. 
• Assists with the recruitment of foster applicants by conducting phone screens, background checks, training and home inspections.
• Assists with the matching and coordinating of pick up and drop off appointments for foster homes and animals.
• Assists with FAS transfer program including loading and unloading of transfer animals, processing animals upon arrival, completing necessary paperwork and coordinating foster care as directed.
• Serves as a positive role model to staff and volunteers, treating all animals humanely and with respect, in line with Fear Free sheltering philosophies.
• Maintains good working relationships and supports other shelter departments working closely with the volunteer, vet services and shelter services departments
• Maintains complete and accurate animal records, utilizing the Shelter’s animal management database and reporting to streamline animal processing and movement.
• Assists with coordination of kenneling and movement of animals efficiently and with correct contagion control procedures. 
• Performs euthanasia as dictated by the policies of the organization in a timely and compassionate manner, ensuring that all appropriate safety procedures are followed, and appropriate documentation is completed per DEA requirements.
• Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment and takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance with safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Professional or educational experience with basic veterinary procedures such as vaccinations, medication delivery, observation documentation and veterinary restraint strategies.
• Experience in animal sheltering or similar professional animal care field preferred.
• Professional or educational experience in animal learning theory, animal behavior, and positive-based force-free animal training preferred.  
• Fear Free Shelter certified or become Fear Free Shelter certified within 60 days of employment. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.   
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• General knowledge of animal care, treatments, disease, and proper, fear-free restraint of animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments. 
• Ability to multi-task and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment while providing courteous service to potentially difficult, emotional, or frustrated clients. 
• Actively contributes to a supportive team and environment by demonstrating resilience and optimism while undertaking challenging tasks to accomplish our mission. 
• Ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality when dealing with proprietary information and sensitive situations. 
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft office including word processing, spread sheets, meeting software and email; proficient with animal management software and databases. 
• Working knowledge of animal sheltering practices; highly supportive of open admissions philosophy. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of people and personality types.
• Euthanasia certified or capable of certifying within six months of start date.
• Valid driver license with insurable driving record preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must possess a current rabies vaccination or the ability to obtain one.
• Ten-hour shifts with frequent standing on hard floors, walking, bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting, and lifting.
• Noise, odors, chemical fumes, animal hair/dander are encountered due to equipment and animals.
• Subject to animal bites and scratches.
• Lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to be outdoors in all weather conditions year-round. 

EQUIPMENT USED

• Animal handling equipment and assessment tools: slip leads, catch poles, etc. 
• Veterinary equipment and tools including needles, syringes, etc.
• Animal and shelter management software.
• Vehicle use (company provided and personal).
• Chemicals and cleaning tools to provide care for the animals.

ADVANCEMENT

Employees in this position are eligible for a pay increase of $0.50 per hour upon certification and regular scheduling as a euthanasia technician. 

Employees in this position are eligible for incremental base pay increases up to $23.00/hour upon demonstrated proficiency in each of the following areas: administrative tasks specific to the role, animal processing tasks, animal assessments, dog-to-dog introductions, behavior support sessions, and specialized adoption counseling.

About Foothills Animal Shelter: As an open admission shelter, our doors are always open to pets in Jefferson County, and we are committed to serving our community as a socially-conscious shelter. We care for more than 9,000 dogs, cats, and small animals every year with a compassionate team of staff and volunteers. We are a community resource and offer a variety of services including pet adoption, supporting animals and patrons in need through our Better Together programs, Jefferson County pet licensing, and reuniting lost pets with their families. The Shelter is established under an intergovernmental agreement between Jefferson County, the City of Arvada, the City of Lakewood, the City of Wheat Ridge, the City of Golden, the City of Westminster and the City of Edgewater.

Benefits: Foothills Animal Shelter offers a competitive total compensation package. Full-time employees become eligible for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and other supplemental benefits after 60 days of employment. Foothills offers coverage of the premiums for employee medical, dental, vision, and long-term disability plans. Full-time employees earn sick and vacation time each pay period, plus six recognized holidays. After six months of employment employees who complete eligibility requirements may enroll in a 401K retirement plan that we will match up to 4%. Foothills Animal Shelter is a Public Services Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. 

Salary : $21 - $23