Community Cat Coordinator

Position Title:                Community Cat Coordinator 

Hours:                          Full-Time, may require nights, weekends and holidays

Supervisor:                   Clinic Manager

Classification:              Non-exempt, hourly

SUMMARY

The Community Cat Coordinator manages all activities and education associated with HSHV’s Community Cat Program in an effort to reduce the overpopulation of free roaming community cats while supporting a higher quality of life, increasing their value in the community, and reducing unnecessary euthanasia of cats.   

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

This position demands a compassionate and caring individual who posesses  extensive experience and knowledge of feral and domestic cats and their care.  This position requires someone with impeccable communication skills who can be both diplomatic and compassionate with difficult clients. They must be able to provide outstanding customer service to the public at large; initiate outreach and advocacy efforts (often including public speaking); and effectively recruit, train and retain volunteers.  Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.  Must be computer literate and be able to lift a minimum of 40 pounds.  Position requires lifting, stooping, bending, sitting and kneeling for extended periods of time. 

An animal care facility can be an emotionally challenging, high-stress, rapidly changing, and high-demand environment.  Feelings of grief and loss, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue are not uncommon.  As such, working at HSHV requires a high degree of emotional regulation and resilience; the ability to tolerate and manage stress; adaptability to change; empathy for both animals and people; and an overall positive outlook.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General

1. Perform high level customer service, quick response to emails, phone calls, and general concerns and misconceptions about the program as they arise – providing education through service.
2. Provide ongoing education through face-to-face communications with participants in the field or concerned community members.
3. Maintain and pursue education of staff for best practices of community cat welfare.
4. Partner with shelter management and behavior team on new and existing programs for non-traditional outcomes for community cats in the shelter.
5. Be a strong public representative of HSHV’s mission and goals.
6. Work cooperatively with coworkers and volunteers to help ensure a smooth flow of operations, and to meet the highest standards of animal care.  Bring problems and concerns to Manager.
7. Other duties as assigned.

Trapping & Coordination                                                                                                                     60%

1. Follow, maintain and update all policies and procedures and necessary forms related to HSHV’s TNR program.  
2. Schedule, plan and perform trappings in coordination with HSHV Clinic.
3. Monitor and ensure appropriate pre- and post-care of TNR cats while at HSHV, as per policy. Ensure high quality animal care and the safety of staff and volunteers.
4. Assess trapped cats during trappings and report any that are sick or injured to the veterinarian providing surgery for extra care or humane euthanasia.  Coordinate any needed ongoing care with the caretaker. 
5. Alert Intake Manager, or back up when needed, when a cat or kitten may be eligible for adoption. 
6. Coordinate services and harmonize efforts with outside organizations that utilize the TNR 

program.

1. Ensure, manage, and maintain inventory of TNR equipment, rentals and supplies, as well maintain clean/stock inventory of the community cat room and vehicle. 
2. Keep detailed log of each trapping, names of colony managers, locations, individual cats, and sterilization records in PetPoint and enter surgery log information for completed surgeries

Outreach, Education & Placement                                                                                                     30%

1. Provide education, training, and support to caretakers so that they can effectively care for  free roaming community cats in their area.  
2. Provide outreach to and communication with residents, landlords, municipalities and other parties on the importance of community cats in their area. 
3. Maintain HSHV Community Cat Facebook page. 
4. Train and coordinate TNR volunteers to faciliate and perform trappings.
5. Provide support to and transportation for cats in need of,  as well as colony release or return to field cats.
6. Pursue grant opportunities and other funding sources for the program through applications, relationship building at the municipality level and general education series.  

Geographical Impact Studies                                                                                                             10%

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing this job, you will be required to continually walk, stand, squat, twist, and kneel, reach and grab with your hands and arms, in addition to being able to lift and move animals, materials and equipment weighing 40 lbs or more. This position requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing. Work is subject to frequent interruptions. 

You will be exposed to various weather conditions when working outdoors. You will be exposed to disinfectant solutions while cleaning. You will be consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens, including animal hair, dander, saliva, fecal matter, urine, zoonotic diseases, fleas and other mites or bugs. You may also be subject to potential danger including parasites and infectious diseases, animal bites and scratches. 

MENTAL DEMANDS

While performing this job, you will be regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; observe and interpret situations; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information and skills; perform repetitive work on multiple, concurrent tasks; fulfill intensive deadlines; and interact with staff, the public, volunteers and others encountered in the course of work. You will be exposed to others’ pain and suffering, and must be able to handle occasional volatile situations.

Please note: This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The Humane Society of Huron Valley is an at-will employer.