What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Services Associate position at Lexington Humane Society?
Overview
Are you someone who embraces others with compassion, respect, and a willingness to help? Are you passionate about animals? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of citizens and animals in our community? Lexington-Fayette Animal Care & Control (LFACC) could be the place for you!
Animal Services Associates (ASA) provide services to the community to inform, educate, and resolve animal-related issues, work to reunite pets with their owners in a timely and accurate manner, and act as experts on animal intake, processing, and returns.
Animal Services Associates must be able to read, understand, and explain applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances; generate cooperation and compliance from customers while providing an exceptional level of service; analyze a situation and adopt a course of action; exercise tact and independent judgement in dealing with the public; speak to a wide range of people.
Candidates must be at least 21 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have a valid driver’s license, and submit to a background check.
This position requires a strong commitment to the mission and purpose of Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control (LFACC) and the Lexington Humane Society (LHS).
Job Skills / Requirements
Key Accountabilities:
- Animal Intake, Processing, Returns, and Licensing
- Interfaces with the public to inform, educate, and resolve animal-related issues
- Impounds, vaccinates, houses animals per protocol
- Prioritizes the compassionate and humane treatment of animals
- Follows all safe animal handling and transport protocols
- Completes all activities consistent with SOP
- Assesses animal sex, age, and breed type
- Identifies animals’ demeanor, health, age, gender, and breed
- Scans animals for microchip identification and researches possible owner information
- Takes pictures of stray animals
- Maintains the Lost and Found online function
- Searches various sources for Lost and Found information to reunite pets and owners
- Notifies owners of impounded animals
- Assesses and applies applicable fees according to SOP
- Maintains detailed documentation of lost and found communication
- Maintains a working knowledge of animals on base
- Ensures a clean and well-maintained Animal Services area
- Handles money and maintains a cash drawer with receipts
- Maintains confidentiality of customer and animal information
- Uses Personal Protective Equipment where appropriate and maintains the equipment
- Ensures all LFACC and LHS issued licenses are entered into the system properly and in a timely fashion
- Ensures all privacy and proprietary licensing information is protected
- Customer Service
- Provides an exceptional level of inclusive customer service
- Educates the public on laws and ordinances relating to animal welfare
- Encourages the public to seek proper veterinary treatment
- Educates the public on the difference between LFACC and LHS
- Respectfully promotes spay/neuter to all customers
- Promotes micro-chipping service, licensing, rabies and booster vaccinations
- Encourages alternatives to pet relinquishment
- Manages voicemail and email messages and responds appropriately
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge
- Current laws and ordinances
- LFACC and relevant LHS SOP
- Word, Excel, and other applicable shelter software
- Animal breeds, basic behavior, temperament, and care
Skills
- Excellent internal and external customer service skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational skills with an attention to detail
- Internet research skills
Abilities
- Works in a team environment
- Self-motivates and works independently in a timely fashion
- Handles difficult situations
- Multitasks in a high pressure environment
- Assimilates incoming information and immediately prioritizes
- Evaluates situations and determines correct level of response
- Makes decisions quickly and accurately
- Interfaces with other departments to ensure the humane care of animals
- Communicates respectfully with all levels of the organization
- Handles all types of animals, large and small
- Lifts animals, sometimes weighing in excess of 60 lbs
- Handles vicious, sick, and dangerous animals safely and humanely
- Handles constant mental pressure of life and death decision-making by other staff members
- Handles intake in a respectful and empathetic manner
- Maintains flexibility and willingness to assist with what is needed for the betterment of the organization
Exciting work environment
Opportunities to work with and help animals everyday
Opportunities for career advancement
Hand-on training and professional development
Uniforms and safety/communication equipment
Weekly pay
Eligibility to participate in a Pet Wellness Program for your owned pets
20% merchandise discount
Benefits: Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Insurance, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Days, Paid Holidays, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Pension/Retirement
Screening Requirements: Criminal Background Check
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