Lead Animal Support Specialist

Title: Lead Animal Support Specialist (Cats)

Department: Animal Welfare

This position reports to: Animal Welfare Supervisor

Schedule: The Scheule for this position is Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Purpose of Position: The Lead Animal Support Specialist develops, implements, and tracks enrichment/behavior plans for shelter animals as well as identifies and addresses animals that are experiencing fear, stress and anxiety. The Lead Animal Support Specialist ensures staff adherence to protocol and policies that provide safe, high-quality support and enrichment from intake to outcome. The Lead Animal Support Specialist coordinates with other departments to optimize the health and welfare of the animals and, whenever possible, set them up for success in a new home.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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 are required to follow any other job related duties assigned by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at‐will” relationship.

• Support organization objectives and plans including existing programs such as dog walking, playgroups, and enrichment. Work with other departments to assess and monitor programmatic efficacy and impact and implement improvements.
• In partnership with other departments, monitor the behavior of animals in NHS care to identify animals not thriving or needing extra support in the shelter environment and execute detailed management plans to support their stay at the shelter.
• Monitor and review shelter documents that track behavior such as yellow sheets and daily observation sheets to identify and resolve issues. Utilize shelter software (Chameleon) and other tools to input objective observations and create truthful yet enticing biographies.
• Work with operations teams and Animal Support Specialists to implement, monitor and revise plans for animals that need additional support to enhance their adoptability and maintain their emotional wellbeing.
• Partner with the volunteer department to ensure canine companion volunteer recruitment and training needs are met for playgroups and enrichment.
• Provide behavioral information in daily population rounds and welfare meetings to discuss animals’ behavioral status and progress to aid in appropriate disposition decisions (foster, rescue placement, euthanasia, etc.).
• Work closely with the Animal Welfare Supervisor and Director to ensure administrative and personnel concerns are addressed.
• Provide support to all animals throughout the shelter by overseeing daily enrichment plans and playgroup schedule for dogs.
• Support other departments by providing appropriate training of new staff and volunteers to increase their understanding of animal body language and increase their skillset with handling and enrichment.
• Conduct owner surrender intake interviews to gather more information about animals’ behavioral history and needs.
• Provide behavior counseling and advice to foster families.
• Assist adoptions team as needed.
• Assist in making euthanasia decisions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications: Education, Experience, Certification, and Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum 3 years working in an animal shelter or other animal behavior/training/care capacity.
• Demonstrated knowledge of animal body language.
• General understanding of animal behavior and learning principles and ability to communicate these concepts to others.
• Experience safely and comfortably handling animals of all breeds.
• Ability to generate new and inventive ways of assessing, training, or providing enrichment for animals that need extra behavioral support.
• Affection and compassion for animals, concern for their welfare, and willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.
• Team-oriented mentality and ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with others.
• Self-motivated and able to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Independent judgement and ability to make difficult decisions about animals’ outcomes.
• Demonstrates maturity, good judgment, and professionalism. Good analytical skills and ability to identify issues/opportunities.
• Be comfortable and skilled in working with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and community.
• Ability to handle the emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment, including the use of euthanasia.
• Ability to multitask and use critical thinking skills during intense situations.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel; capable of learning shelter system database.

Desired

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in related field

Work Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions within the work environment.

• The noise level in the office environment is usually quiet, though barking or whining of animals may be escalated at certain times in certain areas of the building.
• High exposure to animals whose reactions to the shelter environment cannot be predicted.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Temperatures in the shelter environment are varied, though usually moderate, and dependent on the season.
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases and hazardous chemicals.
• Ability to work around animals without severe allergic reactions.

Physical Requirements:

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

The Nebraska Humane Society provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, status as a veteran, or any other protected category, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.