Job Description
POSITION SUMMARY
Animal Care Associates have one of the most important jobs within the shelter. These essential employees are responsible for providing daily care to the homeless pets at Lake Humane Society. Dedication, self-motivation, and compassion are key components to an effective Animal Care Associate who provides love and care to animals in need. These responsibilities include feeding, cleaning, giving medications, providing enrichment, conducting health evaluations, introducing pets to potential adopters, and more. QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent. Experience in handling animals in a shelter or veterinary clinic setting is strongly preferred. KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while remaining focused, driven, and on task. Organized and detail oriented. Must be able to effectively prioritize duties. Must recognize the importance of observation, prioritization of tasks, and staying on schedule. Knowledge of animal breeds, disease, medical conditions, behavior, and handling. The ability to treat both animals and people with respect and compassion. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Responsible for ensuring that all animals are properly cared for and looked after daily. Daily feedings of all shelter residents. Maintaining a clean, safe, and calm environment for all shelter residents. This includes cleaning their bedding, removing waste, sanitizing their cage, etc. Bathing, walking, enrichment, working on obedience, and caring for dogs. Responsible for doing rounds to observe any medical concerns and ensure quality care for all animals in shelter. Keeping accurate records/files and maintaining the ShelterLuv database as needed. Creating and adding animal bios to the database as needed. Abiding by all quarantine protocols and the use of Personal Protective Equipment. Effectively work alongside volunteers in animal care department. Animal Care staff may be responsible for holding volunteer training and shadowing for cage cleaning, dog walking, cat TLC, and/or general shelter maintenance. Animal Care staff must support all volunteers and treat them with respect. Ensure all volunteers in the Animal Care department abide by quarantine protocols. Representing LHS professionally and assisting potential adopters Assist potential adopters during the adoption process by introducing them to adoptable pets and answering questions about the pet and the adoption process. Report any medical findings to the medical team. Assist in guest services role(s) as needed. Assist in promoting Lake Humane Society's programs, services, and events as needed. Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and/or Shelter Manager SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS
This position is full-time, requiring at least 40 hours per week. Flexibility is a must, and Animal Care Associates may be required to work nights, weekends, and holidays, as LHS is a 365 day a year operation. This position requires 4 ten-hour shifts from 7:00a - 5:00p, with at least one weekend day as part of the regular schedule. The Animal Care Associate may also need to work nights and weekends for events, training, shelter meetings, and other special circumstances as directed by the Shelter Manager and/or Executive Director. WORK ENVIRONMENT
Performs work in a shelter setting. Exposure to animals, animal waste, bites, scratches, fumes from cleaning/disinfectant solutions, airborne particles, zoonotic diseases and moderate to high noise levels when in animal areas. MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND COMMUNCIATION DEMANDS
: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position is regularly required to use hands to fingers, handle, and talk and hear. The incumbent is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel or crouch. The position holder must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 60 pounds or more. Specific vision abilities required for this position include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus. Requires working alone or with minimal supervision. Must be self-motivated. Requires patience and tact when working with difficult, emotional, or angry people. Requires patience when working with fearful animals. Requires speaking and writing effectively and clearly in a professional manner. Requires clear verbal communication over the telephone and intercom to internal or external individuals. Requires treating people and animals in a pleasant, courteous, compassionate, and professional manner. Requires ability to work in a team environment and to provide team leadership to volunteers. COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY
Lake Humane Society is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of shelter professionals. We do not discriminate based on race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin and are an equal opportunity employer. AT WILL DISCLAIMER
The examples of duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of 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 does not constitute an employment agreement or contract between the employer and the employee and is subject to change without prior notice at the discretion of the employer, as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. I understand and agree that my employment can be terminated with or without cause and with or without notice at any time at the option of either me or the organization. Job Type:
Part-time Pay:
From $14.50 per hour Benefits:
Employee discount Paid time off Retirement plan Education:
High school or equivalent (Preferred) Experience:
Animal Shelter:
1 year (Preferred) Work Location:
In person
