DEPARTMENT: Behavior & Sheltering
REPORTS TO: Behavior Manager
DIRECT REPORTS: 0
STATUS: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt OR temporary, hourly, non-exempt
SCHEDULE: 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.

POSITION SUMMARY

The animal evaluation and intake specialist supports operations regarding the intake, vaccinations, health checks and medicating of all shelter animals.  They work closely with the animal care department to ensure proper disease control and efficient movement of animals through the shelter and with all Shelter departments to minimize animal length of stay and maximize stress reduction.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Completes intakes, vaccines and initial behavior and health evaluations for animals to support their best outcome.
• Assists with coordination of kenneling and movement of animals efficiently and with correct contagion control procedures.
• Utilizes Shelter Buddy program and reporting to streamline animal processing and movement.
• Performs data entry and documentation to update animal records.
• Communicates daily with the veterinary services team to ensure animals in need of escalated medical care receive proper and efficient treatment.
• Supports and completes basic treatments as indicated by vet services staff.
• Communicates daily with animal behavior team to ensure animals in need of behavior support are correctly identified and evaluations are documented clearly.
• As needed, supports the behavior coordinators to ensure appropriate placement and enrichment for the Shelter’s animal population.
• Reviews all animal notes and history to determine animal flow and fast track candidacy.
• Performs euthanasia in a timely and compassionate manner, ensuring that all appropriate safety procedures are followed.
• Contributes to and leads initiatives to improve processes and procedures.
• Ensures proper and safe handling of animals, providing training to staff and volunteers as needed.
• Supports the animal care team with daily feeding and cleaning of the animals in our care and sterilizing and cleaning kennels as needed.
• Supports the Shelter’s Animal Control partners by maintaining good communication with officers and providing support with animal handling and flow as needed.
• Assists and supports the animal transfer program to include driving for pick-ups/drop-offs.
• Works closely with the director of animal behavior & sheltering, the director of veterinary services, and the associate director of shelter services to determine best course of action regarding animals coming in through animal control.
• Participates in trainings and meetings.
• 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.
  Serves as a positive role model to staff and volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated skills in safe animal handling.
• Working knowledge of common animal breeds and colors.
• High attention to detail and ability to complete work without close supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate with staff, volunteers, and the public in a professional, credible, respectful, and personable manner.
• 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 and 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 work closely with volunteers within an animal care environment and communicate in a respectful, appreciative manner.
• Basic understanding of animal learning theory with emphasis on positive reinforcement.
• Euthanasia certified or ability to become so within 90 days of employment.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• One year animal welfare experience preferred.
• Experience in animal welfare or other professional animal care field preferred.
• Fear Free Shelter certified or become Fear Free Shelter certified within 60 days of employment.
• Training or willing to be trained in euthanasia administration.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ability to work 8 to 10-hour shifts.
• Availability to work Saturdays and/or Sundays.
• Noise, odors, chemical fumes, animal hair and dander are encountered due to equipment and animals.
• Subject to animal bites and scratches.
• Must be able to manage the emotional aspect of end-of-life services and humane euthanasia, and support employees in high-emotion circumstances.
• Daily lifting of up to 50 lbs.
• Frequent standing on concrete floors, walking, bending, kneeling, and stooping.
• Occasional travel for transfer program.

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 7,000 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, Jefferson County pet licensing, vaccinations, microchipping, and lost and found pets. 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.

Compensation: $18.00 per hour

Benefits: Foothills Animal Shelter offers a competitive total compensation package. Employees become eligible for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long term disability, and an array of supplemental benefits after 60 days of employment. Foothills offers coverage of the premiums for medical plans, dental, vision, and long-term disability. Employees earn sick and vacation time each pay period, plus six recognized holidays. After six months of employment, employees are eligible for a 401K retirement plan that we will match up to 3%.