Animal Care Attendant - Behavior Specialist (3370) - Office of City Administrator - ACC

City & County of San Francisco (CA)•San Francisco, CA

44d•$32 - $41

About The Position

The San Francisco Department of Animal Care & Control (SFACC) is a taxpayer-funded, open-admission animal shelter. Since 1989, SFACC has provided housing, care, and medical treatment to wild, exotic and domestic stray, lost, abandoned, sick, injured, and surrendered animals. SFACC's doors are open to all animals in need regardless of species, medical, or behavioral condition. The shelter also enforces all state and local Animal Control and Welfare laws and is the first responder for animals in natural disasters and citizen emergencies. <li>SFACC shelters homeless, neglected, and abused animals and provide humane education and many other services to the community. SFACC is the local agency that investigates animal cruelty, enforces animal welfare laws, rescues injured and orphaned wildlife and birds, and aids domestic animals in distress. SFACC aims to adopt, re-home, or reunite domestic animals with their guardians and to release wildlife to their native habitat. Under direct supervision from the Behavioral and Training Assistant Supervisor, the 3370 Animal Care Attendant performs the following essential functions;

Requirements

Six (6) months verifiable hands-on professional or volunteer experience in the care, feeding and/or handling of animals in a facility that cares for and/or houses animals (e.g. animal care/control agency, humane society, veterinary hospital, boarding or pet day care facility, or pet store), working principally with dogs and cats; OR
30 semester or 45 quarter units of coursework in an animal husbandry, veterinary science or a related program at an accredited college or university.
One (1) year verifiable experience in caring for animals in a park, zoo, museum or university setting.
Must complete euthanasia training within six (6) months of appointment.
Some positions may require possession and maintenance of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California Class C Driver's License.

Nice To Haves

CPDT-KA, CTC or equivalent certification, or comparable experience working with and training dogs in a professional capacity, and teaching public or volunteer dog training classes.
Knowledge of dog health and behavior issues, particularly those common in a shelter environment.
Must be articulate, organized and be able to manage multiple priorities.
Must have the ability to be patient and tactful when interacting with challenging, sensitive or emotional people and issues.
Must have strong active listening and communication skills.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Chameleon a plus.

Responsibilities

Assists the Behavior and Training (B&T) Assistant Supervisor to ensure the shelter provides the highest quality care for dogs at SFACC.
Assists in coordinating the internal Pathway Planning of dogs approved for transfer to adoption partner organizations.
Performs behavior evaluations on dogs at the shelter to determine whether they are suitable for adoption at SFACC.
Provides enrichment for dogs at the shelter to reduce stress, and helps implement behavior modification plans.
Conducts play groups with other B&T staff on a weekly basis.
Responsible for teaching volunteer training classes.
Provides counseling for adopters before or after adoption, as needed.
Performs general housekeeping duties, such as laundry, dishwashing and other general duties as they relate to B&T supplies and needs.
Assists B&T staff and Volunteer Coordinator with promoting active and broad participation by dog volunteers.
Communicates effectively and professionally with co-workers, management and the public at all times. Promotes and emulates exemplary customer service.
Assists staff, volunteers and the public in obtaining information about dog behavior and training.
Participates in special shelter projects and events including bi-annual town hall meetings, the annual Pet Pride Day and quarterly staff meetings.
Performs related duties as assigned.