Animal Care Specialist DOQ

Manatee County Government•Bradenton, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Plays a direct role in achieving Manatee County’s no-kill mission and goal by providing hands-on care for animals in the shelter, working with internal departments to find those animals homes wherever possible, and serving as ambassadors for county residents, volunteers, and adopters who visit the shelter. Contributes to the health, wellbeing, and general care of dogs and cats. Plays a unique role as the direct day-to-day connector between the animals in our care and our residents.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
One or more years of experience as an Animal Care Specialist or similar position.
Able to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions and complete tasks within assigned timeframes.
Able to resolve routine situations and problems.
Basic knowledge and understanding of open adoption processes.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns including shyness, fearfulness, and aggression; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs.
Basic knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job duties.
Basic knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.
Good written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills to be able to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, management, adopters, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
Able to engage professionally during challenging conversations and accurately educate the public.
Capable of working under close supervision.
Organizes own work and completes tasks within assigned timeframes.
General knowledge and understanding of open adoption processes.
Able to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns including shyness, fearfulness, and aggression.
General ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs.
General knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job duties.
General knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.

Nice To Haves

Previous work or volunteer experience with an animal shelter or similar organization desired.
Previous customer service experience desired.

Responsibilities

Assists with all aspects of the adoption process.
Provide excellent customer service to visitors, volunteers, and adopters.
Positively interacts with volunteers and promotes a team environment.
Greets visitors to the shelter, answers questions, and assists visitors with their needs.
Delivers excellent, non-judgmental customer service to all visitors, adopters, fosters, and transfer partners in a friendly, informative and professional manner.
Provides basic and routine care for animals per department guidelines, including feeding, watering, and light grooming.
Supports animals with medical issues, which may include zoonotic disease, by medicating, treating, preparing special diets, observing and reporting, and assisting in the maintenance of required records.
Provides socialization, enrichment, and exercise for animals as directed.
Identifies behavioral issues and shares observations with team members and leaders.
Follows behavior or training plans developed for specific animals.
Cleans work areas and preserves physical appearance of buildings and grounds, including scooping, raking, sweeping, mopping, and trash removal.
Notes maintenance or repairs needed and reports per protocol.
Follows policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving outcome assignments, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
Strictly adheres to established safety procedures to protect self, co-workers, and the general public.
Attends job-specific training classes as assigned by supervisor.
Performs other related duties as assigned, including participation in emergency or disaster response activities, as required and consistent with the employee’s qualifications, essential job functions, and applicable federal and Florida law, including work in the Emergency Operations Center and pet friendly shelters.
Assist Foster Coordinator with foster appointments, supplies, return surveys and inputting information to the database.
Support Front Desk function processing adoptions, licenses, money handling and provide good customer service.
Respond to customer service in box and provide information about services provided by the facility.
Take lost & found reports and follow-up when a match has been found.