Animal Welfare Specialist

County of Santa Barbara•Santa Barbara, CA

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Welfare Specialist (AWS) supports both animals and community members through compassionate animal care, responsive customer service, and clear communication. This position engages with the public in person, by phone, and in writing, while working with animals in the shelter and during community-based activities. Under general supervision, the AWS provides daily care for shelter animals including feeding, cleaning, monitoring health and behavior, administering medications as directed, and providing enrichment. The AWS also assists customers with lost-and-found reports, animal adoptions, pet reunification, general inquiries, data entry, and documentation of animal control activities. Depending on daily assignments and trainings, the position may also conduct or assist with behavioral assessments, support veterinary procedures, participate in euthanasia procedures, maintain shelter facilities and grounds, and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Ability to handle sick, injured, dangerous, or dead animals and decomposing animal carcasses in a safe and humane manner
Ability to learn the physical and behavioral characteristics of animals
Ability to learn and recognize symptoms of rabies and other common animal diseases
Ability to participate in humane euthanasia of animals as authorized and in accordance with applicable laws, departmental policies, and established procedures
Ability to learn basic first aid treatments
Ability to learn the methods and techniques used in the care and handling of animals
Ability to use appropriate chemicals and cleaning agents
Ability to pick up fecal material
Ability to analyze a situation and adopt a course of action
Ability to develop and maintain working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, agencies, and organizations
Ability to make simple arithmetical calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
Ability to learn applicable laws, regulations and ordinances
Ability to keep accurate records
Ability to understand and follow instructions
Ability to learn computer operations
Ability to use tools and equipment
Ability to work independently
Lift, move, or carry animals or objects weighing up to 75 lbs.
Use strong chemicals for disinfecting kennels.
Uniform is required.
The ability to work weekends and shifts is required.
Regardless of the initial work schedule assigned, transfers to others may be required.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.
All County employees must reside in the State of California throughout the duration of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience caring for animals, preferably in an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, boarding facility or similar setting.
A minimum of one year of experience in customer service.
Approach animals and community members with empathy, patience, professionalism, and a problem-solving mindset.
Communicate effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including individuals experiencing stressful or emotional situations.
Be comfortable learning and using Microsoft Office, Goole Workspace, databases and/or animal related software systems.
Be able to safely handle animals with varying medical, behavioral, and emotional needs.
Be available to work rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays.
Be able to perform physically and emotionally demanding work in a busy shelter environment.
Bilingual skills are a plus.
The ability to converse fluently in English and Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides daily care for shelter animals, including preparing and distributing food and water, cleaning and disinfecting kennels and animal housing areas, washing bowls and litter pans, laundering bedding, removing animal waste, and maintaining clean and sanitary animal care spaces.
Observes animals for signs of illness, injury, stress, or changes in behavior and promptly documents and reports concerns.
Separates or isolates animals when appropriate and safely intervenes when animals present a risk to themselves or others.
Assists veterinary staff with examinations, vaccinations, diagnostic procedures, and treatments.
Administers medications and routine treatments as directed and within the employee’s training and authority.
Maintains accurate animal records, including daily population counts, medical and behavioral observations, medications administered, animal locations, and outcomes.
Reports discrepancies or concerns to a supervisor or veterinarian.
Participates in humane euthanasia procedures, including animal handling, preparation, documentation, and other related responsibilities, as trained and authorized.
Assists with the preparation and timely delivery of rabies specimens for laboratory testing in accordance with applicable procedures.
Assists community members in person, by telephone, and through written communication with animal adoptions, pet reunification, lost-and-found reports, animal redemptions, owner surrenders, and general shelter inquiries.
Provides information and guidance regarding animal care, licensing, vaccinations, rabies prevention, spaying and neutering, responsible pet ownership, available community resources, and shelter programs and services.
Introduces animals to prospective adopters and assists customers with identifying pets that may be appropriate for their household, experience, and lifestyle.
Collects and processes adoption, redemption, licensing, and other applicable fees; issues receipts; and completes related financial and administrative records.
Performs data entry and completes written and electronic records, including animal records, kennel cards, medication and controlled-substance logs, daily activity reports, repair requests, and other required documentation.
Maintains inventories of animal food, medications, cleaning products, and other shelter supplies and notifies appropriate staff when additional supplies are needed.
Maintains shelter facilities, grounds, equipment, and vehicles. Duties may include cleaning public and staff areas, restrooms, windows, walls, and floors; removing weeds and debris; stocking and cleaning vehicles; making minor repairs; and checking gates, locks, and other areas for safety and security concerns.
Prepares and issues citations for animal licensing violations when assigned, trained, and authorized.
Handles animals of varying sizes, species, medical conditions, and behavioral needs using appropriate equipment and established safety and animal-handling practices.
Performs other related duties as assigned.