On-Call Certified Animal Safety Representative (Austin, TX)

American Humane•Austin, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

American Humane Society currently accepts applications for our Certified Animal Safety Representatives (CASR) on a rolling basis for all geographic locations; we will keep your application on file for a period of time, and will reach out should an opening become available in your area. We are currently hiring and recruiting on a rolling basis for our next training class with a preference for candidates that are located in/around the following areas: Domestic Locations: Wilmington, NC Austin, TX International Locations: Toronto, ON, Canada Calgary, AB, Canada Vancouver, BC, Canada London, England Prague, CZ American Humane Society’s renowned No Animals Were Harmed® program has multiple On-Call opportunities available with training. The organization is seeking individuals with a Doctor in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Registered/Licensed/Certified Veterinary Technician (RVT/LVT/CVT) license, or B.S. in Animal Science or related field to represent the organization’s No Animals Were Harmed® program as a Certified Animal Safety Representative (CASR) on motion picture, television, commercial and new media locations. American Humane Society is committed to fostering a welcoming workplace. As we seek to fill this position, we encourage high-performing applicants from all backgrounds to apply. For nearly 150 years, American Humane Society has led the way in protecting animals and strengthening the bonds between animals and people. We respond first when animals need rescue, shelter, or protection. Through our groundbreaking programs – from our “No Animals Were Harmed®” certification in Hollywood to our farm and conservation welfare standards – we set the highest level of care and compassion in animal protection. Working at American Humane Society means being part of something bigger. With offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, we provide a supportive, professional environment where your work makes a real difference in animals’ lives. Job Summary: Responsible for representing American Humane Hollywood’s “No Animals Were Harmed®” program on motion picture, television, commercial, and new media locations, to assure the humane treatment of animal performers, to document how the animals are housed and cared for, how various scenes and /or stunts using animal performers are accomplished. To advise regarding animal safety issues and uphold AH’s Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media. Work includes critical and sensitive contacts with animal trainers, production executives, crew members and occasionally the media.

Requirements

Must have one or more of the following qualifications:
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Registered/Licensed/Certified Veterinary Technician (RVT/LVT/CVT)
B.S. in Animal Science or related field from an accredited school, or equivalent combination of experience and education
Diversity of experience in animal health and behavior preferred
Commitment to animal welfare
Equine knowledge and experience preferred
Broad knowledge and familiarity with range of animals, from horses to snakes and spiders, fish, dogs, birds, goats and cats
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; active listening
Adept at building collaborative relationships and demonstrating diplomacy
Knowledge of special effects and stunts involving animals preferred
Work effectively without direct supervision in the field
Detail-oriented and organized
Excellent judgment
Must be able to analyze situations and make recommendations within a short period
Adept at using computer for email and writing reports
Successful completion of the American Humane Society Certified Animal Safety Representative Training Course is required
To become a CASR, all selected applicants must complete and pass the CASR training during their probationary period of employment. This training lasts approximately 5 weeks and consists of approximately 1 week of classroom training and 4 weeks of on-set training.
Valid driver’s license required and ability to provide own transportation to production location.
Local, national and/or international travel will be required on-call, sometimes on short notice.

Responsibilities

Monitoring Animal Action in Filmed Media
Educate film personnel in humane matters, assist in any manner that pertains to the animals that are performing in the film, and ensure the safety and welfare of the animal(s) involved.
Report Writing
Timely and accurate report writing is critical; the report must be detailed in a manner that gives the reader a comprehensive understanding of the animal action, how it was achieved, and all safety precautions that were set in place to achieve the safety and welfare of all animals involved. Reports enable post production staff to determine whether a production will receive the AH end credit certification, “No Animals Were Harmed®”, provide information for the written review and determine a rating. Reports also serve as an accountability record regarding the treatment of the animal(s).
Communication and Diplomacy:
Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with diplomacy to work effectively with Hollywood program staff and production personnel, including: producers, directors, assistant directors, special effects personnel, pyrotechnics personnel, firefighters, wranglers, trainers, veterinarians, and local enforcement agencies, if an incident requires adjudication. May need to act as liaison to local agencies that have jurisdiction over animal welfare issues.
Location of Work Assignments:
NAWH CASRs are needed to work in their local and larger geographic regions as noted above as well as be available for travel to various locations throughout the country on an as needed basis. Additionally, international travel requiring a passport may be requested at times and is optional. Work assignments are often given on short notice and are subject to change. Production assignments vary greatly in length, from one hour to several months at a time on location. Production days may be 10-12 hours. CASRs must be equipped with various types of gear to adapt to extreme and changeable weather conditions that may occur during the filming of a production.
Research:
The Hollywood program will make every attempt to schedule a CASR that has experience and knowledge of the type of animal/animals that are scheduled to perform. At times the CASR may need to research a species to perform effectively on an assignment.
If there are questions, requests for further information regarding an assignment, the CASR is expected to contact the Hollywood program’s scheduling department to assist with any information i.e. species specific requirements for humane care and treatment, housing, safety precautions and filming specifics with which the CASR may not have adequate experience.
Dangerous animal action, i.e. explosives, stunts, pyrotechnics or any type of animal action that has the potential for serious injury requires the CASR to contact the Hollywood program office for instruction and/or experienced advice.
The general process is as follows:
The script will be read to determine the animal action that is being filmed.
Time permitting, the trainer and/or production will be called to determine how the scripted animal action will be achieved.
The pre-production information will be logged in the Hollywood program database.
The Hollywood program’s scheduling department will contact an CASR that is capable and available.
The available information will be given to the CASR assigned to the production.
The scheduling department/production will arrange for housing and transportation when necessary.
The CASR will be instructed with all the available, necessary information re: production contacts, geographical locations, potentially dangerous animal action, wrangler / trainer information, prior problems (good or bad) with the company/trainer/animal species/etc. as the information applies to their work with American Humane.
All the necessary paper work will be given to the CASR.
The CASR will be asked to sign confidentiality papers regarding the production, but these should be vetted through AH’s legal department.
The Hollywood program’s goal is to educate film personnel in humane matters, assist in any manner that pertains to the animal / animals that are performing in the film, and most of all to ensure the safety and welfare of the animal(s) involved.
All reports must be turned in on time and complete per the Report Writing policy.