Feline Programs Associate

The Animal Foundation•Las Vegas, NV

About The Position

Responsible for assisting all Feline Programs: Community Cats (CCP), Neonatal Care (NCP), and Working Cats (WCP). This encompasses performing outreach and fieldwork to sterilize free-roaming cats through Trap Neuter Return (TNR) efforts, returning stray cats brought to the shelter back to their outdoor homes after surgery, providing specialized feeding/care for orphaned neonatal kittens at our on-site Nursery, supporting foster parents/volunteers helping to care for the kittens, and transporting working cats to their adoptive homes.

Requirements

Equivalent to a High School diploma
One (1) year of demonstrated guest service experience
Incumbent must be at least 21 years of age and possess and maintain a valid Class C Nevada Driver License.
Incumbents under age 25 must possess and maintain a clean driving record, and be licensed for at least three years prior.
Those over age 25 must possess and maintain a safe driving record that will allow for acceptable insurance risk to the Foundation.
Knowledge of: Non-profit work, community outreach, grassroots efforts.
Knowledge of: Socio-economic challenges faced by low-income communities.
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of guest service.
Knowledge of: Basic kitten care and its related tools and equipment.
Knowledge of: Basic animal breeds, characteristics, health, nutrition, and humane care.
Knowledge of: Standard administrative office practices and procedures, including record-keeping systems and the operation of office equipment, computers, and associated software.
Knowledge of: Correct understanding, speaking, and writing of business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Skill in: Demonstrating concern for the welfare of people and animals, and treating all of them with respect.
Skill in: Interpersonal sensitivity and cultural competency/awareness for working with diverse populations while providing non-judgemental and compassionate guest services.
Skill in: Communicating with, relating to, and interacting with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, in person, by email, and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
Skill in: Fostering public relations beneficial to the shelter and its programs.
Skill in: Training, educating, and positively engaging others, especially those from diverse backgrounds in the community, in door-to-door canvassing and other assigned activities.
Skill in: Dealing tactfully and effectively with team members, volunteers, and the general public, and communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
Skill in: Learning to perform trapping, proper care, and transportation of animals.
Skill in: Working calmly and efficiently under pressure and without close supervision.
Skill in: Learning to work with animals of unknown histories and those who may exhibit medical concerns/under-socialization, as well as fearful tendencies.
Skill in: Identification of problems and/or patient conditions (medical and behavioral) that need to be brought to the attention of the proper department.
Skill in: Adhering to all established guidelines, protocols, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s).
Skill in: Use of business software and associated computer hardware.
Skill in: Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, instructions, and other written materials.
Skill in: Gathering and compiling information; keeping/preparing accurate records, reports, and summaries.
Skill in: Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives, and activities.

Responsibilities

Performs outreach and fieldwork in the community; including educating the public.
May complete scheduled trappings for TNR initiatives with other team members/volunteers by setting regular/drop traps and checking them throughout assignments
Returns stray cats back to their outdoor homes after surgery if labeled for ‘CCP’ and distributes door hangers/flyers in the area.
Contributes to the readiness of the kitten nursery for incoming kittens/moms during the Spring and Summer months (“Kitten Season”) by bottle feeding, syringe feeding, and/or tube feeding neonatal kittens as indicated and aiding them during food transitioning periods.
Ensures the maintenance of a temperature-controlled environment, prepares milk replacer and/or other appropriate food for newborn/underweight kittens, and feeds/waters pregnant/nursing mothers based on their individual needs/schedules during Kitten Season.
Records appropriate feeding data into charts/shelter software, documents developmental progress of kittens, maintains an up-to-date inventory of nursery population, and assures necessary information is displayed prominently on the kennels/board as necessary during Kitten Season.
Adheres to an agreed schedule in order to ensure round-the-clock care for neonatal kittens and perform trapping assignments, including evening/night shifts, as needed.
Aids in the training process of department volunteers and works collaboratively with them to ensure they receive the support/resources needed to feel prepared and empowered in their roles.
Provides support, assistance, and resources to community members caring for or having issues with free-roaming cats, and foster parents of neonatal kittens.
Preserves a sanitized, organized, and orderly appearance of assigned areas and vehicles at all times while maintaining them well stocked with needed supplies and equipment.
Sorts, moves, and stocks food, supplies, materials, and donations, as needed.
Monitors cats throughout shifts and relays any relevant findings to the Veterinary Services team and other departments, as needed, to ensure the humane care and welfare of all cats.
Transports animals to partner emergency overnight veterinary hospitals due to illness or decline in health when directed and working cats to their adoptive homes when needed.
Transports animals to our surgical partner for sterilization surgery.
Provides guidance and support on the proper care, housing, handling, and enrichment of shelter cats to internal departments, as developed by the management team, when directed.
Performs administrative/clerical duties in a timely fashion as needed, including but not limited to: completing required documentation; communicating with internal departments/community members in person, by telephone, and through email; etc.
Interacts with guests as necessary and always presents themselves in a professional manner consistent with the guiding principles and values of The Animal Foundation.
Builds strong, positive relationships in the community based on trust, respect, and care for both cats and people.
Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization’s service to its guests by offering suggestions and participating as an active member of a work team.
Provides responsive, meaningful, and compassionate service to all guests
Other duties as assigned.