JOB DESCRIPTION

The Behavior and Enrichment Specialist supports the Behavior and Enrichment Manager in ensuring the emotional and behavioral well-being of every animal sheltered at McKamey Animal Center, helping to assure every pet MAC places is a safe companion for the public and supporting the community we serve in healthy and safe animal caretaking. MAC is committed to not euthanizing animals for space, but as an open admissions agency we frequently deal with animals that are ill, injured or unsafe for placement. As such, the successful candidate must be able to compassionately, thoughtfully and transparently participate in team discussions regarding individual animals’ behavior and safety, kennel presentation, and quality of life. Working collaboratively with staff and volunteers, the successful candidate will help assess animals (primarily dogs) for determination of appropriate placement pathways, implement behavior modification and stress reduction plans to improve the adoptability of animals when possible, assist animal care staff in making space for incoming animals, and ensure that animals receive appropriate enrichment and socialization throughout their shelter stay.

SALARY AND SCHEDULE

• Hourly Rate: $16+ dependent on experience/certification
• Schedule: Flexible, weekend and evening hours likely
• Benefits: Medical, dental, holidays, retirement plan

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (includes, but not limited to):

• Follow established protocols and procedures for assessing behavior of sheltered animals in order to determine and expedite proper placement pathways.
• Participate in training and behavioral modification efforts to increase sheltered animals’ adoptability.
• Provide enrichment for sheltered animals in accordance with established protocols.
• Assist with movement of animals within the shelter to ensure open space for incoming animals.
• Support the public in preventing and resolving behavior challenges that otherwise might result in relinquishment.
• Help train staff, volunteers and the general public on topics including, but not limited to, safe and humane animal handling, enrichment and behavior, delivery of enrichment programs, playgroups, behavior assessment and monitoring, and support for clients with concerns about behavior issues.
• Assist staff and volunteers in the performance of their respective job responsibilities related to animal behavior and enrichment, and promote the development of related skills.
• Help ensure that MAC maintains compliance with applicable provisions of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters.
• Accurately maintain records and daily paperwork, behavioral statistics and other records and data.
• Ensure highest standards of professionalism and customer service whenever interacting with others.
• Work closely with MAC veterinary, animal services and animal care staff and volunteers to ensure the highest standards of animal health, welfare and lifesaving.
• Support the humane euthanasia of animals behaviorally unsuited for placement in the community.
• Assist with daily care, movement and cleaning of sheltered animals, as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications and Skills

• Demonstrable knowledge of basic domestic animal care and safe/humane animal handling required.
• Strong animal handling skills and demonstrated understanding of basic animal health, care and welfare issues required.
• Must be computer savvy.
• Ability to maintain composure in an often stressful and emotional work environment.
• Ability to make sound judgments and work independently and in a team setting in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.
• Proven organizational skills and attention to detail, and effective record keeping ability.
• Ability to relate to and confer with Veterinarians, shelter leadership, co-workers and the general public in a positive and constructive manner at all times; ability to exercise good judgment when dealing with the public and when making decisions in the absence of leadership.
• Ability to effectively train and mentor others.

Education and Experience Required

• Candidates with or working towards CPDT, IAABC or other professional certification in animal behavior/training strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year dog training/handling experience required.
• Expertise in cat training/behavior desirable.
• At least 1 year experience working/volunteering in an animal shelter or similar setting preferred, including experience evaluating the behavior of dogs.
• Demonstrable knowledge of current animal welfare issues.
• Fear free certification highly desirable (required within first 90 days).
• Must be comfortable handling reptiles, birds, farm animals, equines and other species.
• High School diploma required.
• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record required.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Potential for standing/walking/bending up to eight to ten (8-10) hours a day.
• Must be able to performing physical tasks like animal restraint, physical examinations of animals, scrubbing cages, cleaning floors and more.
• Must have quick reflexes and ability to use both hands simultaneously (example: open cage door while handling animal, react to escaping animal).
• Occasional lifting of up to a hundred (100) pounds with assistance.
• Ability to bend and squat in order to leash/harness, and/or pick up an animal.
• Ability to see well enough to move safely around the building, distinguish animal body language, read instructions, and read an animal’s paperwork.
• Ability to hear if an animal is giving warning signs, such as growling, yelping or hissing.
• Must not have strong allergies to dogs, cats or other companion animals that can’t be managed by medication, or to chemicals used in grooming or cleaning. Must not be highly allergic to peanuts/ peanut products including peanut butter, dairy/meat products, or grains, etc, (used in animal feed).
• Exposure to high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, and animal bites/scratches when handling animals.
• Exposure to all weather conditions when outdoors.

McKamey Animal Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We reserve the right conduct criminal background checks and requires drug testing of all employment candidates.

The Medical Care Specialist is tasked with helping the Veterinary and Animal Care teams at McKamey Animal Center ensure that animals are properly vaccinated, medicated, and receive other necessary veterinary attention. They also support vaccine clinics and other services for the general public, and may assist the Veterinary team with other activities. Day-to-day responsibilities typically include performing examinations on incoming animals and providing vaccinations; preparing and distributing medications to sheltered animals; and serving as a liaison between MAC’s Veterinary Team and the Animal Care Team to ensure that animal medical needs are being met.

SALARY AND SCHEDULE

· Hourly Rate: $16.00

· Schedule: Flexible, weekends and evening work likely

· Benefits: Medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, holidays, retirement plan, Paid Time Off

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (includes, but not limited to):

· Perform examinations of incoming animals and ensure that they are properly vaccinated.

· Ensure that medications for sheltered animals are accurately and timely administered.

· Ensure that all relevant data input and paperwork is completed, and that charts and log sheets are accurately maintained.

· Provide ongoing support to animal care and animal services staff to ensure that animal medical needs are appropriately identified, recorded and addressed.

· Assist in treatment of Center animals by performing and documenting routine health checks, including drawing and processing diagnostic work; identifying, properly documenting and treating common medical conditions, as prescribed by a veterinarian; and properly assessing and following written protocols for ill/injured animals while providing supportive care.

· Support community outreach activities like vaccine/microchip clinics as assigned, assuring the highest quality animal care and customer service support.

· Communicate effectively and compassionately with other staff, supervisors and the general public, and ensure the highest standards of professionalism and customer service whenever interacting with others.

· Work closely with MAC veterinary, animal services and animal care staff to ensure the highest standards of animal health, welfare and lifesaving.

· Perform humane euthanasia in accordance with shelter standards, as required

· Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications and Skills

● Strong animal handling skills and demonstrated understanding of basic animal health, care and welfare issues.

● Ability to safely and humanely medicate animals.

● Ability to appropriately and ethically manage and disseminate prescribed veterinary drugs.

● Computer savvy.

● Ability to maintain composure in an often stressful and emotional work environment.

● Ability to make sound judgments and work independently and in a team setting in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands.

● Proven organizational skills and attention to detail, and effective record keeping ability.

● Ability to relate to and confer with Veterinarians, shelter leadership, co-workers and the general public in a positive and constructive manner at all times; ability to exercise good judgment when dealing with the public and when making decisions in the absence of leadership.

Education and Experience Required

● High School diploma required.

● Minimum of 2 years of work experience in an animal shelter, veterinary practice or similar setting required.

● Formal veterinary assistance/technician training strongly preferred.

● Demonstrated proficiency in animal medical care, including drawing blood, administering vaccinations and medications, and safely securing animals for veterinary procedures.

● Fear free certification highly desirable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

● Potential for standing/walking/bending up to eight to ten (8-10) hours a day.

● Must be able to performing physical tasks like animal restraint, physical examinations of animals, scrubbing cages, cleaning floors and more.

● Must be proficient in handling syringes and needles.

● Must have quick reflexes and ability to use both hands simultaneously (example: open cage door while handling animal, react to escaping animal).

● Occasional lifting of up to a hundred (100) pounds with assistance.

● Ability to bend and squat in order to leash/harness, and/or pick up an animal.

● Ability to see well enough to move safely around the building, distinguish animal body language, read instructions, and read an animal’s paperwork.

● Ability to hear if an animal is giving warning signs, such as growling, yelping or hissing.

● Ability to effectively communicate verbally.

● Ability to cope with a very loud environment due to animal noises.

● Must not have strong allergies to dogs, cats or other companion animals that can’t be managed by medication, or to chemicals used in grooming or cleaning. Must not be highly allergic to peanut butter.

● Ability to deal with strong and unpleasant odors and feces.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

● Exposure to high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, and animal bites/scratches when handling animals.

● Exposure to all weather conditions when outdoors.

McKamey Animal Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We reserve the right conduct criminal background checks and requires drug testing of all employment candidates.