Community Outreach Veterinary Assistant

Mountain Humane (in Hailey, Idaho) is on a mission to enrich the quality of life in our community by saving animals and changing lives. We do this through innovative programs that inspire and have impact beyond southern Idaho. The first “no-kill” shelter in the state of Idaho (in 1999), annually we help more than 4,500 animals and touch the lives of more than 7,000 people through our programs. We are proud to be a model for other animal welfare organizations and to be at the forefront of best-practices in nonprofit management.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Community Outreach Associate provides support for the Outreach programs.  This includes the Pets For Life (PFL), Community PAWS, and Shelter Outreach programs. This position will be responsible for the meeting of clients and transport of pets for the Outreach programs.  This position will provide surgery transport on a weekly basis and help with database management for the programs.

Classification: Part Time, Non-Exempt

Manager: Access to Care Manager

Collaborates with: Veterinary Clinic Staff

Office Location: Hailey, Idaho

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidate should live in Twin Falls County, preferred

Should have a minimum of a high school diploma. Bachelor’s degree and previous experience in animal-related or non-profit settings preferred

 

Must work well with the public, including persons of varied racial, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual preference, and with individuals who are differently-abled

 

Must demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills and have the ability to work well in a team and independently

 

Must have strong administrative skills, be highly organized, motivated and remain flexible under pressure. Attention to detail and ability to organize and set priorities a must

 

Must be computer proficient, including working knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Office (especially Word & Excel), and be able to learn new programs quickly

 

Must be comfortable driving large vehicles and be in possession of a good driving record

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Proactive Outreach

• Communicate and listen with tact and empathy
• Provide information on the support mechanisms offered by Mountain Humane
• Facilitate getting animals signed up for services
• Work cooperatively with all clients and make decisions based on what is best for the animals and people we encounter

 

Spay and Neuter Services

• Facilitate in the transport of all spay/neuter surgeries and veterinary appointments
• Provide information on pre and post-surgery expectations for clients
• Work effectively with clients in order to meet their needs and lessen their fears

 

Reactive Outreach

• Assist with post-surgery follow up calls
• Work with new clients and give information on services we offer
• Meet weekly with Access to Care Manager to clarify weekly needs and expectation

Administrative Duties

• Enter client and animal data accurately and in a timely manner into ShelterLuv
• Schedule appointments, client transportation, and data transfers
• Provide necessary supplies for clients
• Achieve goals at set forth by each program
• Abide by Pets for Life expectations in terms of number of pets and people served

Community Paws Program

• Provide necessary supplies for clients within the program

 

Veterinary Clinic and Medical Team

• Assist Shelter Veterinarian(s) with monitoring, and recovering animal’s post-surgery, and cleaning equipment
• Assist Veterinary Technician and Veterinarian with examinations, medical procedures, and other duties
• Work with Clinic Staff to maintain all surgical and medical equipment
• Ensure adequate stock of surgical supplies including clean surgery packs are available for surgery each day
• Assist Shelter Veterinarian with surgeries by preparing, monitoring, and recovering animals including documentation of anesthetic monitoring
• Ensure maintenance and cleanliness of medical/surgical center, including cleaning medical instruments and clinic and isolation kennels
• Assist the Clinic Manager in ensuring all needed Inventory is stocked and available for use; communicate shortages or items out of stock
• Ensure maintenance and cleanliness of the Veterinary Clinic and the Isolation Suites

 

Shelter Population Health

• Assist veterinary team in processing and care of all animals, including impounds
• Follow proper cleaning protocols, both in the Veterinary Clinic and in the Isolation Suites
• Provide care to all animals housed in the Veterinary Clinic and Isolation Suites, including: food, water, cleaning, medications, and social interaction/enrichment
• Assist Shelter Veterinarian, Clinic Manager, and Medical Team in processing all animals
• Assists in ensuring all in-house treatments are performed as directed
• Take and document vitals of any animals as directed by Shelter Veterinarian
• Have a thorough knowledge of vaccination protocols for the Shelter
• Assist Veterinary Technicians and Veterinarians with public services; appointment, clinical work ups, spay/neuter
• Assist with all public clinic “Tech” appointments; nail trims, anal gland expressions, shave/groom appointments
• In cooperation with the kennel staff and management, monitor in-house animals on a regular basis and notify Clinic Manager and Shelter Veterinarian(s) of any animal with a suspected medical problem
• When outside veterinary care is required, transport animal(s) to and from Clinic to outside facilities
• At no time give veterinary medical advice or services to animals of staff, volunteers, or the public without consulting a Veterinarian and/or Clinic Manager

Shelter Programs, Events, and Community Education

• Be familiar with general shelter policies, procedures, programs, events, and history
• Answer customer and adopter questions regarding current medications or ailments as appropriate, and/or relay questions to appropriate Medical Team staff

 

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must maintain a neat and well-groomed personal appearance
• Wear supplied uniforms and closed toed shoes
• Comply with all safety protocols
• Indoors and outdoors, including in shelter environment with dogs, cats, and pocket pets
  • While animal handling is not generally required, there will likely be regular contact with animals; while all adoptable animals have health and behavior screening, by nature of the industry, there may be occasional exposure to dead, injured, sick, unruly, vicious, and/or dangerous animals in addition to possible exposure to parasites and infectious diseases
• Interactions with children who may or may not be well-behaved, occasional contact with the public in an emotionally charged environment
• Some evening and weekend hours will be required
• Requires regular driving of company vehicles. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and good driving record. Drivers information will be submitted to the carrier.:
  • Regular use driving of company vehicles; employee’s must be at least the age of 18.
  • Occasional use driving of company vehicles; employees under the age of 18 must be preapproved by the carrier
• May include vehicle travel back and forth to venues
• Work day includes walking, standing, sitting, bending, squatting, lifting (occasionally up to 50 lbs), answering telephones, and using a computer

 

HOURS, SALARY & BENEFITS:

Hours:  Part-Time position, average of 25 hours per week, to be determined with supervisor. Occasional nights and weekends may be required for special events. Certain times of the year are busier and may require more time.

 

Wage Range: $19.87 - $26.89/hour, depending on experience, proficiency in job tasks, and ability to work cooperatively while fostering the organization's mission and values.

 

Benefits:  Mountain Humane offers a comprehensive benefits package for all full-time employees, including:

• Generous paid time off allotment for vacation and personal reasons
• 100% employer paid medical and vision insurance for staff (with the option of upgrading the plan for a small contribution)
• 100% employer paid dental insurance plan through Delta Dental
• 100% employer paid life insurance policy
• Access to a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% matching employer contribution
• Access to reduced cost veterinary care and pet supplies (including dog/cat food) for all employee-owned pets
• An annual personal pet care allowance for veterinary products and services
• A 40% discount at The Barkin’ thrift store in Hailey, and
• A 20% off of a membership to the YMCA.

Mountain Humane also provides funding for professional development opportunities and financial assistance for commuting employees. For employees with federal student loans, Mountain Humane is also a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program!

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work

performed by this position, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required.  Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Either employer or employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without notice and with or without cause.