Animal Care Supervisor

POSITION SUMMARY

The Animal Care Supervisor position is a crucial role at Pets In Need. Our Animal Care Team is responsible for the wellbeing of the animals in our care. The supervisor will work side by side with staff and volunteers to complete animal care technician duties, while managing work flow, assigning tasks to animal care staff and volunteers, conducting team huddle(s), scheduling staff breaks, monitoring calendars, animal movements, training staff and volunteers, maintaining animal care equipment and supplies, participating in the creation and development of departmental standard operating procedures, and lead collaboration with other departments and between the two locations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

·         Follow established procedures governing safe work practices; to perform duties in a manner which assures the safety of the animals, oneself, and others.

·         Provide daily care, feedings, exercise, and enrichment for Pets In Need's shelter animals.

·         Clean and maintain animal living areas, animal bedding & furniture, all animal/shelter equipment, staff, and public areas.

·         Observe shelter animals for any unusual symptoms that may be indicative of a medical or behavioral problem, document observations and report to proper channels.

·         Medicate animals as instructed.

·         Speak to the public about personalities and traits to help facilitate adoptions.

·         Crosstrain at both Pets In Need locations.

·         Always treat people and animals with respect, contribute to effective teamwork, promote staff cooperation, and foster public relations beneficial to Pet’s In Need.

·         Help facilitate the preparations for animals being transported to other locations, off-site appointments or to the wildlife center.

·         Work cooperatively with volunteers and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to PIN.

·         Collaborate with Foster Coordinators to house animals returning from foster.

·         Perform other duties as assigned by the manager.

ESSENTIAL SUPERVISOR DUTIES

·         Promote respectful communication, care for one another, accountability, and collaboration between PIN’s teams at all locations.

·         Oversee the daily cleaning and care for all animal areas including common shelter areas and exterior of the shelter.

·         Collaborate with Animal Care Manger, Behavior Manager, Principal of Veterinary Medicine to implement and maintain high-quality care and enrichment programs for Pets in Need’s animals.

·         Ensure that the animal care department is represented in shelter rounds, animal movements meetings, shelter ops meetings, department meetings, and general all staff meetings.

·         Collaborate with Animal Care Manager to train and mentor, all animal care technicians and volunteers how to safely navigate the shelter, how to properly care for and safely handle Pets in Need’s animals.

·         Initiate and conduct daily team huddle(s) onsite or virtually.

·         Assign animal care technicians to jobs/daily tasks necessary to achieve optimal department efficiency.

·         Maintain all animal care equipment and collaborate with Animal Care Manager and Facilities Manager for routine maintenance/repair of equipment.

·         Establish and maintain organization of supplies and equipment to optimize use of limited space, maximize convenience and efficiency for staff, and emphasize consistency for animal care staff who work at both locations.

·         Field questions regarding acceptance of donated animal care supplies, or equipment, and ensure proper handling & storage of donated items.

·         Collaborate with Shelter Supervisors to maintain the appropriate volume of supplies needed to care for Pets in Need’s animals.

·         Collaborate with fellow RVT Supervisors and Shelter Supervisors to maximize efficiency and consistency of processes at all PIN locations.

·         Ensure staff compliance with completion of daily report cards.

·         Collect and report departmental data as directed.

·         Attend Quality of Life (QOL) meetings.

·         Collaborate with Animal Care Manager to find solutions to address any operational concerns.

·         Collaborate with Animal Care Manager with the creation or updating of standard operating procedures.  

·         Provide excellent customer service to visitors.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

·         Ability to stand, bend, twist, stoop, push and pull, climb stairs, reach, and lift up to 50 lbs.

·         Frequently twist, bend, stoop, squat, kneel.

·         No allergic conditions that would be aggravated when animals are present in the workplace.

·         Ability to lift and move objects or animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances.

·         Safely and humanely restrain animals.

·         Ability to walk and handle large dogs up to 100lbs as well as socialize with cats and rabbits.

COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS

·         Must be able to effectively read, write, and express information verbally in English and Spanish.

·         Ability to comprehend and follow written and/or verbal instructions.

·         Communicate with the public and co-workers in a pleasant, courteous, and tactful manner at all times.

WORKING CONDITIONS

·         Schedule will be Thursday-Monday from 7:00am – 3:30pm in Palo Alto and Redwood City.

·         Hours: Daily reporting hours and days of the week can vary according to the needs of the shelter. Shifts start as early as 6AM and end as late as 7:30PM. Weekend and holiday work will be required. Punctuality and Attendance are critical to this position.

·         Ability to travel between Redwood City and Palo Alto locations.

·         Climbing stairs may be necessary.

·         Regular sitting at computer stations and operation of electronic equipment.

·         Frequent lifting, carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

·         Exposure to disinfectant solutions, x-ray radiation, and anesthetic gases.

·         Potentially subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals.

·         Exposure to contagious and/or zoonotic diseases.

·         Consistent exposure to animals and animal allergens with limited alternatives available.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS

·         High school diploma or equivalent.

·         A minimum of 2 years experience caring for animals in a professional setting.

·         A minimum of 2 years experience in leading a team.

·         Must have and maintain a valid California driver's license with a good driving record.

·         Experience handling or caring for a variety of exotics a plus!

·         Fear Free Shelter certification is required but can be obtained after start of employment.

·         Be comfortable and skilled in working with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and community.

·         Affection for animals, concern for their welfare and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.

·         Must understand and support Pets In Need's No Kill mission.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, QUALITIES

·         Ability to communicate in English and Spanish, both verbal and written.

·         Commitment to PIN’s mission and vision.

·         Excellent customer service skills.

·         Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

·         Growth mindset: able to acquire knowledge, learn new skills, and embrace and foster change.

·         Self-motivated, able to initiate and complete tasks alone or as part of a team.

·         Computer proficiency, including shelter software, scheduling software, and Microsoft Office.

·         Knowledge of normal cat and dog behavior.

·         Knowledge of low stress handling and restraint techniques.

·         Familiarity with veterinary terminology and abbreviations.

·         Able to successfully work with colleagues who represent a diversity of work, conflict resolution styles, and cultural and community backgrounds.

·         Willingness to follow all safety guidelines, model safe work practices, and take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, customer, animal, or the organization at risk.

BENEFITS

·         Competitive hourly wage

·         Outstanding benefits package including: Employer-matching retirement plan. Holidays, Vacation and Sick Time. Medical, Dental and Vision coverage

·         Pets In Need provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability.

·         Status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

·         This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

·         Consistent with its obligations under the law, Pets In Need will provide reasonable accommodation to any

·         employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.