Animal Care Specialist

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial. We employ a total of 200+ employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion.

Job Summary

Apply procedures and policies to provide for the daily needs of all animals. Serve as the lead in the euthanasia process and trainer for Animal Care staff. Perform all duties of the Animal Care Tech I position. Work cohesively with co-workers, other departments and volunteers. Assist the public in a professional manner.

1) Train new employees and provide guidance/retraining to employees that may be struggling in accordance with HSPPR Animal Care training protocols.

2) Perform euthanasia in a humane, respectful manner in compliance with HSPPR Protocol which is based on recommendations from nationally-recognized animal welfare organizations

3) Assist multiple departments as needed and available. Main assistance will be provided in Animal Care and as time allows hospital.

The Animal Care Specialist shares in the responsibility for controlling and organizing department productivity, accuracy, maintenance of a positive and professional culture, and for overall output of the department. The Animal Care Specialist will act as an informal leader in the absences of the Animal Care Supervisor. This position is not responsible for providing any form of disciplinary action. The Animal Care Specialist is responsible for providing feedback to the Animal Care Supervisor and to the Operations Manager for further review, consideration and action.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Commitment to the mission, vision, goals and success of HSPPR

• Handle all animals in the most humane manner possible

• Perform euthanasia of animals, perform body care in accordance with euthanasia protocol

• Assist Customer Service with transport of owner requested euthanasia animals

• Train new employees and provide guidance/retraining to employees that may be struggling

• Assist with cross training

• Keep training manuals up to date

• Update animal records in computer system

• Perform all Animal Care Technician duties as assigned

• Ensure animals are fed appropriate food in the correct quantity

• Clean and disinfect kennels, cages and when necessary stalls following established protocol

• Wash dishes, complete laundry duties, clean and maintain these areas following proper procedure and proper equipment use

• Maintain equipment used in these procedures

• Restock all items that are used daily in the kennel area

• Maintain food storage, chemical storage, laundry room and food prep area in a clean, uncluttered and sanitary manner

• Communicate with customers, volunteers and co-workers in a professional, courteous and calm manner at all times

• Check inventory of animals daily to ensure correct animal, correct id collar, correct kennel card, report any unresolved discrepancies to Team Leader, Asst. Manager or Shelter Manager

• Move animal(s) as needed and ensure computer record and kennel cards are updated and re-printed

• Participate in activities that improve animals' wellbeing while in HSPPR's care

• Communicate issues and concerns to supervisors

• Participate in staff meetings

• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Duties

None

Physical Demands

• Regularly sits at computer station.

• Must be able to lift, push, and pull a minimum of forty pounds with reasonable accommodations.

• Must be able to be on feet for extended periods of time.

• Typically stands, bends, stoops and crouches.

• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.

• Periodically drives a HSPPR Vehicle to perform duties

Schedule Requirements

Schedule will include weekend and holiday work.

Education/Experience Necessary

Prior shelter, vet assistant or CVT, prior work experience training other employees and or volunteers is desired; Euthanasia By Injection certification by an accredited source is desired.

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• • Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect, and compassion.

• • Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.

• • Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.

• • Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation, and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.

• • Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.

• • Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.