Forensic Animal Caretaker

Houston Humane Society (HHS) Veterinary Forensic Department is searching for a Forensic Animal Caretaker (FACT). This individual will be passionate about delivering high-quality care for animals who have been victims of cruelty and neglect, and thrive in a fast-paced, team environment. The HHS Veterinary Forensic Department is dedicated to rehabilitating dogs and cats who have suffered physical and emotional trauma and to delivering medical and behavioral interventions to prepare them for adoption.

FACTs support the behavioral and medical recovery and rehabilitation of animals by providing medical treatments and behavioral enrichment. FACTs interact with animals during their recovery to detect potential problems or changes in their medical or behavioral progress and communicate those effectively to clinical professionals, administer medications, provide daily care, engage in behavioral enrichment activities, and document/maintain records of all activities. One of the most critical functions of this role is serving as a member of a team dedicated to working together to provide holistic care for all animals in our care.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Behavior:

• Engage in behavioral and emotional enrichment activities, following enrichment program protocols. Encourage healthy behaviors and interactions throughout, and reward animals appropriately.
• Exercise and socialize animals under the direction of the Forensic Veterinarians. Abide by existing dog-walking protocols and observe and report reactions with environmental events or human/animal interactions, and/or problems/changes in urination or defecation habits.
• Feed animals, provide clean water, and ensure a clean environment while interacting with animals to encourage and promote healthy behaviors. Detect, log, and report to the medical team any irregularities or changes in animal nutrition, hydration, or behaviors. Observing animals during these interactions is vital to recognizing medical and behavioral changes/abnormalities early, maximizing the efficacy of potential treatments.
• Monitor the comfort of shelter animals, looking for any signs of distress, anxiety, or physical ailments. Maintain the cleanliness of both animal enclosures and other workspaces that facilitate the arrival of new animals.

Medical:

• Ensure the welfare of animals in our care by attending to their physical and emotional health and comfort, following all HHS Veterinary Forensic Department protocols.
• Follow all kennel signage and treatment sheets regarding animal treatment and care.
• Under the guidance of the Forensic Veterinarians, administer medication and medical treatments in a low stress manner, following all medication administration protocols.
• Recognize potential medical issues and communicate effectively with the Forensic Veterinarians so that they can quickly and effectively attend to animals.
• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and our volunteers.

Team Support:

• Accurately keep and record medical and behavior observations. Send timely updates to the Forensic Veterinarians and the rest of the medical team.
• Work in partnership with other teams within the HHS Shelter to continually develop knowledge, and support continuity of care for the animals.
• Integrate volunteers into daily care, providing guidance and coaching as needed; demonstrate respect and gratitude for volunteer support.
• Attend and participate in team meetings and training classes as scheduled.

Exemplifies the Houston Humane Society’s Mission Statement: The Houston Humane Society is dedicated to, and working towards, ending cruelty, abuse and the overpopulation of animals while providing the highest quality of life to those brought to us for care.

Qualifications:

· Ability to walk, bend, stand, and reach repetitively during a minimum 8-hour day.

· Ability to lift 50 lbs.

· Ability to work closely with behaviorally and medically compromised animals and feel comfortable working in an environment where euthanasia is performed.

· Able to safely walk and handle dogs 100 lbs or over.

· Always treats people and animals with care and respect; must be a compassionate caregiver for animals and have a genuine interest in working with a team.

· Basic computer skills.

· Communicate clearly, verbally and in writing.

· Ability to demonstrate regular and reliable attendance.

· Excellent organizational skills.

· Team player and willingness to adjust schedule if operations require.

· Previous experience in the detection of common medical ailments, and the stress-free administration of topical and orally administered medications

· Previous experience working in a shelter and/or veterinary setting with compromised animals

Language:

English (Required)

Spanish (Beneficial)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $14.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Application Question(s):

• Are you able to lift to 50 pounds?
• Are you able to walk, bend, stand, and reach repetitively during a minimum 8-hour day
• Are you able to work closely with behaviorally and medically compromised animals?
• Are you able to safely walk and handle dogs 100 lbs or over?

Experience:

• working with animals: 1 year (Required)
• animal shelter or veterinary setting: 2 years (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Houston, TX 77053: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person