What are the responsibilities and job description for the Part-Time Pet Care & Enrichment Specialist position at City of Burlington NC?
About us:
Burlington Animal Services provides animal sheltering services for all of Alamance County and its municipalities with an annual pet save rate that exceeds 90%. Our programs and services also include a stand-alone public low-cost community spay/neuter & wellness clinic, a field services division that serves the City of Burlington, pet help support services programming, an innovative and holistic community cat program, a robust volunteer program, a development and fundraising program, internship opportunities for college students, and much more. We enjoy positive, strong, and collaborative relationships with many non-profit organizations, local businesses, local governments, and other community partners. Our agency is a modern, high-performing Animal Services agency and an industry leader in our state.
What you will do:
This position reports to the Operation Manager and is responsible for providing daily direct care and behavioral enrichment of pets at the Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption & Resource Center. This position is also responsible for routine facility cleaning and maintenance, assisting customers and visitors, and working with volunteers. The position requires a basic knowledge of animal health and welfare, excellent animal handling skills, excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, orientation to detail and organization, basic record keeping, and great time management skills.
- Behavioral Enrichment: Provide pets with prescribed activities to enhance their well-being.
- Facility Maintenance: Clean and maintain animal enclosures, general facility areas, equipment, instruments, and toys.
- Health Monitoring: Observe and report changes in animal health or behavior to veterinary staff.
- Animal Handling: Manage animals of varying dispositions during examinations, procedures, exercise, and enrichment.
- Examinations & Treatments: Assist veterinary staff with animal care and medical procedures.
- Medication Administration: Administer prescribed vaccinations and medications.
- Feeding: Provide food according to feeding schedules and special diet requirements.
- Intake Assessments: Perform initial health and behavior evaluations of admitted animals to identify potential concerns.
- Visitor Assistance: Support visitors with pet admissions, lost pet recovery, pet help programs, and pet placement.
- Animal Identification: Photograph admitted animals and scan for microchips to ensure proper identification.
- Communication: Collaborate with staff, volunteers, and placement partners through oral and written communication.
- Perform other related tasks as assigned to support animal care and facility operations.
- Best Practices: In-depth knowledge of modern practices in animal sheltering, humane care, handling, welfare, behavior, enrichment, housing, and care.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with laws, codes, and regulations related to animal welfare.
- Animal Handling: Proficiency in caring for and handling animals, including administering medications, vaccinations, and providing behavioral enrichment.
- Stress Management: Ability to manage and respond to emotional stress in self and others while maintaining professional boundaries and prioritizing self-care.
- Professional Interaction: Strong skills in communicating effectively with co-workers and the public.
- Team Collaboration: Maintain positive, collaborative, and harmonious relationships with co-workers, volunteers, and others.
- Record Keeping: Competence in completing and maintaining digital files, records, and forms.
- Policy Adherence: Ability to read, interpret, and follow departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Technology Use: Knowledge and basic skills in email and modern office technology.
- Flexibility: Adapt to changing priorities, assignments, and interruptions with ease.
- Resilience: Exhibit resilience in stressful situations and a willingness to embrace change.
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Valid Driver’s License
- Fear Free © Certification (within first 6 months of employment)
- Previous animal care experience in professional animal welfare settings.
- Handle animals that are sick or injured, frightened or dangerous, or who may display unpredictable behavior. Individuals must be able to lift up to 75 pounds.
- Stand, sit, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl to inspect and/or clean shelter enclosures.
- Must be able to lift, carry, and restrain animals and operate vehicles and equipment.
- Work requires exposure to potentially hazardous conditions such as aggressive animals and zoonotic diseases.
- Work in this position is primarily performed indoors.
Salary : $17 - $27