What are the responsibilities and job description for the Friends for Life Program Assistant position at Humane Society of Huron Valley?
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Friends for Life Program Assistant
Hours: Part Time, requires some weekend and evening availability
Supervisor: Vice President of Volunteers and Humane Education
Classification: Non-Exempt, Hourly
SUMMARY
The Friends for Life Program Assistant will work in conjunction with the Vice President of Volunteers and Humane Education and the Friends for Life Coordinator on execution of a service program focused on the Animal Welfare needs of our community. This program will require working with multiple teams within HSHV to deliver services. Successful development and execution of this program is expected to result in the increased wellbeing, retention, and quality of adult relationships with their companion animals.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The ideal program assistant will have relevant experience in program implementation. They must demonstrate cultural sensitivity and understanding to the social, economic, cultural, and other barriers that impact vulnerable populations from accessing animal welfare services and achieving successful outcomes. This person must also be able to effectively manage his/her time in fast-paced, high-stress environment. It requires strong customer service and presentation skills, attention to detail, and excellent problem solving skills. Preferred experience in trauma informed card and deescalation skills. The ideal candidate will have excellent and demonstrated verbal and written communication skills as well as demonstrated public speaking skills. Multi-lingual a plus. Reliable transportation is required for travel within the community and state. Experience working with animals is very helpful.
An animal care facility can be an emotionally challenging, high-stress, rapidly changing, and high-demand environment. Feelings of grief and loss, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue are not uncommon. As such, working at HSHV requires a high degree of emotional regulation and resilience; the ability to tolerate and manage stress; adaptability to change; empathy for both animals and people; and an overall positive outlook.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work directly with Vice President of Volunteers and Humane Education and Friends for Life Coordinator to implement the Friends for Life social program being offered by HSHV to help older adults, the unhoused community, those experiencing financial insecurity and their pets.
- Implement programs such as Treasured Tails, Bingo, educational presentations and in-home pet support services for clients.
- Deliver materials to community locations such as pet food, pet supplies and educational materials.
- Assist with program communication, both externally and internally.
- Perform hands on service, which may include animal handling, transportation, and cleanup.
- Interact with community to help determine areas where services are needed.
- Assist with Bountiful Bowls program implementation including client interactions, services and program enrollment.
- Help provide ideas for improving all areas of program, including operational, financial, and marketing issues
- Respond to questions, concerns, and information requests regarding the program.
- Schedule, prepare for and deliver in community programs.
- Work alongside volunteers and be able to give directives in a professional and respectful manner.
- Be a model of great customer service, both externally and internally. Ensure the public’s questions (including but not limited to advocacy queries) are answered courteously, accurately and professionally. Handle customer problems and complaints, working to deescalate emotional situations, and make serious problems and incidences known to the organization’s leadership. Courteously support and assist staff and volunteers with their questions and concerns.
- Other duties as assigned.
General
- Be an effective liaison to the community, positively promoting HSHV’s mission, goals and philosophies.
- Keep abreast of best practices in related areas and make recommendations regarding program improvements and new program elements.
- Respond to needs with the proper sense of urgency. Meet deadlines as assigned.
- Work effectively and sensitively with a diverse population of customers, volunteers and staff; and respond to the needs and concerns of a diverse socioeconomic community.
- Read email on a daily basis and respond as appropriate.
- Keep informed of and abide by agency policies and procedures, including confidentiality of clients.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing this job, you will be required to continually walk, stand, squat, twist, and kneel, reach and grab with your hands and arms, in addition to being able to lift and move animals, materials and equipment weighing 60 lbs or more. You will need to be able to use a computer keyboard, mouse, monitor and telephone. This position requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing. Work is subject to frequent interruptions. You will be exposed to kennel/shelter setting, both indoors and outdoors. You will be exposed to disinfectant solutions used in cleaning. You will be consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens, including animal hair, dander, saliva, fecal matter, urine, zoonotic diseases, fleas and other mites or bugs. You may also be subject to potential danger including parasites and infectious diseases, animal bites and scratches.
MENTAL DEMANDS
While performing this job, you will be regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; observe and interpret situations; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information and skills; perform repetitive work on multiple, concurrent tasks; fulfill intensive deadlines; and interact with staff, the public, volunteers and others encountered in the course of work. This job also requires innovation and ability to think on the fly, as well as the ability to find creative solutions to unforeseen issues that arise.
Please note: This job description reflects the assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The Humane Society of Huron Valley is an at-will employer
Ideally looking at Sunday through Thursday, approximately 5 hours per day, but we can potentially be flexible.
Salary : $18 - $20