Animal Welfare Lead

Title: Animal Welfare Lead  

Department:  Animal Welfare                                         

This position reports to:  Animal Welfare Dog Supervisor                         

The schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday from 7:00am-4:00pm.                                                           

Purpose of Position:  Support health and well-being of all animals under the care of the Nebraska Humane Society (NHS).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees are required to follow any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise and does not alter the “at‐will” relationship.

• Ensure sanitation of all dog housing areas is completed daily and according to standard operating procedures. 
• Ensure laundry and dishes are done daily.
• Assist with training of new Animal Welfare dog staff.
• Point person for BMI cleaning staff. 
• Provide on-going mentoring and training of Animal Welfare staff.
• Perform daily change over list and determine the current status of all shelter animals.
• Maintain overall cleanliness of sheltering areas including hallways and storage areas.
• Assist with scheduling of dog staff.
• Properly prepare and submit animals for rabies testing.  
• Perform humane euthanasia by injection. 
  1. Check and enter paperwork in preparation for euthanasia.
  2. Assist with and/or perform daily euthanasia’s.
  3. Loading of deceased animals into the crematorium.
  4. Cleaning of the crematorium and cooler. 
• Be able to perform all dog staff duties in the Animal Welfare department.
• Ensure Animal Welfare employees are implementing behavior and kennel enrichment programs daily.
• Assist in the training of volunteers and interns.
• Ensure a positive work environment in which employees feel appreciated.
• Lead Animal Welfare staff in the absence of supervisor
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications: Education, Experience, Certification, and Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Required

• High school Diploma or GED.
• Previous experience in an animal welfare agency such as a vet office, animal shelter, etc. 
• Display affection and compassion for animals and concern for their welfare.
• Must adhere to highest ethical standards: possess trustworthiness, exercise maturity and sound judgment while maintaining a professional manner and personal appearance. 
• Be comfortable and skilled working with a culturally diverse staff and community.
• Must be considerate, respectful and display a helpful demeanor to all employees, volunteers, and customers.
• Must be able to work cordially, safely and efficiently in fast-paced, stressful conditions. 
• Must possess the ability to cope with loss of animal life from illness, injury and euthanasia.
• Must be able to manage the emotional aspect of end of life services and humane euthanasia, and support employees in high-emotion circumstances.
• Must exhibit the organization core values of compassion for all animals, respect and dignity for all, strive for excellence, and teamwork. 
• Ability to safely and humanely handle animals.
• Ability to respectfully give and receive feedback.
• Ability to work independently and part of a team. 
• Ability to work in close proximity of others. 
• Ability to work around all types of animals without allergic reaction.
• Ability to be self-directed and self-motivated.
• Ability to be flexible and resilient in ever changing conditions. 
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Familiarity with Microsoft operating systems and computer literate in Microsoft Office.

Desired

• Previous experience using an animal sheltering computer program such as Chameleon. 
• Associates degree in a Science related field. 
• Certification in euthanasia by injection. 

Work Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions within the work environment.

• Minimum 40 hours per week; will routinely exceed 40 hours during a majority of the year. Rotating holiday work schedule required. Evening and weekend hours may be necessary in the event of an emergency, staffing shortages or a special event.
• On-call hours may be required.
• The noise level in the office environment is usually quiet, though barking or whining of animals may be escalated at certain times in certain areas of the building.
• High exposure to animals whose reactions to the shelter environment cannot be predicted.
• Temperatures in the shelter environment are varied, though usually moderate, and dependent on the season. 
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases and hazardous chemicals.
• Ability to work around animals without severe allergic reaction.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

The Nebraska Humane Society provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, status as a veteran, or any other protected category, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. 

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.