Birthday Party Host (Part-Time)

Reports to Manager of Humane Education

The Richmond SPCA is a non-profit organization located in the heart of Richmond, Virginia. As a leader in the field of animal welfare, we are cultivating a community committed to saving, protecting and enriching animal lives with a mission to provide education and resources to achieve and sustain a no-kill community. Annually, we rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for about 4,000 homeless animals while also providing our region with vital safety net programs designed to keep thousands of pets in loving homes and out of shelters. Our values of collaboration, creativity, honesty, inclusion and respect guide not only what we do – but how we do it.

Birthday Party Hosts are independent, dependable, creative people who love working with children to host birthday parties at the Richmond SPCA. No birthday party host experience is necessary, but experience working with children is strongly preferred.

Essential Functions

• Party preparation and setup in the Richmond SPCA’s Exploratorium
• Supervise party attendees
• Lead birthday party activities and educational programs
• Communicate professionally and courteously with parents and guardians
• Clean up the Exploratorium party space at the conclusion of each party
• Other related duties as assigned

Qualifications, Skills and Expectations

• Alignment with the Richmond SPCA’s mission to achieve and sustain a no-kill community – including promoting pet adoption and spaying/neutering – and to utilizing reward-based, positive reinforcement (R ) training methods
• Effective, professional, and empathetic customer service skills and communication (written and verbal) with the public, volunteers, and all Richmond SPCA employees
• Self-motivated, organized and enthusiastic
• Strong work ethic, reliability, punctuality
• Ability to multi-task, follow directions (written and verbal), adapt, and accommodate changing demands productively
• Public speaking skills

• Availability during the day on weekends and on some weeknights
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Reliable transportation
• 18 years of age or older
• Successful completion of a background check
• Comfort handling and learning to handle dogs and cats (petting, leash-walking, some lifting and carrying, placing pets in carriers)

Physical Job Requirements

• Able to work around animals (including those who are sick or injured or who have behavior challenges), loud noises, cat litter, animal waste, and various chemicals
• Able to be on your feet for up to 8 hours at a time
• Able to routinely lift 40-50 lbs.
• Able to push/pull a large cart
• Able to stoop and use your arms in a repetitive manner
• Have physical strength to perform cleaning duties effectively and efficiently

Work Environment

• Supportive, collaborative environment that encourages and celebrates creativity and resourcefulness
• Rapid pace with limited exposure to potential hazards including animal waste and disinfectants
• High levels of noise at times
• Potential for animal bites and scratches and zoonotic disease (transmitted from animals to people)

Richmond SPCA employees are eligible to become clients of our low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital and have access to an Employee Assistance Program. Employees who average 15 hours per week are eligible for voluntary (employee-paid) benefits including accident insurance, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance. Employees who average 20 hours a week can participate in our 401(k) retirement plan and have access to paid wellness leave.