Cat Care Lead

Rescue, a fast-moving, feline-only rescue and shelter in Shoreline, is looking to add a Cat Care Lead to our growing staff. Cat Care Leads supervise a team of volunteers to take care of the daily needs of the cats and kittens at the Rescue. Cat Care Leads are responsible for ensuring that all cats and kittens receive high-quality care, and the Rescue is clean and organized.

The successful candidate for this position will be caring and patient with both felines and humans, have great attention to detail and be able to clearly communicate cat care protocols and practices with volunteers. The cat care lead is the frontline person responsible for monitoring the health and wellbeing of cats, and escalating cats to medical and/ or enrichment should they need additional care.

Duties and responsibilities

Working with Volunteers

• Supervise and lead a team of 2-5 volunteers to meet the daily needs of cats, kittens, and the Rescue itself.
• Train volunteers to perform cat care and cleaning duties.
• Provide volunteers with appropriate feedback on their performance.

Caring For Cats

• Provide humane care to cats and kittens in line with animal sheltering best practices.
• Provide fresh food, water, and litter boxes to cats and kittens in accordance with their needs.
• Maintain clean and sanitary enclosures.
• Keep up-to-date animal records and observation charts using objective language.
• Monitor the health of shelter animals and communicate any signs of illness to the medical team.
• Administer daily medication to cats as needed.
• Monitor cats and kittens for fear, anxiety or stress (FAS) in line with Fear Free practices
• Work with shy or scared cats to give them comfort and confidence in a shelter setting

Maintaining the Rescue

• Organize and restock supplies as needed.
• Clean and sanitize dishes, laundry, floors, and enclosures.
• Support volunteers in their learning of all relevant SAFe Rescue protocols.
• Work directly with the other staff members, supervisors and managers to assure the highest of standards in day-to-day shelter operations.

General

• Communicate effectively and professionally with co-workers, management and guests at all times.
• Attend in-service trainings, staff and volunteer meetings as required.
• Wear appropriate, clean uniform or dress code at all times during business hours.
• This list of duties is not all-inclusive. A willingness to be cross-trained and support all areas of the rescue is appreciated.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Must be 18 years old and possess a High School Diploma or GED Equivalent.
• Must have animal handling experience (paid or volunteer), and be able to work closely with animal dander/hair/bodily fluids.
• Must be able to meet high standards for quality of care.
• Able to handle multiple tasks at once in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to prioritize tasks and communicate those priorities to a team of volunteers.
• Able to communicate with volunteers, staff, and customers in a friendly and inclusive manner.
• Must be able to perform all tasks to shelter protocol standards in a humane and consistent manner.
• Able to learn proper handling of difficult, fractious, and feral cats.
• Maintain an open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols.

Preferred Education, Skills, & Experience

• Knowledge and prior work or volunteer experience in the animal welfare industry is preferred.
• Knowledge of cat behavior and health is preferred.
• Experience with shelter software is a bonus, especially Animal Shelter Manager (ASM)
• Previous experience leading, supervising and training diverse groups of volunteers.
• Experience handling difficult, fractious, and feral cats.
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment with a high degree of integrity and accountability.
• Flexibility, enthusiasm and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

Working conditions

• Due to the nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile or irate persons; parasites, zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, or sights; disinfectants and chemicals; and extreme temperatures.
• This position involves direct contact with cats, humans, cat food and litter, disinfectants, and veterinary medications.
• May work under stressful conditions due to the temperament and high volume of animals worked with
• Will need to work various shifts which will include holidays, evenings, and weekends

Physical requirements

• Must be able to stand, walk, sit, see, talk and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift
• Must be able to push or pull 30 pounds for situations of restraining or moving animals and lifting food and animal care supplies
• Must be able to flex the neck upward and downward and to twist the neck and the waist

Employee Benefits

• Paid sick and vacation time
• 7 Floating holidays / year
• Pet supplies and lab work available to purchase at cost
• Option to purchase Colonial Life supplemental insurance policy

Additional Information

Hours for this position are 8:00am-1:00pm Monday to Tuesday approximately 20 hours/week.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $20.00 - $21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $21