Evaluation Specialist

FLSA:   Non-Exempt (hourly) REVISED: 7/21/2025

REPORTS TO: Behavior Manager REVIEWED: 07/21/2025

SUPERVISES: None

Position Summary:

This position oversees the assessment and pathway planning of all animals admitted to The Animal Foundation care to prioritize humane, safe, and responsible placement options such as adoption, transfer, or euthanasia. Determines and performs appropriate evaluation needs based on the animal’s temperament, history, and condition. Facilitates supportive care planning for animals while in shelter care to address welfare concerns such as fear, stress, and aggression. Determines enrichment and pathway plans to support The Animal Foundation’s mission to save the lives of all healthy and treatable animals in the Las Vegas valley. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists to create, enhance and maintain a culture of health and overall wellness for the animals in our care.

• Performs behavioral assessments to determine appropriate placement pathways for animals, including adoption, transfer, and euthanasia. 

• Assists to achieve and maintain a high volume of animal participation in enrichment activities.

• Assists to maintain and improve enrichment programs with innovative ideas and plans.

• Assists other departments with basic animal handling and/or handling animals who are showing signs of stress in the shelter environment. 

• Continually reviews animal population and individual animal needs to prioritize legal hold requirements and ensure animals are moved through the shelter system accurately and swiftly. 

• Provides information and assistance to internal and external guests as required.

• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its guests by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team.

• Observes animals in a timely manner, to support processing through holding periods that will benefit both their physical and mental health.

• Records and maintains detailed information for animals in the Chameleon database.

• Provides documentation to local animal control partners for assistance in neglect, cruelty, and dangerous animal investigations. 

• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization’s service to its guests by offering suggestions and participating as an active member of a work team.

• Provides responsive, meaningful and compassionate service to all guests

• Other duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience:  

• High school equivalent 

• Two (2) years of full-time equivalent animal enrichment experience 

• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities 

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License & Certification Requirements: 

• Nevada Driver License

• CPDT-KA certification preferred 

Required Knowledge and Skills:

Knowledge of:

• General knowledge of companion animal welfare, behavior, breeds and species. 

• Humane euthanasia and its principles and practices. 

• Principles and practices of guest service.

• Standard office administrative practices and procedures, including record keeping systems and the operation of office equipment, computers, and associated software.

• Animal breeds and characteristics.

• Effective Soft skills or Interpersonal skills for dealing with team members, volunteers and the public, in person and over the telephone.

• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Skill in:

• Handling fractious and fearful animals safely and humanely. 

• Performing temperament based assessments of animals. 

• Gathering and compiling information; preparing accurate reports and summaries.

• Dealing tactfully and effectively with team members, volunteers and guests.

• Use of business software and associated computer hardware.

• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.

• Working without close supervision in standard work situations.

• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.

• Preparing clear and concise correspondence, instructions and other written materials. 
  
  

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

Physical ability and mobility to walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.  Strength to lift and/or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds frequently, 50 pounds occasionally.  Vision to read printed materials.  Stamina to sit and work with a computer for an extended period of time.  Hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.  Accommodation may be made for some of these physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation.

Team Members are continuously exposed to animals, animal waste, pet dander, peanut butter, cleaning chemicals, high noise and potentially hazardous conditions, including the risk of animal bites and occasional work outdoors for extended periods of time while exposed to cold and extremely hot temperatures.

All team members work in a culture of continuous improvement and are expected to support our mission. Team members must be able to clearly articulate our goals, actively participate in outstanding customer service, and accept responsibility for maintaining our culture of philanthropy.  

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected of this position.  This description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive listing or description of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of incumbents in the job.

I have read and understand the above to be a general description of the duties, physical demands and occupational exposures of the position for which I am being hired.