Kennel Attendant & Customer Service

Join a team that is passionate about making a difference in our community. This is an entry-level position in the animal welfare field with opportunity for growth and advancement.

Job Summary:

Responsible for maintaining proper disease control protocols; including cleaning of the facility, laundry and general maintenance of the facility. To provide customer service to the public; including adoptions, reuniting stray animals, and selling city licenses. To maintain a commitment to the philosophies and policies of YVAS in the performance of duties and respect the dignity and basic rights of each animal. To support the mission of YVAS.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

**Surrenders:

Assist Animal Care Lead(s) with fielding all calls and in-person inquiries regarding the surrender of animals, returning phone calls within 24 hours or by your next scheduled work day.

Counsel surrendering owners on the intake process and offer alternatives to relinquishment when appropriate.

Schedule intakes as promptly as possible, yet in a manner that allows for immediate acceptance of emergency situations while avoiding overcrowding.

Processes incoming animals that are stray, transferred from other shelters or surrendered by owners. This includes, but is not limited to, performing physical assessments, vaccination, behavioral journaling, entering information into the database, and setting up animals in appropriate kennels or cages.

**Animal Care:

Ensure all animal records, both electronic and paper, are properly maintained and up-to-date

Provide regular updates to the medical team on the animal population in order to facilitate an efficient flow of animals from intake to the adoption program.

Inform the medical team of any new, changing, or ongoing medical needs of individual animals

Work with Volunteer Coordinator on foster care program for animals, including the identification of animals in need of foster care, training and assignment of foster volunteers, and scheduling of medical care and return of fostered animals to the shelter

Maintain proper inventory of animal care supplies and equipment, informing Office Manager when reordering is necessary

Identify potential behavior or other problems that may affect the adoptability of individual animals and report these to the Animal Care Lead(s)

Ensure all cleaning and handling protocols are being followed correctly and ensure daily that department facility grounds are kept clean and organized

Collaborate with animal care staff, medical team, Animal Care Lead(s), and Executive Director when medical and/or behavioral problems are not responding to interventions, or when an individual or a combination of problems make an animal inappropriate for adoption.

Responsible for providing care for companion animals other than cats and dogs such as, but not limited to, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, birds, and reptiles.

**Customer Care & Adoptions:

Provide excellent customer service to potential adopters, from initial matchmaking to transfer of ownership and beyond

Role model open, honest, and positive adoption process for other animal care staff

Maintain close communication with the Animal Care Lead(s) regarding scheduled intakes, any major issues with customers, or when a unique situation arises that may need management approval or input

Follow up on all incoming inquiries (including but not limited to those via phone, email, Facebook, or the YVAS website) pertaining to lost or found animals, animals available for adoption, returning stray animals to owners, or other animal-specific matters, to ensure prompt and complete customer care

**Other Duties:

Active participation in special events as relates to the position and the mission of YVAS (i.e. Adoption Events, Fundraising Events, Spay and Neuter Clinics, etc.).

Assist with public education regarding associated animal division and animal welfare as a whole.

Other duties as assigned.

**Minimum Qualifications (Experience/Education):

Must be a high school graduate or equivalent, and be able to read, write and speak clearly so that written and verbal instructions can be followed.

Additional schooling and/or experience in the animal care profession are desirable.

Must be willing and able to work daily with all companion animals and have a basic understanding of the needs and behavior of domestic cats and dogs.

Animal handling skills preferred.

Proven experience working with the public and developing and maintaining excellent relationships.

Ability and desire to work in a fast-paced, changing environment.

Ability to work in a shared space with many distractions including but not limited to customer questions and animals in the office

Professional public image.

Experience working with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Must be able to work maturely and respectfully with diverse groups of people and maintain high-quality customer relations.

Must possess excellent interpersonal, organizational, written and verbal communication skills.

Must be organized and flexible, and able to balance concurrent projects and adjust to rapid, changing needs.

Preference may be given to candidates with previous experience working with animals in a humane society, animal shelter or veterinary clinic.

Important considerations for this position include the ability to handle animals safely and humanely and to communicate clearly about their needs at all times.

Must have or be able to obtain a valid Driver’s License with no major or repeated minor traffic offenses.

Able to work flexible hours, which will include evenings, weekends, and some holidays.

Able to lift and carry animals, equipment, and supplies in excess of 50 pounds.

Valid Driver’s License or reliable transportation.

Passion for issues relating to animal welfare.

**Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

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

Physical demands include:

* Lifting and moving animals and cages

* Frequent movement, including but not limited to standing, walking, stooping, carrying heavy loads, movement of cages, restraining active animals, and operation of motor vehicle

**Working conditions include:

* Possible exposure to dangerous, diseased, frightened, and injured animals

* Possible exposure to potentially harmful chemicals and drugs

* Working with strong cleaning agents on wet surfaces

* Indoor and outdoor work in all weather conditions

**Emotional demands include:**

* Euthanasia for sick and aggressive animals

* Animal abuse

* Animal neglect

Pay: $12.75 - $13.25 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Are you able to work any time between the hours of 8am-7pm?
• Can you work weekends?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $13 - $13