dakin is hiring

animal care specialist

This is a full-time position at Dakin's Springfield Adoption Center requiring an ability to work weekend shifts.

Experience delivering vaccines, blood tests and treatments required.

If you are interested in learning more about Dakin and joining us as a staff member, the first (and required) step is to come to our next information session!

The next information session will be held on Thursday, March 21st at 6:45 pm at our Springfield Adoption & Education Center (171 Union Street).

Please bring a copy of your cover letter and resume with you to the session.

Closing Date: Open until filled.

Dakin Position Description

Title: Animal Care Specialist

Reports to: Animal Care Manager

Hours: Full-time, non-exempt, hourly

Function: Under the supervision of the animal care manager, the animal care specialist ensures the successful operation of Dakin adoption centers by providing humane care for the animals and contributing to the operation and maintenance of the facility.

Responsibilities:

animal care:

Provides consistently high standards of humane care for all Dakin animals, including best practices in enrichment, rehabilitation, feeding, housing, and medical care.
Ensures that prescribed medical and behavioral treatment programs for all sheltered animals are carried out.
Provides daily dog walking.
Performs routine kennel work, including maintenance of animal care areas, cages, kennels, and public areas.
Participates in the screening and selecting of animals in accordance with agency guidelines, including making decisions about which animals should be scheduled for foster care, adoption, transfer, euthanasia, or other disposition.
Performs daily rounds with a focus on the efficient flow of animals through the adoption centers at all times.
Performs initial and continued health and behavior screening of sheltered animals.
In the process of examination or through daily rounds, makes euthanasia decisions base upon an animal's physical or behavioral condition.
Observes animals for signs of illness or injury and reports such to the manager on duty or veterinary staff for treatment.
Performs humane euthanasia.
Schedules animals for spay or neuter surgery at Dakin's clinic.
Accurately maintains records and daily paperwork.

customer care:

Conducts high quality delivery of adoption center outreach programs.
Serves as a representative of Dakin to customers, assessing their needs and delivering excellent service.

volunteers and interns:

Provides daily supervision to volunteers and interns in the performance of their respective job responsibilities.
Trains volunteers and interns and provides ongoing feedback and guidance.
Actively supports volunteers and interns and promotes the development of skills related to the advancement of our goals and mission.

Other responsibilities:

In all functions and tasks follows protocols, procedures, and best practices as set by Dakin, ensuring the safety and well being of animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
Implements new adoption center programs and participates in their integration into the daily operations of the adoption centers.
Works with leadership to determine needed efficiencies and implements needed changes.
Routinely communicates animal-, customer-, and volunteer-related developments with other staff through the Communications Log.
Monitors and tracks usage of department supplies following the proper agency purchasing guidelines.
Attends Dakin events as required.
Networks with and assists other animal welfare agencies.
Assists with the maintenance and upkeep of animal care facilities and equipment.
Assures the safety of the Dakin workplace and actively monitors safety for staff, clients, and animals. Follows safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.
Follows Dakin operating standards and procedures.
Complies with Dakin personnel policies.
Attends appropriate staff meetings.
Serves on appropriate committees, task forces, and networks.
Represents Dakin in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
Provides quality service to customers, volunteers, donors, and staff recognizing their individual contribution to the success of our organization.
Regularly participates in meetings with staff and volunteers to share ideas and suggestions designed to improve working conditions and the organization.
Performs other duties as assigned by the animal care supervisor, the animal care manager, the manager on duty, or the director of operations.

Position Requirements

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience:

Knowledge of basic domestic animal care and safe/humane animal handling.
Requires computer proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, email, and shelter software.

Skills and Traits:

Must agree with and be committed to the mission, policies, and goals of Dakin Humane Society.
Must be energetic, team oriented and quality improvement minded.
Must be positive, flexible, and able to handle difficult and sensitive situations with diplomacy and discretion.
Must understand and respect confidentiality, be assertive, prioritize, focus, and be customer oriented.
Must be able to see the adoption centers in their relationship to the agency as a whole and the community at large.
Must have public and employee relation skills as well as excellent communication skills.
Must have demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
Must have strong analytical ability to make sound decisions.
Must be at least 18 years of age.

Mental, Physical and Communication Demands:

Must be available to work when and where needed by the organization.
Must be willing to work irregular hours, weekends and holidays.
Requires reliable attendance.
Requires working alone or with minimal supervision. Must be self-motivated.
Requires working under pressure with a public audience.
Requires patience and tact when working with difficult, emotional, or angry people.
Requires handling people and animals in a pleasant, courteous and professional manner.
Requires ability to work safely around unruly, vicious, sick, injured, or dangerous animals.
While performing this job the employee will regularly be required to use hands and arms to reach, grasp, and hold animals, supplies, and other tools; to talk and speak clearly to clients and co-workers; and to hear questions and animals.
This job requires a great deal of standing, walking, sitting, kneeling, crouching, and general mobility. It may include lifting up to 40 pounds, carrying and pushing of supplies, and cleaning of animal areas.
This job requires the ability to safely and humanely restrain animals of various sizes and dispositions--including vicious or frightened animals.
This job requires the ability to safely dispense medications to a variety of animals through a variety of means, including oral, topical, and injectable. While performing these duties, the employee will be required to accurately and safely use needles and syringes; make accurate calculations of dosage based on animal size and species; and humanely deliver medication.
This job requires working around and with chemical compounds (i.e., bleach, detergents, and disinfectants) used to clean and disinfect kennels, cages, and other surfaces.
Requires the ability to work in an environment with generally moderate, but occasionally loud, noise levels.
While working with sheltered animals there is a risk of exposure to parasites and infectious diseases.
Allergic conditions, which could be aggravated when handling or working with animals or cleaning supplies, may be a disqualification.