Animal Care Specialist - Humane Society Pikes Peak Region

Are you looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people? With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop, HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso, Pueblo, and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial. We employ a total of 200+ employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion.

*This job will close on Thursday, June 27, 2024*

• Job Summary

  The Animal Care Specialist is responsible for providing training to Animal Care Technicians ensuring that high quality animal care, handling & sanitation is being provided; assists to support staff for consistency and operates in a coordinated, efficient, and effective manner in accordance with department protocols. The Animal Care Specialist ensures an environment of compassionate and respectful animal and people care in accordance with HSPPR's mission, values, goals, and management philosophy.

  Key Duties and Responsibilities

  
  

  Animal Care Operations

  • Adheres to high quality standards of animal care, handling, and sanitation and performance is consistent with protocols, including but not limited to ensuring that animals are fed according to dietary instructions; cleaning and disinfecting of animal enclosures, dishes and other equipment used; completing laundry duties; assists with the flow and movement of the animal population.
  • Serves as the Euthanasia Lead, performing humane euthanasia of animals as well as proper care and disposal of deceased animals.
  • Trains new and existing Animal Care Technicians in all aspects of the animal care department, including high quality standards of animal care, handling, and sanitation and that staff performance is consistent with protocols.
  • Assists in keeping all training manuals, procedures, checklists, and tests up to date.
  • Conducts audits of areas and reviews audits with staff; submits paperwork or digital results to supervisors/managers.
  • Performs all Animal Care job duties as needed.
  
  

  Relationships

  • Cultivates and maintains relationships with peers and volunteers.
  • Supports staff and volunteers; provide quality services to clients, volunteers, and employees, recognizing their individual contributions to the success of our organization.
  
  
  

  Communication

  • Communicates issues and concerns to the Animal Care Supervisors.
  • Communicates effectively with staff and volunteers so pertinent parties are informed of animal care issues/information.
  • Documents staff and volunteer complaints. Handles complaints and/or concerns with professionalism and good judgment. Involves Animal Care Manager as necessary.
  • Communicates with and provides regular feedback and/or coaching to volunteers in a professional and timely manner.
  • Informs Animal Care Manager of developments that may affect HSPPR or the department including department progress, media exposure, public image, client concerns, and personnel issues.
  
  

  Fiscal Responsibility

  • Properly maintains equipment used.
  • Restocks all supply items daily. Reports need for ordering, maintenance, and inventory of supplies and equipment.
  • Plans and organizes in anticipation of future needs.
  
  

  Other

  • Commitment to the mission, values, goals and success of HSPPR.
  • Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
  • Perform all other duties as assigned.

  Supervisory Duties

  • None

  Community Relations

  • Help the community and donors recognize the daily, life-saving work HSPPR does by sending pictures and stories to the Philanthropy team
  • Aid the Philanthropy team with stories and photography opportunities whenever possible.
  • Represents HSPPR in a professional light and promotes our mission and goals.

  Volunteer

  • Works cooperatively with all volunteers and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to HSPPR.

  Safety

  • Ensures a safe work environment, following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices.
  • Takes immediate action to address any safety concerns and that could put a staff member, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.

  Material and Equipment Directly Used

  • Various animal restraint and safety equipment including but not limited to: leashes, catch poles, snappy snares, live traps, feral cubbies, nets, safety gloves, muzzles and ropes.
  • Motor vehicles in good and inclement weather and lighting conditions
  • Various computers with Windows software such as Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and animal shelter software such as Chameleon.
  • Office equipment such as faxes, telephones, printers, scanners and copy machines.
  • Medical equipment, medication and or supplies such as but not limited to, syringes, needles, controlled substances and vaccines.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as but not limited to, ear protection, isolation gowns, isolation booties, face masks, safety glasses and gloves.
  • Pressure washers, spray nozzles, foamers and chemicals for cleaning.

  Physical Demands

  • Regularly sits at computer station, often in a shared office environment.
  • The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 or more pounds of moving weight and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 or more pounds of moving weight.
  • Occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell.
  • Regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and is frequently required to stand and walk. May be expected to be on feet for extended periods of time.
  • Must be able to use both hands and arms to grip, pull and push utilizing safety equipment such as, but not limited to catch poles, snappy snares, leashes, ropes, muzzles.
  • Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
  • Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.
  • Must handle various animals of various sizes, including aggressive animals
  • Exposed to zoonotic diseases.
  • Regularly exposed to noise and potential exposure to hazardous weather conditions.
  • Potential exposure to cleaning supplies and/or other substances containing toxic or caustic chemicals.

  Schedule Requirements

  • Schedule will include weekend and holiday work.

  Education/Experience Necessary

  • One year of professional experience working with animals in an animal welfare, zoological organization, or other animal care field desired
  • Certified to euthanize at HSPPR required; if not currently certified, must become fully trained and certified within sixty (60) days of start date
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills
  • Previous teaching or training experience preferred
  • Knowledge of veterinary care/animal health desired

  NOTE: The job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

The core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care, our organization, and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• • Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness, respect, and compassion.

• • Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.

• • Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission, always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community, and by standing united in our decisions.

• • Excellence: We are passionate about our mission, and strive for excellence through continual learning, innovation, and the development of our board, staff and volunteers.

• • Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.

• • Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.