Receptionist & Animal Care Attendant – Cape Breton SPCA

Nova Scotia SPCA; Sydney; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Pet discounts

SPCA Thrift Store discounts

Job summary

Nova Scotia SPCA is seeking a Receptionist and Animal Care Attendant to support front-desk operations and daily shelter needs. You will provide welcoming service and ensure the health, comfort, and well-being of animals in our care.

Responsibilities include guiding adopters, educating on animal care, scheduling, and accurate record keeping while maintaining a clean and safe shelter environment. Prior animal care experience is a plus.

Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to interact professionally and empathetically with a diverse range of people.
• Demonstrated calm, organized and solution-oriented approach in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of animal behaviours and basic care needs.
• Ability to identify signs of illness and report symptoms promptly.
• Ability to perform sanitation procedures and general maintenance.
• Experience with animal intake processes and record-keeping.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provides outstanding customer service with a friendly can-do attitude.
• Guide adopters through the adoption process with a positive, informative experience.
• Educate adopters on animal care, medical history and post-adoption resources.
• Answer inquiries by phone, email and in person; offer support and options.
• Assist with scheduling and coordination of appointments.
• Perform administrative and clerical duties with minimal supervision.
• Maintain clean, safe, sanitary areas and observe health and safety protocols.
• Observe animals for illness or injury and report symptoms promptly.
• Maintain accurate records for animal inventory, health and handling.

Skills

Customer service

Animal care

Communication

Teamwork

Scheduling

Education

Veterinary Assistant Diploma

Tools

Scheduling software

Records management

Job description

A Receptionist and Animal Care Attendant is a key member of the Nova Scotia SPCA Shelter team, helping to create a positive experience for people while ensuring the health, comfort, and well-being of animals in our care.

This role combines exceptional and compassionate customer service with animal care, supporting both front-of-house operations and the daily needs of shelter animals. The successful candidate will help maintain a welcoming, safe, and sanitary environment for visitors, staff, volunteers, and animals.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provides outstanding customer service with a friendly can-do attitude.
• Guide prospective adopters through the adoption process, ensuring a positive, informative and welcoming experience.
• Educate adopters on animal care, behaviour, medical history and post-adoption resources.
• Answers general inquiries by phone, email and in person and provides support and options in a variety of sensitive matters.
• Assists with the scheduling and coordination of appointments.
• Provide a wide range of administrative and clerical duties and work well with low supervision.
• Maintaining positive interactions with the public, staff and volunteers in a fast-paced, sometimes hectic and noisy environment while remaining calm, focused resourceful and efficient is critical to this role.
• Responsible for all duties related to the care of animals (cleaning of the holding areas, assuring that animals receive food and water, bathing and basic grooming).
• Provides humane handling and restraining techniques.
• Observe animals for signs of illnesses or injuries and report symptoms to the appropriate personnel.
• Administers medicationsas prescribed.
• Maintain accurate records for animal inventory, health, medications, treatments, procedures, behaviour and adoption information.
• Performs continual maintenance duties that include repairs and upkeep. Cleans all equipment and work areas to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitation. Follows health and safety regulations and protocols.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each task satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required.

• A Veterinary Assistant Diploma is considered an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to interact professionally and empathically with a diverse range of people.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, organized and solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrates animal control knowledge, including proper restraining techniques.
• Knowledge of animal behaviours, and basic obedience training methods
• Ability to identify species, breeds, age and sex of animals.
• Ability to identify signs of animal illnesses, diseases and injuries.
• Ability to identify different medications and methods of administration.
• Ability to perform sanitation procedures and general maintenance.
• Ability to perform the SPCA’s basic medical intake process and other duties as outlined in SPCA Manuals
• Employee must demonstrate ability to work effectively with others (including co-workers, customers, volunteers and others) by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; and addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions.
• Employees must demonstrate regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.

Experience:

• 1-2 years of experience in customer service.
• Previous animal care experience in a Veterinary clinic, Grooming, Doggy Daycare or other pet-related experience is an asset.

Additional Information:

• Driver’s license is required

Physical Requirements:

• Physical ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday required.
• Physical ability to lift and carry 40 pounds regularly.
• Working conditions include working alone, working outside in varying weather conditions, frequent interruptions, and some meetings.

What We Offer:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet supply and SPCA Thrift Store discounts

Hours of Work:

• Hours of work range between 8 am and 7pm daily. This position requires a flexible schedule. Evenings and weekends will be part of the regular weekly schedule, must be willing to work a flexible schedule.

Nova Scotia SPCA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, race, age, sexuality, or disability. SPCA provides a competitive salary and a rewarding work environment. Preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as African Nova Scotians, racially visible persons, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal persons and persons of the LGBTQ+ community. We encourage applicants to self-identify.