Animal Welfare Specialist

City of Springfield, MA; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Springfield, MA, via the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, seeks an Animal Welfare Specialist to support adoption services, medical evaluations, and daily animal care.

You will interact with the public, conduct counseling, and help manage emergencies and compliance with welfare protocols. Responsibilities include clinical tasks, transfers between organizations, and coordination of spay/neuter and other procedures, while maintaining high standards of care and

Qualifications

• Associates degree in a related field.
• Two years of related experience in animal welfare.

Responsibilities

• Provides high quality customer service to the general public.
• Assists with adoption counseling, surrenders, and handling of complaints and general animal welfare issues by phone or in person.
• Examines incoming animals including vaccinations, heartworm and FELV testing, micro-chipping, grooming, and daily medical treatments.
• Conducts adoption counseling sessions, surrenders, and Return To Owners.
• Receives reports of cruelty/neglect and advises on animal welfare issues in person or by phone.
• Participates in euthanasia according to center policies and procedures.
• Arranges transfers between organizations and monitors feral cat colonies; secures resources for indigent clients contacting the center.
• Makes arrangements for spay/neuter and other medical appointments.
• Assists with emergencies and law enforcement cases as directed by the Executive Director or Shelter Supervisor.
• Ensures all shelter animals receive the best care and daily observation for illness or injury.
• Cleans and disinfects kennels, provides food, water, bedding; maintains sanitation.
• Uses Chameleon Software for transactions and data entry.
• Follows humane and business procedures and center protocols.
• Advanced interpersonal skills to handle conflict with highly emotional or difficult clients.
• Ability to diffuse potentially aggressive or hostile behaviors in clients.
• Effective communication with the public and volunteers; ability to work independently.
• Knowledge of animal handling skills and general animal welfare issues.
• Ability to use shelter/rescue equipment safely and effectively.
• Knowledge of legal protocol in handling, administering, and logging controlled animal drugs.

Skills

Customer service

Adoption counseling

Animal care

Vaccinations

Micro-chipping

Grooming

Euthanasia

Spay/Neuter

Emergency response

Interpersonal skills

Conflict resolution

Independence

Animal handling

Legal protocol

Chameleon Software

Education

Associates degree in a related field

Tools

Chameleon Software

Job description

The Animal Welfare Specialist ensures the successful operations of TJO Adoption Center by providing effective customer service, medical and behavioral evaluation and treatment, direct animal care, as well as kennel sanitation. They ensure that the general public is treated respectfully, and that appropriate information with regard to animal related situations/issues is communicated effectively.Responsible for ensuring that quality care is provided for all shelter animals in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. No supervisor is exercised over other employees.

• Provides high quality customer service to the general public
• Treats the public in a courteous and respectful manner at all times; while assisting with adoption counseling, surrenders, receiving complaints and advice on general animal welfare issues – both in person and by phone.
• Examines all incoming animals – including administering vaccinations, heartworm and feline leukemia testing, micro-chipping, grooming procedures (nail trimming, ear cleaning, etc.), and daily medical treatments.
• Conducts adoption counseling sessions, surrenders, and Return To Owners.
• Receives reports of possible cruelty/neglect and gives advice on general animal welfare issues both in person and by phone.
• Participates in the euthanasia process in accordance with the policies and procedures as set forth by the Center.
• Arranges transfers of animals between organizations, monitors colonies of feral cats or stray populations, and secures resources for indigent clients that contact to TJO for assistance
• Makes arrangements for spay/neuter and other medical appointments
• Assists with animal emergencies and/or law enforcement cases as needed and directed by the Executive Director or Shelter Supervisor.
• Ensures all shelter animals are provided with the best possible care.
• Continually makes observations of each animal for signs of illness, injury, or behavioral deterioration.
• Cleans and disinfects kennels, cages, etc., and provides proper food, water, bedding, etc.
• Works with the computer program, Chameleon Software, and handles all necessary transactions.
• Adheres to systems, methods, and procedures in accordance with modern humane and business.

• Advanced interpersonal skills to deal with conflict, highly emotional, and difficult clients.
• Ability to diffuse potentially aggressive or hostile behaviors in clients.
• Ability to work well and communicate effectively with the public and volunteers.
• Ability to work effectively and independently.
• Knowledge of animal handling skills.
• General knowledge of animal welfare issues.
• Ability to use shelter/rescue equipment safely and effectively.
• Knowledge of legal protocol n handling, administering, and logging controlled animal drugs.

• Associates degree in a related field.
• Two years of related experience in animal welfare.