Careworker

APA; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established nonprofit organization is seeking dedicated Careworkers to provide compassionate care for animals in need. This role involves ensuring the health and well-being of dogs and cats through daily tasks such as cleaning, feeding, and observing their behaviors. You will be part of a passionate team committed to the No Kill movement, making a significant difference in the lives of homeless pets. If you are enthusiastic about animal welfare and thrive in a dynamic environment, this is an exciting opportunity for you to contribute to a meaningful cause.

Benefits

Medical coverage subsidy

Dental insurance options

Vision insurance options

401(K) retirement plan match

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Flexible spending accounts

Subsidized pet insurance

Qualifications

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to animal welfare.
• Previous experience in an animal care environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Ensure timely and thorough animal care including cleaning and feeding.
• Observe and track animal health and behavior.

Skills

Attention to detail

Animal care experience

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Commitment to animal welfare

Physical strength

Ability to work in fast-paced environments

Education

High School Diploma

Experience in animal care

Job description

Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of Austin’s most dynamic and beloved nonprofits. The organization leads the No Kill movement nationally and is considered a national thought leader in animal welfare. APA! locally rescues, treats, and adopts out 10,000 homeless dogs and cats each year, providing the safety net for Austin’s most at-risk shelter pets, which helps Austin to be a No Kill city, while also assisting other communities in saving homeless animals. The organization is distinguished by the scrappiness of its grassroots and its non-traditional, community-based animal rescue work.

At APA!, care professionals are valued as animal champions, advocates, and guardians. Their passion and strong bonds glue the mission itself together. We believe quality care is dependent on quality relationships, because those relationships teach us about the individual animal and inform us of what we can share about them with others, in hopes of them finding a home. APA! encourages strong connections not just for the welfare of pets, but for purpose-driven people too.

BRIEF POSITION SUMMARY/OVERVIEW: The Careworker staff position ensures animal care at APA! is timely, exact, and thorough for dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. Careworkers work together to help the system run smoothly when it comes to essential daily tasks like cleaning and feeding, but they also pause when appropriate to recognize individual animals and their unique needs in that system. While some aspects of care are broken down into a science, Careworkers are also encouraged to explore it as an art when they become more advanced and trained.

Levels I, II, and III for Careworkers are distinguished by competencies and experience. More information pertaining to various skills and levels are available in the 'Careworker Levels and Competencies' document upon request.

Careworkers may be assigned primarily to kennel technician duties at the outset of their employment, until the team has capacity to provide training for more advanced responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Treats animals and teammates with the highest level of compassion and consideration
• Cleans and sanitizes animal enclosures to ensure health and wellness
• Provides animals with fresh water and nutritious food
• Offers animals potty and exercise breaks outside of their enclosures
• Handles, transfers, walks, and physically transports animals across campuses
• Observes and tracks animal feeding habits, bowel movements, weight charts, and basic functions
• Maintains an orderly and pleasing environment by performing laundry, dishwashing, supply stocking, litter box cleaning, carrier cleaning, sweeping, and mopping floors
• At the II and III level, performs more complex administrative tasks such as software data entry, inventory tracking, clinic/intake coordination, and records management, and mentoring/training
• At the II and III level, performs more complex medical and behavior tasks such as special populations care, medical administration, wellness exams, advanced handling, and mentoring/training
• Prioritizes 2nd daily contact points and rounds with animals inside selected or assigned caseload or facility zone (approximately 25 pets)
• Builds in additional contact points or activities with most critical animals in caseload/facility zone
• Explores higher-level needs in populations, such as that of socialization, comfort, trust, belonging, etc.
• Translates animal case progress, observations, and data into care plans, care notes, and cross-team functional resources that are personalized to individual animals
• At the II and III level, performs more complex animal case management tasks like enrichment routines, personality tracking, behavior tracking, counseling, and mentoring/training
• Job duties may include some or all of the above, and other duties as assigned by manager

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings
• Maintain open and consistent communication with manager or designee, supervisor, and other colleagues
• Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
• Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
• Able to work in a high-volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPECTATIONS:

• Exceptional attention to detail
• Commitment to the wellbeing of every animal in the organization’s care
• Previous experience working in an animal care environment preferred
• Dedicated to being on time and with a sense of urgency
• Excellent interpersonal skills - can remain calm and professional at all times
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with passionate people
• Knowledge of and passion for the No Kill movement and its aims in Austin and throughout the region
• Strong work ethic with a proven track record of accomplishment
• Must be able to pass dog walking training and follow the dog handling procedures and safety protocols
• Contribute to the success of the Quality of Care department by adhering to strict standards of care for each and every animal in the shelter
• Continue to review and revise all practices to achieve a shorter service time without sacrificing quality or oversight
• Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude
• Must embody APA!'s Core Values of Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, and Inclusion
• Commitment to APA!'s customer experience expectations
• Willing and committed to working well with volunteers and staff in all roles

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to routinely lift 40-50 pounds
• Must be able to push/pull a large cart over uneven ground
• Must be able to work around animals (including diseased, injured, and/or potentially aggressive animals), loud noises, chlorine or other chemicals, and inclement weather
• Be able to bend and use your arms in a repetitive manner
• Can be on your feet for an entire 8 hour shift
• Must have physical strength to perform cleaning duties quickly and on schedule
• If reasonable accommodations are requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job absent undue hardship to the organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste, fluids, debris, and chemicals
• High levels of noise, such as dogs barking
• Potential for animal bites, scratches, and diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people

TIME COMMITMENT:

• This is a full-time , nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week.
• Shift and schedule flexibility is required, as weekly schedule is subject to change
• Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed

LOCATION(S):

• APA! Main - Town Lake Animal Center 1156 West Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78703
• May travel to offsite locations as needed

BENEFITS:

Full Time: Austin Pets Alive! is proud to offer a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including up to 95% subsidy on employer-sponsored medical coverage, subsidized and voluntary life insurance, voluntary dental, vision and short-term disability options, all effective the first day of employment. We also offer voluntary wellness and emergency sick plans, up to 2% match on 401(K) retirement plan, supplemental benefits, subsidized pet insurance, flexible spending accounts and additional life coverage. Full-time employees receive 10 paid holidays and accrue 10 days paid time off during the first year of employment, with an additional 5 days of PTO accrual upon completion of 12 months of employment. Employee’s will also receive professional development opportunities through APA!’s ongoing mission to advance our animal welfare professionals in our life-saving work.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:

Austin Pets Alive! is an equal employment opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by the issues we engage on. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ people, women, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply.

Austin Pets Alive! does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Austin Pets Alive! is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, community focus, and innovation.

APA! is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail] at least one week in advance of your interview.