Feline Specialist

KC Pet Project; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

KC Pet Project is seeking a Feline Care & Adoptions Specialist to join the Feline Operations team in Kansas City, MO. The role involves guiding potential adopters, evaluating cat needs, and coordinating care to ensure a smooth transition from intake to adoption.

Responsibilities include daily cat care, maintaining clean habitats, and assisting with adoptions and intake decisions. A 40-hour week is required, including one weekend day, with a $17/hour salary and non-exempt status.

Qualifications

• High School or equivalent.
• Experience in an animal shelter or rescue organization preferred.
• Any combination of training and experience demonstrating animal handling, sanitation or related skills.
• Exceptional customer service ability.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate fear, anxiety and stress scores to determine outcomes.
• Assist with cat adoption processes and provide guidance to adopters.
• Administer vaccinations and preventatives for cats on campus and maintain records.
• Assist with pathway planning to reduce length of stay for cats.
• Maintain clean cat condos and habitats and ensure sanitation protocols are followed.
• Provide daily care for cats, including health and behavior monitoring.

Skills

Exceptional customer service

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Education

High School or equivalent

Job description

Position: Feline Care & Adoptions Specialist

Department: Feline Operations

Reports to: Supervisor of Feline Care & Adoptions

Hours: 40 hours per week; full-time (including one weekend day)

Salary: $17.00/hour; non-exempt

Schedule: 5 shifts per week, 9:30am-6:30pm including Friday and Saturday

Job Purpose

Feline Specialist are responsible for working under the Supervisor of Feline Care & Adoptions and providing support to the Feline Lifesaving-PetCo Program Manager, the Feline Foster Program Manager and Adoptions Team. As a Feline Specialist you will talk to people who are bringing cats to provide guidance on the appropriateness of the cat entering the shelter vs. alternatives. Team members will also assist with pathway planning by evaluating fear, anxiety and stress scores along with intake memos to determine the most favorable outcome for each cat. Will provide guidance and information to potential cat adopters regarding transition into the home. This team also ensures all cats within the KCCAC campus have a clean living environment, that cat areas are kept clean and sanitary, and that all feline program areas are clean and ready to open to the public on time. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic worker who is highly organized, ambitious, a quick learner, and passionate about helping both people and pets to facilitate the lifesaving of cats from arrival to placement. We are looking for individuals that are “people” persons who also love cats.

Daily Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Pet Support Center Team to immediately evaluate fear, anxiety and stress scores to determine if intake or intake diversion would be a more favorable outcome.
• Speak with clients seeking to surrender a cat about Trap/Neuter/Return if it is identified as a likely free roaming outdoor cat. Also be able to demonstrate the proper use of a humane trap.
• Administer vaccinations and preventatives to all cats residing on campus and maintain the associated data and records.
• Assist with pathway planning for cats to reduce length of stay.
• Assist visitors in Cat Adoption, giving advice and performing adoptions when needed.
• Clean cat condos and habitats including scooping litter boxes, replacing soiled bedding, disposing of litter/debris, scrubbing and sanitizing rooms and/or habitats, and replenishing water bowls, all adhering to strict sanitation protocols and additional protocols specific to the Cat Program.
• Provide daily care for cats, including those with health and behavior issues. Daily care includes giving food, medication, enrichment, and wellness exams.
• Sweep and mop floors of cat areas daily. Restock essential items.
• Wash dirty laundry, empty trash, deep clean tasks as assigned.
• Assist other personnel and perform other tasks as necessary.
• Handle all cats with kindness, at all times, without exception.
• Adhere to all KC Pet Project Protocols and Policies regarding illness, disease, and sanitation.

Performance Factors and Necessary Skills

• Must be able to handle all cats with kindness at all times without exception.
• Safely work with and around cats of varying temperaments.
• Must be able to work in a high volume, fast paced, high stress environment.
• Self motivated, great attitude, team-oriented a must.
• Work quickly and efficiently with minimal oversight.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to learn, and quickly adapt to changes in programs and procedures.
• Has initiative and the ability to follow through on a project until completion.
• Weekend availability required.
• Acts with integrity at all times.
• Ability to represent KC Pet Project professionally at all times with the public and other staff.
• Commitment to the values and mission of KC Pet Project including sustaining a no-kill Kansas City and treating animals in our custody with compassion, kindness, and quality care.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, high noise levels, extreme temperatures, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects. Able to lift up to 50 lb., long periods of standing, bending, stooping, reaching, animal handling, and restraint in an animal shelter-type setting. Exposure to animals of all sizes and temperament. Be able to work both indoors and outdoors at all times of the year.

Qualifications/Educational Background

• High School or equivalent.
• Experience working in an animal shelter or rescue organization if preferred.
• Any combination of training and experience which demonstrates successful animal handling, sanitation or expertise and the knowledge and skills necessary for this position.
• Exceptional customer service ability
• Full time, 40 hours a week, including one weekend day. Some holidays may be required.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.