Part-Time Lead Animal Shelter Assistant

City of Rohnert Park; Rohnert Park (CA); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,444,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS benefits

Job summary

The City of Rohnert Park is seeking a Part-Time Lead Animal Shelter Assistant to support shelter operations at the City’s Animal Shelter. This role averages 25-30 hours per week and is CalPERS benefited, 1456-hour position in a fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).

It involves supervising volunteers, assisting in intake, adoption, records, front counter coverage, and coordinating with staff; work year-round with a flexible schedule.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to a high school diploma.
• Two years of animal-related work experience, paid or unpaid, is preferred.
• One year of Supervisory experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in operation and maintenance of the Animal Shelter, including cleaning kennels, feeding and medicating animals, and maintaining records.
• Provide front counter and phone coverage and assist the public with adoptions and licensing.
• Supervise Part-Time Animal Shelter Assistants and volunteers; train staff and volunteers; set daily priorities.

Skills

Customer service

Supervision

Flexibility

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Basic office software

Job description

The City of Rohnert Park is seeking a Part-Time Lead Animal Shelter Assistant. This a CalPERS benefited, 1456 hour position in a fiscal year, (from July 1st through June 30th)

The Animal Shelter is looking for a compassionate, caring, and hardworking individual for a variety of assignments. This position averages 25 - 30 hours per week and requires flexibility in work hours at this 365 days a year facility.

If you are currently in a Registered Veterinarian Technician Program, please be advised that this position will not count towards the 4,000 + hours work experience requirement. Additionally, if you are currently volunteering at the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter, you cannot be a volunteer and a Part-Time Animal Shelter Assistant at the same time.

Definition

Assists in the operation and maintenance of the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter, including cleaning kennels, cages, dishes and litter boxes; feeding, medicating and exercising the animals; cooperatively works with other staff and volunteers, including junior volunteers; assists in the intake of strays and owner-surrendered animals, and the redemption and adoption of animals from the Shelter; helps maintain records; provides front counter and phone coverage; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Part-Time Lead Animal Shelter Assistant is responsible for assisting with the supervision and training of Part-Time Animal Shelter Assistants and volunteers while performing a wide variety of office and field duties at the City's Animal Shelter. In addition to performing all of the duties of the Part-Time Animal Shelter Assistant listed below under Essential Job Functions, the Part-Time Lead Animal Shelter Assistant also:

• Trains new staff and assists with training volunteers to ensure consistency and high standards
• Sets daily priorities and keeps staff on task
• Assists the Animal Health Technician with processing animals to make sure they are moving forward in a timely manner
• Makes decisions about moving animals within the kennels to meet their needs
• Assists the Animal Shelter Supervisor with special and ongoing projects including but not limited to administration citations, Facebook posts, and adoptable animal web descriptions
• Ensures standards of cleanliness are adhered to
• Sets behavior and training protocols for animals with special needs
• Assists with tracking the animal flow through the shelter
• Inventories and orders animal food, litter and other supplies

Supervision Received/Exercised

General supervision is provided by the Animal Shelter Supervisor or his/her designee. These duties are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.

• Cleans, feeds, and medicates animals
• Keeps Animal Shelter clean and sanitary at all times
• Ensures animals are properly cared for
• Assists with the sale of animal licenses and the collection of established fees
• Assists members of the public seeking to redeem an impounded animal or adopt an animal
• Performs front office duties including maintaining daily records, answering incoming calls and completing simple reports; answers citizen inquiries and provides shelter information to the public; conducts tours of the facility
• Oversees adoption events at business, farmers markets and other off site locations
• Assists in Volunteer Program coordination including recruiting volunteers, tracking work schedules, and providing orientation to new volunteers
• Receives and records payment for licenses and adoptions as needed
• Provides customer service at the front counter in person and on the phone
• Utilizes computers and computer software programs; assists with updating website and social media sites that promote Animal Shelter programs, services and events
• Washes dishes, does laundry, and performs janitorial duties
• Exercises good judgment when dealing with difficult situations and customers
• Assists in the intake of strays or owner-surrendered animals
• Assists with euthanasia of animals as necessary
• Provides input on temperament of animals
• May drive animals to vet offices for medical attention
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker in the event of a disaster or emergency
• Performs other duties as assigned

City Employees Are Expected To

• Provide outstanding and friendly customer service
• Create and maintain a respectful and collaborative working environment
• Communicate honestly and behave in a manner that is ethical, legal and fiscally responsible
• Demonstrate care for the organization, customers and coworkers
• Practice and encourage initiative and innovation to improve the workplace

Sufficient education, training and/or experience to successfully perform the duties assigned to the Part-Time Lead Animal Shelter Assistant.

Education, Training and/or Experience

• Education equivalent to a high school diploma
• Two years of animal-related work experience, paid or unpaid, is preferred
• One year of Supervisory experience is preferred

Licensing/Certification

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License and a good driving record is required
• Possession of a Euthanasia Certificate is desirable

Special Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age
• Must be available year-round and able to work a flexible schedule. The Animal Shelter is staffed 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to approximately 8 p.m., including all holidays. Work shifts are 6-11 hours typically.
• Per California State Law, smoking is not permitted inside City facilities/vehicles or within 20 feet of main entrances, exits and operable windows.

Knowledge Of

• Techniques for properly handling and caring for animals
• Operation and functions of an animal shelter
• Physical and behavioral characteristics of domestic animals; breed identification
• Basic office functions, working with the public, and customer service skills
• Basic math and cashiering skills
• Computers and standard software programs and web-based programs
• Risk management policies, procedures and techniques
• Proper documentation and recordkeeping

Skill To

• Perform data entry quickly and accurately
• Write legibly

Ability To

• Effectively and safely handle a variety of animals, including fractious dogs, feral cats, and occasionally, exotic animals
• Lift and carry a maximum of 50 pounds (i.e. animals, bags of litter, etc.)
• Process payments
• Perform basic math transactions
• Maintain accurate records
• Follow oral and written directions
• Deal effectively and tactfully with the general public
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships
• Learn and utilize new technology