Veterinary Social Worker

Humane Society of Southern Arizona; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

401(k) plan with employer matching

Paid parental leave

Employee discounts for adoptions

401(k) with employer match

AFLAC supplemental insurance

Paid parental leave

Adoption and clinic service discounts

Job summary

A non-profit animal welfare organization in Tucson is hiring a Veterinary Social Worker. This full-time role focuses on assisting individuals and families through crises involving companion animals, providing them with essential resources and emotional support. Key qualifications include a Master's in social work, a license to practice in Arizona, and bilingual proficiency. This position emphasizes the importance of maintaining the human-animal bond while connecting families to community resources.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work (MSW) needed.
• License to practice social work in Arizona is required.
• Experience in crisis intervention and community-based social services is essential.
• Experience working with underserved populations.
• Experience and/or training in animal services or a related field.
• Bilingual proficiency in written and oral English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Support community members facing pet-related crises.
• Assist families navigating complex emotions related to companion animals.
• Connect individuals with resources for veterinary care and social services.
• Connect community members to resources like low-cost veterinary care, pet food, foster options, housing and social services.
• Collaborate with the community to expand resources and bridge human and animal services.
• Help design programming addressing social determinants impacting pet retention and human–animal bond.
• Represent HSSA in a professional and positive manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Grief counselling

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

Grief counselling

Underserved populations

Animal services experience

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Master's degree in social work (MSW)

LCSW License in Arizona

Job description

EOE Statement It is the policy of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, Inc. to provide all persons with equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other factor protected by law.

Category Community Engagement and Support

Job Purpose: This position supports individuals and families navigating crises and challenges involving companion animals such as animal illness or injury, pet loss, housing instability, and the prospect of having to surrender their pet(s). This position helps prevent pet surrender by providing individuals and families with access to veterinary or social resources using a trauma-informed, client-centered, and evidence-based approach. With a focus on supporting the human-animal bond, the Veterinary Social Worker supports community members in making informed, compassionate decisions that value both the human and animal experience.

Essential Functions:

• Provide support to community members in situations including but not limited to pet surrender or rehoming, animal illness or injury, end-of-life decisions, loss of an animal, housing or food instability, and access to veterinary care.
• Assist families in navigating complex emotions such as guilt, grief, fear or anger related to their companion animal.
• De-escalate emotionally charged interactions and support constructive communication between community members and shelter staff.
• Connect community members to resources such as low-cost veterinary care, pet food assistance, temporary foster or boarding options, housing and social services, and crisis support programs.
• Collaborate with the community to expand available resources and bridge human and animal services.
• Help design programming that addresses the social determinants impacting pet retention and supports the human animal bond.
• Represent HSSA in a professional and positive manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in social work (MSW)
• License with the State of Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners to independently practice social work (LCSW)
• Experience and/or training in crisis intervention, grief counselling, or community-based social services
• Experience working with underserved populations
• Experience and/or training in animal services or a related field
• Bilingual proficiency in written and oral English and Spanish

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional coursework or certification in Veterinary Social Work from an accredited university

Performance Factors and Skills:

• Strong collaboration and communication abilities
• Commitment to community engagement, equity and humane care
• Strong client-centered and culturally responsive practice
• Alignment with HSSA’s mission, values, and standards of professionalism

Working Conditions:

Public-facing role with frequent interaction with community members in crisis. Combination of shelter-based, community-based, and office work. Exposure to emotionally challenging situations involving illness, loss, and trauma. Exposure to animals of various sizes and temperaments. Exposure to zoonotic diseases, loud noises, and outdoor weather conditions is common.

Benefits Include:

• Medical insurance beginning on the first of the month following your start date.
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including Paid Sick Time, accruing at 4.61 hours per pay period. Approved PTO usage may begin after 60 days of employment.
• Eleven (11) paid holidays per year.
• 8 hours of paid birthday leave per year.
• Life insurance, beginning 12 months after your start date, provided at no cost.
• Eligibility to participate in the HSSA 401(k) plan beginning the first of the month following your start date.
• Employer matching contributions after one year of employment, provided you are at least 21 years old and have worked 1,000 hours during that year. HSSA currently matches employee contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 3%.
• Access to supplemental insurance through AFLAC, beginning the first of the month after your start date if you elect this benefit.
• Eligible employees receive six (6) weeks of paid parental leave
• Special discounts for employees and in some cases their family members for adoptions and clinic services

Position Requirements:

Employment Type: Full-Time (not part-time, temporary)

Location: Humane Society of Southern Arizona

About the Organization: The Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA), founded in 1944, is a private, independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization with the mission of acting with compassion and responsible stewardship through innovative programs that serve pets and the people who love them. HSSA is the largest charitable animal welfare and protection agency in Southern Arizona with 100+ employees and 1300 volunteers. In 2018, HSSA moved into a new state-of the-art animal shelter and spay/neuter clinic.

Vision: A community in which all pets are cared for and loved

As staff of the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, we pledge to be committed to our team as we are to the organizations mission. We will foster a compassionate environment for each other, our volunteers, and the human and animal clients we serve; empowering one another with knowledge, empathy, encouragement and recognition. We aim to eliminate negativity, support positive and effective communication, promote individual and organizational growth, and work as a cohesive team at all times regardless of tenure, position or department.

HSSA values and champions diversity and inclusion. These values are part of who we are. Together we will continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices of our HSSA team and the communities we serve.

This position is currently accepting applications.