Shelter Assistant Job Description
$16/hr.  Full time

Summary:
The Shelter Assistant supports and reports to the Shelter Manager and assists with daily operations of the animal adoption center.  The Shelter Assistant helps to provides leadership and direction for the adoption counselors and Food Bank to maintain best practices and the highest standards of animal sheltering.  Prior animal care experience is helpful but not mandatory for consideration.

 

Essential Job Tasks:

• Responsible for helping to train and work alongside adoption counselor staff.

• Monitors safety compliance for staff and volunteers.

• Helps to maintain shelter records and statistics that include animal intake and adoption; may add or update SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) as deemed necessary.

• Oversees inventory and proper storage of shelter supplies and equipment, and ensures that appropriate quantities of all supplies are in-house for immediate use.

• Enforces all policies and protocols to protect the health and well-being of the animals in the shelter’s care.

• Meets with the Shelter Manager and Executive Director to develop long-range programs and regularly helps to review policies and procedures.

• Assists in the assessment of the general health of the shelter animals on a regular basis looking for and identifying any signs of stress, illness, injury, aggression or abnormal behaviors – reports this to Shelter Mgr.

• Ensures that animals are cared for daily including proper feeding, watering, shelter and monitoring for signs of injuries and behavioral changes. Maintains all animals in a clean, comfortable, safe living environment.  

• Works cooperatively with ICU staff to ensure that all animals are treated appropriately, their needs are being met as well as ensuring that all medical requirements are taken care of. 

• Develops and maintains positive, professional relationships with the public, staff, volunteers and fosters.

• Participates in special projects as needed, including fundraising events, employee development programs, and public education programs.

• Helps to evaluate and contribute suggestions/ideas for new and on-going shelter projects and policies to determine and implement best practices. Regularly reviews standard operating procedures to assure compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines and facility mission.

• Carries out other duties as assigned by Shelter Manager and Executive Director.

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Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Treats all animals humanely, with compassion and concern, both on and off the job and promotes these values to others.

• Assists with tours, fundraising activities, and special events as needed.

• Answers telephone calls from the public in a professional manner, has the ability to direct calls to the proper person or department and initiates appropriate follow-up.

• Answer emails; assist with applications when needed/requested.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of standard safety rules.

• Interpersonal, organizational and motivational skills as well as the ability to work well in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks at once.

• Ability to direct staff effectively.

• Ability to manage conflicts, disputes, and grievances in a positive, supportive manner.

• Excellent evaluation of assessment skills in the areas of animal health, temperament, human/animal bond, home environment, and successful adoption guidelines.

• Exceptional work ethic with excellent interpersonal, organizational, and planning skills.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment as appropriate and to work independently with limited supervision.

• Ability to promote and advocate for a team environment in the workplace.

• Possession of excellent oral and written communication skills and a genuine desire to model and facilitate productive communication in the workplace.

• Trained in basic computer skills using standard office programs such as Microsoft Office.

 

Education and Experience:

• Demonstrated supervisory knowledge, including motivational techniques and professional development/training methods

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a commitment to helping others reach their full potential

• Ability to be flexible, adaptable with a “can-do” and positive attitude.

 

Physical Requirements:

• Must be in good health. Any allergies that would be aggravated from exposure or through contact with animals or chemicals used to sanitize facilities may be a disqualification.

• Must be able to stand, walk, bend, and stoop frequently to perform duties. Must also have the ability to perform prolonged strenuous physical activity, including lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

 

Working Conditions:

• On rare occasions, you may be exposed to hostile or abusive members of the public and emotion-charged situations and must be able to deal with these as they arise.  Shelter operations as well, may at times be fast-paced with changing workloads and this can be stressful.  Shelter Assistant should be flexible and adaptable enough to comfortably deal with these changing circumstances.   

• By nature of the job, there is occasional exposure to injured, sick, or dangerous animals in addition to exposure to parasites and infectious diseases.

• Must be available and willing to work weekends and holidays on occasion and attend mandatory training and meetings as the supervisor determines are necessary or desirable to meet shelter needs.

• Must be committed to the mission of AniMeals

• Must be highly organized

 

Benefits:
Wages are $16/hour to start with room for advancement
This is a full-time position, 40 hours/week, Monday through Friday
Benefits are Paid Time Off (PTO) after three months of employment

 

To Apply: 

Please send Resume and Cover Letter by email or snail to:
Email:  director@animeals.com
Mail: 
AniMeals No-Kill Adoption Center
Attn:  Executive Director
1700 Rankin Street
Missoula, MT  59808