ANIMAL CARE ASSOCIATE, ASHTABULA COUNTY ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEAGUE at Ashtabula County Animal Protective League in Ashtabula, OH

Job Description

ASHTABULA COUNTY APL, 5970 Green Road, Ashtabula, OH  44004, 440.224.1222, mglauser@acapl.org

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and three references to mglauser@acapl.org with subject line Animal Care Manager or mail materials to Ashtabula County APL, Attn. Executive Director, 5970 Green Road, Ashtabula, OR  44004

This position is all inclusive of all animal care and enrichment positions.  VISION-Provide the best possible care, comfort and compassion for animals residing at ACAPL.  Seeing the best possible outcome for every animal within our care.  Understanding the unique qualities of each animal and offering enrichment and engagement to improve their quality of life and ability to be adopted.

Position Overview:  Provide all animals in Ashtabula County APL care with professional, conscientious, compassionate care, meeting physical and behavioral needs; Handle dogs and cats and occasional other animals of all sizes, ages, temperaments and needs safely and appropriately; Follow and maintain excellent knowledge of organization cleaning, sanitation, and disease prevention protocols in order to provide a safe, clean environment for all; Provide all animals with appropriate housing, food, water, bedding, toys and other mental stimulation and enrichment, social interaction with humans and, where appropriate, members of own species; Maintain excellent knowledge of all shelter standard medical procedures, vaccines, preventatives, and common diseases and their symptoms, transmission, prevention; Monitor health of animals and rapidly identify any health or behavioral issues and report to Animal Care Manager or Executive Director; Work with staff and volunteers to get to know, provide for, transition, and promote adoptable animals.  Ensure all animals are clearly and consistently marked with accurate, up-to-date, easy to read information; Assist veterinary staff by properly administering or restraining for vaccinations, microchips, blood draws, medications, and restraining for exams; Provide basic grooming services to shelter animals as needed; provide professional, compassionate, stellar customer service to all who visit, call, volunteer, and donate; Actively engage members of the public from the moment they arrive, assist and answer any questions; Maintain knowledge of an communicate intake, adoptions, and public Veterinary Care procedures as well as procedures and contact information for all organization programs and departments.

Specific Skills:  Compassion and empathy for animal and human clients; Strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills; Maturity, good judgment and professionalism; Ability to work individually and on a team, multi-task and self-start; Ability to remain calm and empathic in stressful situations.

Conditions:  Indoors in a high noise air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at shelter or on location for various activities; Equipment use includes use of PC, printer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, and cleaning equipment and supplies; work hours will vary, generally hours are scheduled between 7am – 7pm.  Weekend and holiday hours are required; Regular exposure to animals and their bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, bites, and scratches; Heavy lifting and/or moving 50 lbs; Regular upright movement, such as standing or walking; Working independently, with minimal supervision; Working in this field requires the development of self-care skills to combat compassion fatigue.

Special Requirements:  Possess a valid driver’s license.

NOTE:  This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive.  You may be required to perform other related duties within your skill set as negotiated and/or directed to meet the ongoing needs of your department and the organization.