Location: 1285 County Home Rd, Waterville
Number of Positions: 1
Job Start Date: June
Job Competition Closes: When position is filled
Job Type: Full time
Salary: $15.50 /hr
A Shelter’s Animal Care Attendant is a key member of the Nova Scotia SPCA team. This individual participates in the day-to-day animal care and operational practices of an Animal Shelter making certain they are compliant with the Society’s animal care standards.
Responsibilities
Assures all nutritional, housing, grooming and medical needs are met on a daily basis according to approved processes. Is responsible for maintaining a safe and sanitary facility for animals and people. Provides humane handling and care for all shelter animals.
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
- Responsible for all duties related to the care of animals (ex: cleaning of the holding areas, assuring that animals receive food and water, bathing and basic grooming, cleaning animal dishes, doing shelter laundry, etc);
- Providing humane handling and restraining techniques;
- Observing animals for signs of illnesses or injuries and reports symptoms to the appropriate personnel;
- Assisting Animal Care Technicians as required by restraining animals, grooming, health checks, flea treatments and administering parasite control and medications;
- Performing requested tasks for shelter maintenance. This may include lawn and garden work, deep-cleaning duties, organizing storage areas, and other regular upkeep and maintenance duties;
- Cleaning all equipment and work areas to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitation by following health and safety regulations and protocols;
- Maintaining accurate records for animal inventory, health, medications, treatments, procedures and behaviour history;
- Providing excellent customer service, handling phone calls, provide rescue and adoption information;
- Performing a wide range of administrative and clerical duties and working well with low supervision;
- Maintaining positive interactions with the public, staff and volunteers in a fast paced, sometimes hectic and noisy environment while remaining kind, calm, resourceful and efficient;
- Assisting members of the public in person, over the phone and via email communication, and;
- Completing other duties as required.
In addition to the duties listed above, the SPCA expects the following of each employee:
- adhere to policies and procedures;
- works in a safe manner;
- acts as a role model within and outside the shelter;
- performs duties as workload necessitates;
- maintains a positive and respectful attitude;
- communicates regularly with supervisor about issues;
- demonstrates efficient time management and prioritizes workload;
- consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of the position; and,
- participates in events and on committees as needed or required.
Qualifications/Requirements
- Applicants must be extremely dependable, with flexible availability. Weekends will be part of the regular weekly schedule, and some evenings may also be required.
- All applicants must have a Class 5 driver’s license. Newly licensed drivers (either Learners or Class 5N) are not accepted.
- Physical ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday required.
- Physical ability to work from a step ladder, reach/stretch overhead, and work from a crouched/kneeling position.
- Physical ability to lift and carry 40 pounds regularly.
- Working conditions include, but are not limited to: working alone, working outside in varying weather conditions, frequent interruptions, and some meetings.
- Employee must demonstrate ability to work effectively with others (including co-workers, customers, volunteers and others) by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; and addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions.
Assets
The following skills would be part of the training for the position. Previous knowledge of these skills is considered an asset.
- Demonstrate animal control knowledge, including proper restraining techniques.
- Knowledge of animal behaviours, and basic obedience training methods.
- Ability to identify species, breeds, age and sex of animals.
- Ability to identify signs of animal illnesses, diseases and injuries.
- Ability to identify different medications and methods of administration.
- Ability to perform sanitation procedures and general maintenance.
Nova Scotia SPCA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified applicants, regardless of gender, race, age, sexuality, or disability. The Society provides a competitive salary, benefit package and a rewarding work environment. Interested applicants are asked to submit their resume and cover letter to resumes@spcans.ca. It is our intention to start reviewing resume’s on immediately and to quickly start the interview process. However, as long as this job description remains posted it is an indication that the position has not been filled and we are still accepting resumes.
Please quote ”SPCA Kings Student” in the subject heading in your email reply.
We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at the Nova Scotia SPCA, however; only those selected for interview will be contacted.
