Animal Care Supervisor

Description

Job Title: Animal Care Supervisor

Department: Animal Care

Reports To: Senior Animal Welfare Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Range (S1): Hiring Range: $24.00 - $27.00 per hour; Salary Range: $24.00 - $31.05 per hour

Typical Schedule: Full-time. Schedule will include weekend/holiday work.

Overview:

The Sacramento SPCA is a vibrant, well-established and respected non-profit animal welfare organization. Through our nationally-ranked high-volume spay and neuter clinic (we are ranked as one of the top 10 clinics in the country!), successful adoption program, behavior and training programs and commitment to excellent animal care, the Sacramento SPCA is giving more than shelter and saving animals, one life at a time.

Position Summary:

The Animal Care Supervisor plays a key role in the development and success of the Animal Care Department. This role requires interpersonal skills and an understanding of the importance of developing meaningful relationships. A successful incumbent in this position is able to inspire and motivate teamwork for achieving goals by providing education, support, and positive communication with each staff member and volunteer. This position demands the ability to lead by example, and confidently make decisions.   

An Animal Care Supervisor displays strong leadership ability and is able to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and the public. The Supervisor shares our commitment to delivering the highest quality compassion and care to our shelter animals and provides an exceptional customer experience every day. The incumbent helps staff understand the organization’s need for continued improvement and exemplary service. Schedule includes weekend/holiday work.

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform all tasks of Animal Care Attendants I, II, and III with proficiency and accuracy.
• Responsible for the supervision of the Animal Care staff and volunteers. Serves as the initial point of contact for issues or concerns of the Animal Care staff and volunteers.
• Answer team member questions, helps with team member problems, and oversees team member work for quality and guideline compliance.
• Responsible for developing comradery and facilitating a cooperative workplace within the Animal Care departmental staff and volunteers.
• Able to provide friendly customer service and accurate information to the public, volunteers, and co-workers in a positive, courteous, truthful and tactful manner.
• Willing to attend meetings and training sessions as required. Works with the Managers and Supervisors to create a successful team environment. 
• Assist in the hiring of new Animal Care Staff including reviewing and communicating with potential new hires for Animal Care.
• Assist with the onboarding of new staff within Animal Care and other departments throughout the organization.
•  Lead monthly staff meetings for Animal Care.
• Coordinate monthly Supervisor meetings within Animal Care and Operations teams.
• Assist Animal Welfare Manager in creating policy/procedure changes within Animal Care.
• Assist Animal Welfare Manager in writing and administering of reviews for Animal Care Staff.
• Assist in the writing and administration of Performance Improvement Plans and disciplinary actions for Animal Care Staff.
• Responsible for the determination of all internal animals for euthanasia under the guidelines of the Animal Behavior and Shelter Medicine Departments.
• Perform, or assist with, the euthanasia of shelter and public animals by established laws and Sacramento SPCA policy; dispose of euthanized animals by established Sacramento SPCA procedure, maintain daily records, and maintain all cabinets containing DEA controlled substances – ensuring all are locked and secured at all times.
• Clean and disinfect animal cages, hallways, floors, walls, and isolation/quarantine areas throughout the shelter.
• Responsible for feeding, watering, walking and exercising all shelter animals daily.
• Responsible for daily and periodic checks regarding animal health, safety, cleanliness and overall well-being and reporting any significant problems immediately Shelter Medical Team.
• Must be punctual and maintain regular, predictable attendance.
• Must be committed to a high standard of safety, be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and employer’s safety policies /rules, and must be willing to report safety violations, potential safety violations to appropriate management personnel.
• Assist Shelter Medicine Team with the distribution of various medical and observation charts, medication, and feeding procedures.
• Assist in the administration of vaccinations, treatments, medications, and completes preliminary physical examinations designated by the Shelter Medicine Team.
• Assist with the behavior evaluation of all internal dogs and cats under the guidelines of the Animal Behavior Department.
•  Assist the Animal Behavior, Intake, Adoptions, and Release departments in the transferring of animals in their absence.
• Assist in maintaining the inventory of Animal Care.
• Communicate with public or outside agencies involving Animal Care. 
• Assist in examining and processing all internal animals received at the Sacramento SPCA which includes properly completing required paperwork.
• Support Animal Welfare Manager and perform management duties when manager is absent or out of office.
• Serve as backup for other SSPCA departments and is able to fill in for Essential Team Members of other departments when needed. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leads by example in achieving the organization's goals of delivering excellent customer service and making meaningful relationships.
• Treats all animals humanely, with compassion and concern, both on and off the job, and transmit these values to others.
• Continually develops shelter education and knowledge and educates the public about animal welfare both at the shelter and in the community.
• Assists in the development and re-invention of the Animal Care Department with a goal of continued success and growth in the future. 
• Assists with tours, lectures, public education programs, fundraising activities, and special events as needed.
• Displays constant professionalism and model the standard of conduct for all employees.
• Attends monthly Department meetings and attends continuing education training sessions.
• Recognizes opportunities to assist other staff members in their growth and advancement in the organization.
• Work with our Spay and Neuter clinic in maintaining a regular and accurate alteration schedule.
• Must be punctual and maintain regular, predictable attendance.
• May work either day or evening shift. As the closing supervisor, ensure all buildings are secured, locked, and all alarms set before exiting the shelter campus.
• Attends external Supervisory and Management continuing education to assist in professional growth in the organization.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced animal care knowledge of domestic animals including breeds, behavior, appropriate care and housing, common health problems, disease symptoms and handling techniques.
• Must be able to work independently, and able to manage own workload regularly.
• Ability to read and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Basic computer skills using standard office programs such as Word or similar programs.
• Ability to write reports and correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one on one and small group situations to customers, clients and other employees of the organization.
• Valid California Driver’s license. 

Education and Experience:

• High school graduate or GED equivalent.
• Associate's degree in a related field is preferred. Relevant experience may be substituted for education.
• At least two years of supervisory experience required.
• One year related animal care experience in an animal shelter or veterinary hospital is required.

Physical Requirements:

• Any allergic condition that would be aggravated from exposure or through contact with animals or chemicals used to sanitize facilities, vehicles or equipment, may be a disqualification.
• Use hands/arms for repetitive grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation. This job involves the use of computers for data entry and e-mail communication, as well as the use of telephones.
• Must stand, sit, walk, bend and stoop frequently to perform duties. Must have the ability to perform prolonged strenuous physical activity, including lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone or up to 100 pounds with the help of fellow employees for short distances.

Working Conditions:

• Standard office, animal care, public, and surgical environment with exposure to hazardous chemicals, anesthetics and sharp objects.
• May be exposed to challenging behaviors from members of the public. Must be able to respond to an often times emotion-charged public and carry a fast-paced and changing workload which at times can be stressful.
• By nature of the industry, there may be occasional exposure to dead, injured, sick, unruly, vicious, and/or dangerous animals in addition to exposure to parasites and to infectious diseases. 
• Must be available and willing to work such weekends, holidays, overtime, and attend mandatory training and meetings as the employer determines are necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Either?employer or employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without notice and with or without cause.