POSITION SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the transfer and assessment supervisor, the animal intake and assessment coordinator supports the daily completion of tasks related to animal intake including vaccines, health checks, assessments, enrichment, and assistance with behavior support programs when assigned. The animal intake and assessment coordinator models best practices and supports the training of shelter volunteers and employees in animal enrichment strategies.

DEPARTMENT: Behavior and Sheltering
REPORTS TO: Transfer and Assessment Supervisor
NUMBER OF DIRECT REPORTS: 0
STATUS: Full-time, hourly, non-exempt
SCHEDULE: 40 hours, variable, at least one weekend day is required

MISSION

Foothills Animal Shelters mission is: Providing support to our surrounding community through education, services that strengthen the human-pet bond, and humane care for the animals we serve.

VALUES

All employees and volunteers are expected to embody the Shelters Values which are to have honesty and integrity in all that we do, with the following values as our guide:

• Stewardship: Assume responsibility and ownership for our actions within our shelter and our community.
• Positive Culture: Create a safe, supportive environment for the health, wellbeing, and development of staff and volunteers.
• Openness: Nurture an innovative, inclusive, and creative environment that cultivates conversations and relationships that actively work towards the future.
• Team Oriented: Build relationships, embrace teamwork, and foster collaboration in pursuit of our Mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Completes intakes, vaccines, and initial behavior and health evaluations for animals to support their best outcome.
• Helps to ensure appropriate placement, enrichment, and decision making for the shelters animal population.
• Conducts behavior assessments for the Shelters dogs and cats.
• Under the direction of the department's leadership, takes point for enrichment and behavior maintenance plans. Assists behavior counselors in the execution of behavior support plans as needed.
• Serves as a positive role model to staff and volunteers while modeling force free positive reinforcement training and behavior strategies.
• Works closely with volunteer dog and cat handlers by offering daily guidance and support.
• Coordinates with foster department to prepare foster animals and applicable supplies for departure and return.
• Coordinates and supervises dog/dog interaction for assessment, enrichment, and/or behavior change.
• Works closely with the shelters health care team to identify any medical related needs.
• Utilizes the Shelters animal management database and reporting to streamline animal processing and movement.
• Assists with coordination of kenneling and movement of animals efficiently and with correct contagion control procedures.
• Supports the shelter services team with animal intake and animal behavior as needed.
• Maintains good working relationships with and supports other Shelter departments.
• Supports the Shelters Animal Control partners by maintaining effective communication with officers and providing support with animal handling as needed.
• Performs euthanasia as dictated by the policies of the organization in a timely and compassionate manner, ensuring that all appropriate safety procedures are followed, and appropriate documentation is completed per DEA requirements.
• Follows all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment and takes immediate action to address any safety concern or noncompliance with safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in animal sheltering or similar professional animal care field preferred.
• Professional or educational experience in animal learning theory, animal behavior, and positive-based force-free animal training preferred.
• Professional or educational experience with basic veterinary procedures such as vaccinations, medication delivery, observation documentation and veterinary restraint strategies preferred.
• Fear Free Shelter certified or become Fear Free Shelter certified within 60 days of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• General knowledge of animal care, treatments, disease, and proper, fear-free restraint of animals of various sizes, weights, and temperaments.
• Ability to multi-task and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment while providing courteous service to potentially difficult, emotional, or frustrated clients.
• Actively contributes to a supportive team and environment by demonstrating resilience and optimism while undertaking challenging tasks to accomplish our mission.
• Ability to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality when dealing with proprietary information and sensitive situations.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft office including word processing, spread sheets, meeting software and email; proficient with animal management software and databases.
• Working knowledge of animal sheltering practices; highly supportive of open admissions philosophy.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of people and personality types.
• Euthanasia certified or capable of certifying within six months of start date.
• Valid driver license with insurable driving record preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must possess a current rabies vaccination or the ability to obtain one.
• Ten-hour shifts with frequent standing on hard floors, walking, bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting, and lifting.
• Noise, odors, chemical fumes, animal hair/dander are encountered due to equipment and animals.
• Subject to animal bites and scratches.
• Lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to be outdoors in all weather conditions year-round.

EQUIPMENT USED

• Animal handling equipment and assessment tools: slip leads, catch poles, etc.
• Veterinary equipment and tools including needles, syringes, etc.
• Animal and shelter management software.
• Vehicle use (company provided and personal).
• Chemicals and cleaning tools to provide care for the animals.

About Foothills Animal Shelter: As an open admission shelter, our doors are always open to pets in Jefferson County, and we are committed to serving our community as a socially-conscious shelter. We care for more than 8,000 dogs, cats, and small animals every year with a compassionate team of staff and volunteers. We are a community resource and offer a variety of services including pet adoption, supporting animals and patrons in need through our Better Together programs, Jefferson County pet licensing, and reuniting lost pets with their families. The Shelter is established under an intergovernmental agreement between Jefferson County, the City of Arvada, the City of Lakewood, the City of Wheat Ridge, the City of Golden, the City of Westminster and the City of Edgewater.

Benefits: Foothills Animal Shelter offers a competitive total compensation package. Employees become eligible for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and other supplemental benefits after 60 days of employment. Foothills offers coverage of the premiums for employee medical, dental, vision, and long-term disability plans. Employees earn sick and vacation time each pay period, plus six recognized holidays. After six months of employment, employees are eligible for a 401K retirement plan that we will match up to 4%.