Description

Position Summary:

Assist with optimizing ARF’s adoption program by acquiring highly adoptable rescued cats and dogs to maximum use of shelter/adoption center space and meet foundation placement goals. Execute and modify training and behavior plans in collaboration with the training department.

Principal Duties:

• Evaluate animals in source shelters and from the community (owner surrenders, found by good Samaritans, strays, etc.) to determine eligibility to enter ARF’s adoption program with other Rescue staff. Focus on balancing adoption needs and resources available for the rescue of difficult to place animals while giving consideration to behavior and health of animals in other shelters.
• Obtain and evaluate: source shelter records, vaccinations, health history, current medications, animal’s surrender and behavior notes, to determine eligibility to enter ARF’s adoption program.
• Manage behavior cases assigned by your supervisor, the training and behavior manager or shelter trainer.
• Check the general health of animals being admitted and to assist in the vaccination and treatment of animals.
• Ensure cats and dogs with behavior plans have visible instructions or information posted at their condos or rooms.
• Support ARF’s adoption program:
• Assist ARF adoption counselors with feline or canine matches, especially regarding animal behavior or specific animal needs.
• Assist adoptions with canine encounters during adoption hours.
• Ensure behavior modification plans are sent home with adopters of pre-identified cats or dogs.
• Execute behavior modification, and training plans for assigned dogs and cats as directed by training and behavior manager and shelter trainer.
• Develop and implement behavioral enrichment for shelter guests.
• Alert training and behavior manager or shelter trainer when problematic behaviors are not resolving or new behavior concerns require attention.
• Assist with executing behavior, feeding, and walking plans for assigned dogs and cats.
• Conduct dog playgroups for the purposes of enrichment and gathering information about how the dog responds to people and other dogs when off-leash in an enclosed area.
• Assist with dog introductions for the purpose of co-housing dogs on the adoption floor. Giving dogs a ‘roommate’ provides them with social enrichment which may alleviate boredom and stress, increasing their likelihood for adoption.
• Supervise senior volunteers who assist with behavior modification plans for assigned dogs and cats.
• Observe shelter guests for any unusual symptom that may be indicative of a medical or behavioral problem and report to the appropriate supervisor.
• Learn and use proper handling techniques for ARF shelter guests and make certain that all animals are handled, housed, and socialized humanely and safely.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all information.
• Comply with all Federal, State and local safety regulations and laws, as well as ARF policies and guidelines. Follow established procedures governing safe work practices; and perform duties in a manner that assures the safety of oneself and others.
• Interact and communicate with colleagues, volunteers, and the public in a manner thatadvances a culture of positivity, professionalism, trust, transparency, empathy, and excellence at ARF.
• Drive ARF vehicles as assigned by supervisor and follow safe driving practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including occasional assistance with animal care duties or with adoptions.

Qualifications

Physical/Environmental Requirements:

• Work environment includes constant exposure to dogs and cats and their allergens.
• Push/pull moderately heavy objects up to 25 pounds.
• Lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain animals when necessary.
• Walk dogs weighing up to 150 pounds in a variety of weather conditions.
• Kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach above and below shoulder level, grasp and turn objects, stand and/or walk frequently and repetitively throughout each shift.
• Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.
• Dexterity to handle animals and small objects.
• Assess medical and behavior changes in animals using a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, visually and audibly.
• Sit for long and short periods of time using a computer.
• Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived.
• Drive a large automobile for an extended period of time.

Education Requirements:

High school diploma; Training certification or Shelter U certification preferred.

Experience, Abilities and Qualities Required:

• One (1) year experience evaluating, rehabilitating, and/or adopting out shelter animals.
• One (1) year experience working directly with a wide range of cats and dogs.
• Experience in caring for and handling animals in a safe, effective and humane manner, especially larger and possibly untrained pets.
• Knowledge of various dog and cat breeds, behavior, and current general care and training practices.
• Demonstrated practice of reading canine and feline body language with working knowledge of counter conditioning and desensitization techniques.
• Comfortable and skilled in working with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and community.
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License and must not have more than two at-fault incidents in a three-year period and no major at-fault violations in the last ten years, and must be insured.
• Pre-employment background check screening required.
• All ARF employees working on our main campus must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination and booster. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for documented medical purposes and/or sincerely held religious beliefs.

Hours:

Daily reporting hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the division. Weekend, Holiday and evening work may be required; as well as some overnight travel.