Position Summary:

Assist with optimizing Joybound’s adoption, mobile, and Shelter-to-Service programs by transferring highly adoptable cats and dogs to maximize use of shelter/adoption center space and meet the organization’s placement goals. Execute and modify training and behavior plans in collaboration with the Shelter wellbeing department.

Principal Duties:

• Interact and communicate with colleagues, volunteers, and the public in a manner that advances a culture of positivity, professionalism, trust, transparency, empathy, and excellence at Joybound.
• Evaluate animals in source shelters and from the community (owner surrenders, found by good Samaritans, strays, etc.) to determine eligibility to enter Joybound’s adoption, mobile, and Shelter-to-Service programs with other Rescue staff. Focus on balancing adoption needs and resources available for the rescue of difficult-to-place animals while considering behavior and health of animals in other shelters.
• Act as the point person on Rescue Runs which can include acting as a point of contact between Joybound and the source shelter, reviewing and obtaining source shelter paperwork, ensuring vehicle safety checks are completed and documented, overseeing time management, and more.
• Obtain and evaluate source shelter records, vaccinations, health history, current medications, animal surrender, and behavior notes, to determine eligibility to enter Joybound’s programs.
• Manage behavior cases assigned by your supervisor, the Director of Training and Enrichment, or the shelter trainer.
• Check the general health of animals being admitted and assist in the vaccination and treatment of animals.
• Maintain patient records by accurately recording treatments and test results on patient charts and other medical records.
• Ensure cats and dogs with behavior plans have visible instructions or information posted at their condos or rooms.
• Support Joybound’s adoption program:
• Assist Joybound 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 the Director of Training and Enrichment and shelter trainers.
• Develop and implement behavioral enrichment for shelter guests.
• Alert Director of Training and Enrichment, or shelter trainer when problematic behaviors are not resolved, or new behavior concerns require attention.
• Assist with executing behavior, feeding, and walking plans for assigned dogs and cats.
• Conduct dog playgroups for 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 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 of adoption.
• Supervise volunteers who assist with behavior modification plans for assigned dogs and cats.
• Observe shelter guests for any unusual clinical signs that may be indicative of a medical or behavioral problem and report to the appropriate supervisor.
• Learn and use proper handling techniques for Joybound 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 Joybound policies and guidelines. Follow established procedures governing safe work practices; and perform duties in a manner that assures the safety of oneself and others.
• Drive Joybound vehicles as assigned by the supervisor and follow safe driving practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including occasional assistance with animal care duties or with adoptions.

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 humanely restrain animals when necessary.
• Able to use small hospital equipment such as syringes to administer treatments and vaccines.
• 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, and 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 using a computer.
• Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived.
• Drive a large automobile for an extended period.

Education Requirements:

• High school diploma; Training certification or Shelter U certification preferred.
• Experience, Abilities, and Qualities Required:
• Two (2) years' experience evaluating, rehabilitating, and/or adopting shelter animals.
• Two (2) years' 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 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 counterconditioning 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 three years and no major at-fault violations in the last ten years and must be insured.
• Pre-employment background check screening required.

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.