Canine Care Team Lead

Humane Society for Southwest Washington

Job Description

Canine Care Team Lead

The Canine Care Team Lead coordinates the daily work of Animal Care Technicians, volunteers, workforce partners to ensure that all team areas are clean, animals are cared for, and processes are on track according to protocol. The Animal Care Team Lead is the team’s primary subject matter expert regarding these tasks and is the primary trainer for new staff, volunteers, workforce partners and community work crews. The Canine Care Team Lead is expected to participate in HSSW professional development coursework and activities and will assist the Animal Care Manager in the professional development of the team.

The Ideal Canine Care Team Lead

Displays interest, enthusiasm, and an affinity for working with both people and animals.
Demonstrates an attitude of being in service; using good judgment; maintaining a positive outlook; and, ideally, a sense of humor.
Works well on a team and demonstrates an attitude and commitment to collaboration with a sincere interest in helping others succeed.
Is committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team.
Exhibits an approach to adaptability through overcoming obstacles to achieve results, remaining flexible and open to new ideas, recognizes and encourages others to understand changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as the basis and value for transformation.
Is committed to personal and professional development through life-long learning.

Team Lead Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Responsible for training team of staff and workforce partners to perform the essential Animal Care Technician duties according to Standard Operating Procedures efficiently and effectively.
Promote the development of tactical skills needed for promoting the advancement of HSSW’s strategic goals and mission.
Assist supervisors in delegation, implementation, and oversight of the workflow of assigned staff, volunteers, and workforce partners. Open/close facility as necessary.
Assist supervisor with hiring new department personnel and provide feedback for staff evaluations, coaching/support & goal setting opportunities.
Communicate effectively and empathetically with visitors, staff & volunteers. Make decisions and solves issues that are within the team lead scope of authority, actively seeks guidance from leadership when appropriate.
Promote communication and cooperation between departments. Recognize the need of other departments and work to adjust personnel to help when applicable. Actively support volunteer programs by attending appropriate meetings and trainings.
Take immediate action to remedy safety issues, incidents, or equipment failures. Responsible for addressing safety concerns or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, workforce partner, client, animal, or the organization at risk.
Follow all safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.

Animal Care Duties & Responsibilities

Recognize symptoms and provide supportive care for animals suffering from common diseases.
Perform animal care technician duties as needed, including cleaning, and sanitizing of kennels, cages, and public areas, following shelter protocols to ensure a safe, healthy environment.

Required Qualifications

Must be able to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
Must know how to operate MS Office programs and other related software.

Required Experience

Teaching, training, coaching &/or mentoring.
Animal Handling

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Primary workplace is at an animal shelter that operates 7 days per week, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals and with potential exposure to fractious animals; high noise levels; zoonotic diseases; animal bites and scratches; cleaning chemicals and allergens. Potential exposure of infectious diseases to owned animals. This position will be scheduled for up to 10 hours per day with appropriate breaks and lunch. This is a physically demanding position with physical requirements that may include occasional lifting of up to fifty pounds with assistance.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship. HSSW participates in E-Verify.

Compensation

Hourly pay starts at $18.35 and is within a pay range that extends up to 19.65 per hour. Pay increases are obtained depending on core competencies, experience, attitude, work ethic, commitment to teamwork, learning ability, and organizational budget.

Full Time Employee Benefits

In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose; full-time employees currently enjoy the following benefits and employee perks.

Health, dental, and vision insurance benefits that become effective the first of the month after hire.
Matching percentage 401 (k) retirement plan that begins the first month after hire, has a 3-year graded vestment schedule and a ROTH contribution option.
Employee assistance program for all household member access.
Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses.
Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.
Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
As a 501c3 non-profit organization, full-time employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness with the potential to eliminate student loans within 10 years!

Paid Time Off (PTO)

This position accrues PTO at a rate of 0.046 hours for every hour worked. Working 40 hours per week equates to about 96 hours per year. Additional Paid time includes:

Floating Holidays
Bereavement leave.
Pet bereavement leave.
Jury duty pay.
The ability to build a long-term sick-leave bank.