Canine Rescue and Transport Program Coordinator

KC Pet Project

Job Description

Position: Canine Rescue & Transport Program Coordinator
Department: Canine Operations
Reports to: Director of Canine Operations
Category: Exempt, salary
Salary range: $40,000.00-$45,000.00
Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday. Some holidays are required.
Supervises: Volunteers supporting the department

Job Purpose:
The Canine Rescue and Transport Program Coordinator is responsible for making life-saving space in the shelter by moving animals offsite to satellite adoption centers or to appropriate licensed rescue programs or animal shelters. The Rescue and Transport Program Coordinator will confer daily with our Behavior and Enrichment staff, Canine Care and Adoptions staff, and our Veterinary Clinic staff to discern adoptability, medical concerns, behavioral concerns, and health status. In addition, this individual will work closely with the Manager of Satellite Adoption Centers, Canine Intake, and Pet Support Center team, to identify and select dogs that are good candidates for adoption through our offsite adoption centers. This individual will also provide support to our Canine Foster department as needed and oversee the small animal program at KC Pet Project. This is a high stress, fast-paced position that requires a high degree of organization, attention to detail, relationship building skills, and a sense of urgency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Establish solid working relationships with licensed rescue organizations and other animal shelters both locally and nationally to move as many dogs out as possible. The rescue program’s emphasis is on finding placement options for harder-to-place and/or longer-term dogs so that they can get medical, behavioral support they need from other organizations equipped to meet their needs.
• Seek & organize opportunities for larger scale animal transport to other animal shelters or rescue groups to maximize life-saving efforts.
• Maintain complete and accurate records for all animals transferred and ensure all records are in accordance with requirements as set forth by the Missouri and Kansas Department of Agriculture.
• Coordinate with medical and behavior staff to ensure animals have been properly vaccinated, and medically & behaviorally assessed. Communicate any medical or behavioral concerns to the appropriate teams.
• Communicate transport details to the respective departments and ensure accuracy in PetPoint of locations for animals moved to offsite adoption centers.
• Monitor open kennels at both offsite adoption centers and proactively work to thoughtfully fill empty kennels at those locations in a timely manner with dogs that are appropriate for those locations.
• Ensure all PetPoint notes are current about animals going to offsite centers, that all vaccinations, microchipping, health certificates, and behavior information is current, and paperwork gathered and organized before animals are transported.
• Load animals in sanitized transport kennels utilizing KCPP vehicles and move them safely and humanely from the main shelter to offsite adoption center locations.
• Understand and adhere to all state Department of Agriculture requirements for documentation and the transporting of animals.
• Work collaboratively with Pet Support Center team on owner relinquishment requests of animals that originated from other rescue organizations and animals shelters to divert intakes.
• Aid support to the Canine Foster Department as needed.
• Responsible for the development and management of the KC Pet Project small animal foster program and the animals placed in those homes from intake to outcome. Developing and implementing new initiatives to recruit new fosters.
• Participate in decision making process for end-of-life consideration for dogs and assist with euthanasia to alleviate stress in behaviorally challenged dogs.
• Engage politely and meaningfully with volunteers to ensure a positive and welcoming environment. Teach and mentor volunteers to ensure their success in meeting the department’s needs.
• Participation in weekly capacity for care rounds in addition to daily tracking of dog population.

Working Conditions:
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, high noise levels, extreme temperatures, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects. Must be able to lift up to 50 lb., sustain long periods of standing, bending, stooping, reaching and animal handling and restraint for various activity levels of animals in an animal shelter-type setting. Must be able to effectively manage and navigate the emotional aspects of animal welfare.

Performance Factors and Necessary Skills:
• Must be organized, patient, and able to communicate orally and in writing with a variety of groups personalities.
• Self-motivated, great attitude, team-oriented a must.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; able to self-manage and make decisions make decisions that are in the best interest of an animal and our organization.
• Strong interpersonal skills. Must be able to work cooperatively with other departments, program managers and staff in a positive and constructive way.
• Ability to handle/learn to handle dogs and small animals of various ages and temperaments.
• Ability to retain professional composure and multitask in a fast-paced, reactive environment.
• Excellent time management ability; able to juggle multiple deadlines and contradictory projects.
• Willingness to drive KCPP transport van daily and load/unload animals from main shelter to their destination.
• Work outside of normal business hours will be required. May be required to drive the organization’s vehicle nights or weekends to deliver animals to other agencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Educational Background:
• High School or equivalent.
• Experience working in an animal shelter or rescue organization for at least one year.
• Demonstrates experience with developing and implementing a program that requires strong networking skills is preferred.
• Any combination of training and experience which demonstrates successful animal handling, sanitation or expertise and the knowledge and skills necessary for this position.
• Exceptional Customer Service ability.
• Basic Computer Literacy (Microsoft Office Programs, ability to learn PetPoint Database system, Slack, AirTable etc.)
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and safe driving record acceptable to the KCPP insurance carrier.

Please note: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This is a full time job