Jobs at SAS

Provide high-quality medical care and enrichment for shelter pets. 

Hours:   Full-time, non exempt

Reports to: Director of Programs and Operations

Schedule:  Sun-Thurs 8:30 am to 5:00 pm with occasional flexibility

Job Description Summary: 

This position’s primary duties are to be responsible for ensuring the animals in the shelter receive the medical care they need as well as some enrichment and other direct animal care responsibilities. With an emphasis on coordinating all medical care, other duties will include but are not limited to providing general animal care (especially when volunteer support is unavailable each day), controlling medical inventory (including ordering supplies), inputting medical information in our animal shelter database working closely with veterinarians, and providing medical support for foster parents (on call).  Animal handling experience and basic veterinary assistant experience required. We are looking for someone who is highly motivated, able to work in a team environment with a positive attitude with great communication skill and is able to work independently.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

· Provide all intake vaccines and preventatives.

· Provide all routine vaccines and  preventatives.

· Provide all prescribed medication.

· Maintain and keep up to date each animal’s medical records.

· Work with the contracted veterinarian to provide medical exams for each animal.

· Coordinate/schedule veterinary appointments to outside clinics.

· Coordinate the transport of animals to outside vet clinic appointments.

· Communicate staff and volunteer concerns to the veterinarian.

· Drop off prescriptions and pick-up prescriptions.

· Coordinate and schedule surgery days for any/all animals.

· Coordinate and schedule surgery for feral cats and work closely with trappers.

· Provide a basic exam for all animals in the shelter on a daily basis.

· Review the medical binders that are filled in by volunteers and staff when a problem is observed.

· Review the behavior binders that are filled in by volunteers as well as our Dog Training Coordinator and help provide the training (for dogs) and enrichment needs each animal requires.

· Ensure any/all medical concerns that are written in the medical binder are addressed, including with follow-up with the veterinarian when needed.

· Understand when a medical issue is an emergency and when the animal needs to go to the hospital.

· Maintain adequate inventory of medical supplies.

· Effectively relay staff concerns about the animals to the shelter veterinarian.

· Be on call for foster parents to ask medical related questions and be able to tell them when an animal should be seen by a veterinarian by appointment or when it is an emergency, and a hospital visit is required.

· Contain and monitor sick animals to prevent outbreaks and cross contamination of illnesses.

· Place an emphasis on a high standard of care for all animals to ensure their physical well-being and emotional wellbeing. 

· Provide daily enrichment to animals through food puzzles, treats, scents, enrichment toys and games. 

· Help with basic, direct animal care when volunteers are unable to provide the basic cleaning/care.

· Communicate updates/important information to staff regularly.

· Attend meetings on an as needed basis.

· Work well and closely with the Intake and Adoption Manager and the Dog Training Coordinator to help create a successful pathway through the shelter for each animal.

· Help to perform adoptions and intakes when needed.

· Any other duties requested by direct supervisor. 

· Carry out all these duties and responsibilities with a positive attitude and work well with a team.

· Comply with all current shelter policies.

· Comply with legal requirements for handling controlled substances & medications.

Requirements and Preferences:

· Must have a reliable vehicle that is able to fit more than one animal safely.

· At least two years’ experience working hands-on with animals in a shelter environment.

· Must have basic knowledge of medical care for animals and be able to provide basic independently. 

· Must have at least one year experience working directly with shelter veterinarians.

· Must understand population management to ensure safety for all the animals within our shelter.

· Must be able to safely and humanely handle a wide variety of species with safety equipment when appropriate.

· Must be able to handle potentially aggressive animals safely and humanely.

· Must have a positive attitude and be genuinely motivated to accomplish tasks efficiently and thoroughly.

· Must have exceptional communication skills.

· Must be able to lift 50lb.

· Bachelors degree preferred. 

Policies and Procedures: 

·Comply with all state, local and federal laws as well as the rules and regulations set forth by the Department of Agriculture. 

· Comply with all current shelter policies, procedures and philosophies including but not limited to our Culture Statement.

To apply for this position, please email your cover letter and resume.

The Scituate Animal Shelter is an equal opportunity organization. Volunteers and employees will be chosen without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical/mental disability or marital status in accordance with the state and federal law and because we believe it is the right thing to do.