Animal Care Specialist - ACA2

If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

POSITION:                 Animal Care Specialist 2 (ACA 2)

STATUS:                    Permanent; Full-Time

SHIFT:                        37.5 Hours per week

LOCATION:                Victoria, BC

CLASSIFICATION:    CUPE 50        

WAGE:                        $25.65 per hour                                                         

CLOSING DATE:       Open Until Filled

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices.  Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website.  We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission and principles. 

The BC SPCA is a dynamic organization with facilities and services across the province of BC. Join an expanding team in an exciting time of change in an organization that makes a difference! Please read below for additional details and let us know if you have the skills and experience we are looking for by submitting your application.

About the Position:

The ACA 2 will be responsible for performing both animal care, and customer service procedures to ensure that the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of all Animal Centre animals is met. This incorporates monitoring the psychological and medical health of Animal Centre animals, administering medications as prescribed by veterinarians, and maintaining kennels and sanitation in all areas of the Animal Centre. The ACA 2 will also be responsible for animal admissions, adoptions, and returns to owners, animal behavior assessments and rehabilitation programs.

Some specific duties:

Animal Care

• Monitor Animal Centre animals daily for signs and symptoms of disease, injury, psychological stress or behavioral problems and records findings on assessments forms. Take appropriate action as required for those needing intervention
• Care for feeding, health and welfare of animals in the Animal Centre
• Perform physical exams and determining animal gender
• Refer any animal needing diagnosis or prescription medication to the Centre Manager for approval to transfer the animals to the veterinarian
• Administrate vaccinations, internal and external parasite treatments as required per Animal Centre policy; clean the animal's ears, arrange for the animal to be groomed or bathed if necessary
• Implant microchips and check for other forms of identification
• Scan for and schedule unaltered animals for surgery
• Transport the animal to the proper kennel area
• Perform euthanasia of Animal Centre animals as required
• Clean and sanitize all animal housing areas at the Animal Centre
• Clean and maintain all other areas of the Animal Centre as assigned
• Maintain equipment provided in good working order

Customer Service

• Provide excellent customer service at all times, both in person and via telephone or electronic communication, as required
• Answer all phone calls and refer appropriate calls to the Centre Manager
• Receive all donations and membership fees ensuring that the individual receives a receipt

• Responsible for all admissions/intake procedures on all incoming animals.
• Administer the animal adoption program, interview prospective owners and pass judgment on appropriateness of adoption, as per Centre policy, recognizing that the Centre Manager provides final approval in all questionable cases
• Convey to the public the Society's position on responsible animal companion ownership. Educate adopters about animal health and behavioral care, training, spaying and neutering and other animal-related issues and distribute approved information handouts on animal care and behavior
• Input and maintain data in Animal Centre Buddy or other software that may be utilized
• Operating the two-way radio system for communications between the Animal Centre and vehicles
• Ensure that the Animal Centre and grounds are kept neat and tidy at all times
• Supervise, train and work in cooperation with volunteers
• Consult with supervisory staff when in question as to procedure or protocol
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Centre Manager
• Pick-up and delivery of animals to veterinarians

Qualifications you need to have:

• Must possess excellent communication and customer service skills
• Must be reliable and able to exercise tact, discretion and judgment in stressful situations
• Must be a team player able to work with volunteers
• Must have good working knowledge of domestic animal breeds, including their dietary requirements, care and maintenance
• Experience in caring for and handling animals in a safe, effective and humane manner
• Training in animal health assessment, care, treatment and disease prevention.
• Experience with animal behaviour and rehabilitation would be an asset
• Ability to use basic hand tools and perform repairs and maintenance to buildings and grounds
• Valid Class N or 5 BC Drivers’ License and driver’s abstract
• Experience with computer software programs is an asset
• Two years’ experience in a related field
• Philosophical harmony with the vision, mission and strategic directions of the BC SPCA

Education Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Preference given to candidates who have completed the UCC Animal Welfare Program or related courses in the care and maintenance of domestic animals
• Prefer, but nor mandatory, a certificate in Dog Education, Training and/or Behavioural Remediation from a recognized organization

How to apply:

If you are interested in joining our team and are legally entitled to work in Canada, we would like to hear from you. Click on apply now or use the link to apply https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/careers/

We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please. 

The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001