Temporary - Animal Enrichment Specialist (Part-Time)

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus two (2) years of experience in a field related to direct contact with companion animals.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Class “C” driver’s license.

Notes to Applicants
Austin Animal Center Main Building

Who Are We?
Austin Animal Center is the municipal shelter for the City of Austin and unincorporated Travis County, providing shelter to thousands of animals annually as well as providing animal protection and pet resource services. We accept stray and owned animals regardless of age, health, species or breed. Our goal is to place all adoptable animals in forever homes through adoption, foster care, or rescue partner groups- all while achieving a 95% live outcome rate for sheltered pets.

Why work here?
If you love animals and want to make a positive impact on our community this is the place for you!We at Austin Animal Center are committed to the wellbeing of animals in our community and shelter. On a daily basis, the work we do here helps hundreds of animals and people within our network.

What’s the Job?
The Austin Animal Services Center is seeking someone who will share our commitment to deliver exceptional service and care to the animal guests entrusted to us on a daily basis- ensuring they are well behaved, remain active and are happy. This person will work hands-on with dogs of different species, breeds and sizes who may demonstrate a range of behaviors and/or temperaments. They will be responsible for providing mental and physical enrichment for the dogs via a variety of activities including playgroups. They will be responsible for performing accurate daily record keeping and reporting of animal behavior, thorough evaluation write ups, and identifying potential challenges and recommendations for the animals at AAC . This position is a physically and emotionally demanding job requiring the ability to safely and humanely handle animals and deal with the public in a courteous and professional manner.

Regarding Your Application:

• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.

If you are selected for hire:

• A Criminal Background check ( CBI ) will be conducted.

Additional Information:

• The Animal Service Office location is tobacco-free. Tobacco products and e-cigarettes are prohibited on any ASO worksite - including construction sites, parking lots, or personal vehicles.

Safety and or Physical Requirements:

• Tasks involve bending, lifting, walking and carrying or using a force equal to lifting fifty pounds or heavier. Must be able to work outdoors and in extreme weather conditions.

Please Note this posting may close any time after 7 days
Pay Range
$22.82 per hour
Hours
This position will work 20 hours per week. Must have the ability to have a flexible work schedule including but not limited to: working mornings, evenings, holidays and full days on the weekends.
Job Close Date 12/23/2024 Type of Posting External Department Animal Services Regular/Temporary Temporary (No benefits) Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location Austin Animal Center, 7201 Levander Loop Bldg A 78702 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Demonstrated professional experience in positive reinforcement based training and playgroups/dog socialization.
• Demonstrated skill in safely handling animals, including those with behavior issues.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills (including customer service) to help animals find their forever homes and to occasionally diffuse difficult situations.
• Ability to prioritize in a fast paced environment and ability to manage the emotions and stress of working with animals in a shelter environment.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Performs animal behavior assessments Makes and distributes daily in-kennel enrichment items to dogs and cats. Ensures all sheltered animals receive regular exercise and enrichment including leading shelter dog playgroups of groups of 5 to 25 dogs at a time. Creates support programs for animals with behavior challenges. Consults with supervisors/managers about shelter enrichment activities to improve adoptability, and to treat and prevent behavior problems. Creates programs that reduce shelter intake, increases live outcomes and reports results of activities to meet Shelter goals. Provides behavior consultation with adopters and options for pet owners who are considering surrendering their pet. Reviews, revises and monitors behavior evaluation protocols and procedures related to animal behavior, evaluations and assessments, in kennel enrichment, play groups, kennel breaks and behavior modification Coordinates activities with other staff and with outside agencies. Maintains databases and compiles and writes reports of activities. Develops behavior related information for dissemination in the community. Conduct public workshops and training classes and trains volunteers to facilitate programs for other volunteers and members of the public. Trains shelter staff and volunteers on animal behavior and safe handling of cats and dogs. Serve on the euthanasia review team, helping to make outcome decisions for behaviorally at-risk dogs.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Provides leadership to resolve disputes and mediates complaints at the lowest possible level.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Skill in safely handling animals, including those with unknown temperament.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws pertaining to animals, including rabies and animal control.
• Knowledge of animal services and related programs.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication.
• Skill in using good judgment and in resolving problems and conflicts.
• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques and principles.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees, media, animal welfare organizations and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires a Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus two (2) years of experience in a field related to direct contact with companion animals. Do you meet the minimum requirements?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a Texas Class C Drivers License. Do you have a Texas Class C Drivers License or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a Texas Class C Drivers License by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).

* Are you able to work weekends, holidays and extended shifts as required by the position?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe in detail the professional or formal educational experience you have in conducting either behavioral assessments or positive reinforcement training with companion animals
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your understanding of dog behavior and science-based modification techniques, and demonstrated skill in safely handling animals including those with behavior issues.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your customer service experience dealing with the public through telephone, email and face-to-face interactions.
(Open Ended Question)
* Briefly describe your experience working in a high stress, high volume work environment with changing priorities?
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents Resume

• 

• City of Austin

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