1. OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB
Promote and maintain the health and wellbeing of the animals in the Centre, establish good customer relations and maintain administration procedures in use.
2. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
ANIMAL WELFARE
- Required to complete the Society Foundation Training (previously Standard Procedures)
- Admit, care for and rehome animals within the branches care, in accordance with the centres policies and procedures.
- Prepare and provide food and water for all animals in the centre.
- Attend to the needs of individual animals, including exercise, coat care / grooming, administration of first aid, treatments and medications as directed.
- Carry out checks on animals, including the taking of temperature and inspection of eyes, ear, nose and throat for signs of infection or abnormality, reporting any concerns to the centre supervisor or manager.
- Assist with the inspection and/or treatment of animals by a veterinary surgeon, or other authorised person at the centre.
- Assist with the humane euthanasia of animals, including carcass disposal
- Carry out routine animal behaviour monitoring/assessment prior to rehoming, adhere to behavioural training plans in place. Keeping the centre manager informed of progress and raising any cause for concerns.
- Clean, disinfect and maintain to the standard of cleanliness set by the centre manager, animal accommodation, isolation and exercise areas, food preparation, laundry, storage and treatment facilities, including kitchens, toilets and outside areas.
- Ensure buildings and exercise areas are secure at all times.
CUSTOMER CARE
Attend to the needs of the general public/clients/customers in a professional manner, face to face or via the telephone and to liaise with colleagues and volunteers as appropriate.
ADMINISTRATION
- Complete and maintain records, registers and statistics as required by management
- Maintain/monitor daily animal records and general administrative duties.
- Ensure safe receipt of money and donated goods
- Undertake other duties as required by the Animal Centre Manager and Animal Care Supervisor.
GENERAL
- Cover a maximum of two overnight duties each week if required.
- Follow the branch’s policies and procedures
To undertake other duties as required by the Animal Centre Manager or Supervisor, including:
- Drive the branch vehicle on branch business, holding a full driving licence
- Attend meetings and training courses as required.
- Assist with educational visits/talks
- Participate in fundraising or publicity events
- Undertaking and/or arranging rehoming home visits and post adoption advice to clients.
- Implanting of microchips, after relevant training, and completion of microchip records.
- Assisting with animal promotional initiatives
- Support centre volunteers and volunteer fostering service
- Assisting to ensure the health and safety of staff, volunteers and customers.
- Take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts and omissions.
In addition to your normal duties, you may be required to undertake such other reasonable duties as requested by the Animal Centre Manager or Supervisor
Note: this job description is a statement of the job as agreed at March 2019 and should not be seen as precluding future changes that may be deemed necessary by the trustees.
PERSON SPECIFICATION: ANIMAL CARE ASSISTANT
EDUCATION & TRAINING
- ESSENTIAL – Good general level of education.
- ESSENTIAL – Recognised animal care qualification
- DESIRABLE – Trained in RSPCA standard procedures / Foundation Training
EXPERIENCE
- ESSENTIAL – Knowledge of and experience in animal behaviour and animal husbandry relating to dogs and cats within a kennels and cattery environment
SPECIAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- ESSENTIAL – Good interpersonal skills
- ESSENTIAL – Able to work under direction from superiors but equally able to use own initiative.
- ESSENTIAL – Sympathy for animal welfare and the work of the RSPCA
- ESSENTIAL – Committed to animal welfare and the work of the RSPCA
- DESIRABLE – Knowledge of animal welfare issues, particularly as they relate to RSPCA policy and practice
- DESIRABLE – Health and safety knowledge and awareness
- DESIRABLE – Computer literate
- DESIRABLE – Ability to use databases accurately and effectively
PERSONALITY & DISPOSITION
- ESSENTIAL – Willingness to learn and acquire new skills through training
- ESSENTIAL – Honest, trustworthy and reliable
- ESSENTIAL – Good time keeping
- ESSENTIAL – Smart and tidy appearance
- ESSENTIAL – Flexible approach
- ESSENTIAL – Effective team worker
- ESSENTIAL – Open approach to new ideas
- ESSENTIAL – Physically fit
- DESIRABLE – Experience of dealing with customers in the workplace.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
- ESSENTIAL – Able to cover over night duties at the animal centre if required
- ESSENTIAL – Holder of full driving licence and willingness to drive the centre van
