PHS/SPCA | Job Opportunities

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Job Opportunities

Consider working for an organization where all employees are passionate about what they do and truly care about their organization's mission. That's what people find at the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. Since every staff member has some interaction with the public, we strive to hire enthusiastic people who not only consider themselves animal lovers, but also "people" people. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

If interested in any of the positions listed below, follow the instructions specified in the position description. If there are no instructions in the position description, please print our Application for Employment, complete all sections, and return it via email or postal mail, along with a cover letter, to:

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA
Human Resources
12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo CA 94401
19 Fax: 650/685-0678
Email: Human Resources at careers@peninsulahumanesociety.org

Application for Employment (pdf)

Last updated: May 9, 2008

Currently open positions are:

Registered Veterinary Technician (Full Time or Part Time)
Animal Care Technician (Full Time )
Animal Control Officer (Full Time)
Veterinary Assistant (Full Time)
Exotic Animal Specialist (Part Time)
Animal Behavior Assistant (Full Time)
Customer Service Rep (Full Time)

REGISTERED VETERINARY TECHNICIAN –Spay/Neuter Clinic

**Full-time or Part-time positions available

Objective

To provide medical are as well as humane care and treatment to all animals in the clinic with the policies and procedures established by the Society and the State Laws of California Perform admitting duties, including conducting pre-surgical examinations and administering necessary injections. Responsible for the calculation and preparation of patients, including sterilization, administration of pre-surgical drugs and endotracheal intubation. Provide anesthetic induction and monitoring. Assist the veterinarian in surgery as needed. Perform post-surgical monitoring and maintenance of patients, including administration of post-surgical injections. Discharge patients to their guardians after surgery and recovery as needed. Provide emergency medical treatment as needed. Perform euthanasia as necessary. Responsible for the maintenance of surgical packs, instruments and equipment. Responsible for the cleanliness of the surgical areas of clinic, including animal holding cages. Assist receptionist as needed, including administering vaccinations, medical inquiries, etc. Other duties as assigned.

Requirement

MUST be a California State Licensed Registered Veterinary Technician
Minimum one year work experience under the direction of a Veterinarian
Minimum one-year work experience working with animals in clinical setting preferred
Must be able to perform IV, SQ and IM injections and place IV catheters
Certified in Euthanasia (or the ability to become certified within the first 6 months)
Demonstrated ability to supervise/direct a staff and group of volunteers through example
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Ability to work well with public, volunteers and fellow employees.
Must be highly motivated towards the welfare and humane treatment of animals
Knowledge of domestic animal care
Familiarities with zoonotic disease control, prevention causes and herd health management in a shelter environment
Must exercise maturity and perform the duties in a professional manner while working under pressure
Must be able to work irregular hours, overtime weekends and holidays as needed
Must be able to repetitively bend, stoop, reach and lift up to 50 lbs. or more.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

(Other duties may be assigned.)
Receive animals into the shelter obtaining thorough and complete information.
Explain shelter policies and procedures to the public while providing superior customer service.
Perform initial physical exams on all animals received into the shelter including scanning for microchips, vaccinating, treating for parasites and banding. Records all information on animal health record.
Generate computer record for all animals with all necessary information. Maintain computer records updated as animal status changes.
Stocks supplies in receiving area.
Maintains a clean and organized work area.
Conduct daily rounds of all areas of the shelter to ensure the well being of all animals.
Administer daily medical treatment to all animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
Assist veterinarian in treatments, lab work and radiology.
Euthanize or assist with euthanasia as needed.
Kennels animals as received.
Provide emergency medical care whenever needed.
Maintain medical records on all animals.
Provide shelter staff with clear info regarding medical condition, diagnosis treatment and long-term prognosis

Working Conditions

Ability to handle unruly, vicious and dangerous animals in a humane manner.
Ability to work in a fast paced environment that at times can be stressful.
Ability to handle emotional aspects that accompany working in a shelter environment
Understand the potential for exposure to parasites and infectious disease.
Dealing with possible unruly, vicious and dangerous animals and impounding the sane safely and humanely possible hostile public
Operation of a vehicle under all types of weather/road condition
Heavy and fast-paced workload
Strenuous activity
Must be potentially willing to work irregular hours, shifts, and standby.

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ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN (ACT) - Full Time

**Entry Level Position**

Division: Animal Care
Reports To: Assistant Manager of Animal Care
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

This is a Union position and REQUIRES weekend and evening/swing shift work.

Summary

Main duties are to maintain the shelter in a clean and sanitary manner and provide all sheltered animals with humane care and attention.

Responsibilities

Clean, disinfect and maintain various animals quarters and accompanying areas in clean and sanitary condition.
Feed and observe animals daily as to their health and well being.
Provide special care when advised of animals requiring medication, treatment and/or special needs.
Washing dishes/laundry as needed.
Complete all tasks as assigned.
Properly identify all animals and ability to maintain proper paperwork.
Proper handling of dead animals, which includes decapitation of deceased animals for rabies tests.
Handle various species/breeds of animals and different temperaments in a humane and safe manner.

Animal Care Technicians will be assigned additional responsibilities after demonstrating competency at entry level. Examples of additional responsibilities are as follows:

Euthanasia MUST be certified within first six (6) months of employment
Enhancing the adaptability of shelter animals
Puppy evaluations
Receiving animals after hours
Assist public in redemption of animals
Micro chipping

Qualifications include High School graduate or equivalent, workable knowledge of proper care for animals or the ability to learn. Ability to work flexible hours, weekends and/or holidays. Highly motivated toward the welfare and humane treatment of all animals. Must be in good health. Ability to work well with the public, volunteers and fellow employees.

MUST be prepared to work irregular hours, overtime, swing shifts, weekends and holidays. Be able to deal with unruly, vicious and dangerous animals humanely. Be able to deal with a hostile public and fast paced workload, which at times can be stressful. Be able to deal with strenuous physical activity and the emotional drain of the job. Exposure to parasites and infectious diseases.

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ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER (ACO) - Full Time

Responsibilities

Reports to Field Services Division and Director of Field Services. Investigate complaints regarding animal cruelty and take appropriate action to abate the problems. Prepare a legally accurate and complete complaint to present to the District Attorneys Office. Professionally testify in court or at other animal related hearings when necessary. Promote humane attitudes toward care and treatment of animals by education and example. Answer questions and advise the public regarding animal welfare issues, ordinances, quarantines, adoptions, other animal laws and related issues.

Duties

Patrol assigned areas within San Mateo County in a patrol vehicle using safe driving practices. Pick-up stray animals rescue and/or relocate animals in distress in a safe and humane manner. Locate, quarantine and observe animals for symptoms of rabies. Pick-up and remove dead animals. Assist in euthanasia or euthanize animals as necessary. Prepare reports and maintain daily work records in appropriate forms. Operate a 2-way radio in a professional manner. Maintain the patrol vehicle in a clean and orderly manner, stocked with the necessary equipment. Maintain vehicle and equipment in good working order. Any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Qualifications

High School graduate and at least 18 years of age.
Must possess a valid California Driver’s License with a clean driving record
Must complete an extensive background investigation, including felony check and psychological examination.
Must successfully complete a course in 832 PC (law enforcement course) within one year of employment as an officer
Must be able to perform assigned duties as required.
Must have a pleasant personality; good verbal and written communication skills
Must have the ability to work well and communicate effectively with the public, fellow employees and volunteers.
Must be highly motivated toward the welfare and humane treatment of all animals
Must show maturity and good judgment; perform the job in a professional manner and work effectively under pressure
Able to work effectively without close supervision
Must be able to lift 50lbs from ground to waist
Keyboard skills and/or computer literate

Working Conditions

Dealing with possible unruly, vicious and dangerous animals and impounding the sane safely and humanely possible hostile public; operation of a vehicle under all types of weather/road condition, heavy and fast-paced workload; possible exposure to parasites and infectious disease; strenuous activity; must be willing to work irregular hours, shifts, weekends, holidays and standby.

To Apply

For more information concerning this position, please make an appointment to review the job description with Human Resources. To apply, please complete a Transfer Request Form and return it to Human Resources.

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VETERINARY ASSISTANT -Full Time

Summary

To provide medical care as well as humane care and treatment to all sheltered animals in accordance with the policies and procedures established by PHS/SPCA. To ensure proper admitting, preparation, monitoring, recovery and discharge of animals in the spay/neuter clinic. Perform job duties within established protocols and procedures set by PHS/SPCA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Conduct assigned morning and evening rounds of all areas of the shelter to ensure the well being of all animals.
Prepare daily list of animals requiring vet exams.
Administer daily medical treatment to all sheltered animals as prescribed by staff veterinarians.
Assist veterinarian in examination and treatment of animals.
Assist veterinarian with emergency medical treatment as necessary.
Perform health checks of animals before they are placed for adoption.
Participate in the Screening Room/Receiving area activities including; scanning, banding, vaccinating and examining animals when necessary.
Assist in lab work and radiology requirements of shelter animals.
Assist with the training and supervision of vet department volunteers.
Must become familiar with proper processing of animals through the shelter, and the corresponding.
Provide humane care and treatment of all sheltered animals.
Euthanize and/or assist with euthanasia of animals as needed in accordance with PHS/SPCA policies and procedures.
Receive animals into the shelter and obtain thorough and complete information regarding the animal’s history.
Responsible for educating the public at the time of animal intake.
Maintain a clean and sanitary work area in all work spaces.

Spay/Neuter Clinic

Restrain dogs and cats for pre-surgical injections and IV inducing
Responsible for surgical preparation of patients including, sterilization, and administration of pre-surgical injections
Perform admitting and discharge duties for public and shelter animals Assist with emergency medical practices as necessary
Maintain proper paperwork and medical records as required by law Monitor animals under anesthesia
Maintain department equipment in good working order.
Report items for repair/replacement as needed to appropriate supervisory staff
Perform general office duties

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job may supervise volunteers within the spay/neuter clinic area.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience in Veterinary/Bio/Animal Care preferred. Salary dependent on experience

Veterinary/Bio/Animal Care experience preferred

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EXOTIC ANIMAL SPECIALIST - Part Time

Summary

To provide quality care, socialization, promotion and placement of exotic pets (birds, reptiles and amphibians) that come to PHS/SPCA, usually as owner-surrendered pets. Educate the public on exotic pet issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Provide daily feeding and cleaning of all exotic pets in the shelter. Ensure that animals have appropriate enclosures.
Meet daily with potential adopters and help educate the public. Review adopter profiles and contact potential adopters when a suitable animal becomes available; may include visits of homes prior to adoptions and will include post-adoption follow-up calls.
Ensure that available exotic pets are being promoted on website, and lobby board. This may include taking digital photos of animals and writing animal descriptions.
Assist manager with annual budgeting process. Keep program spending within budget.
Work with shelter’s Purchasing Coordinator to ensure exotic pets have necessary medical, food and misc. supplies.
Supervise and train volunteers who will assist with daily care and socialization.
Assist manager with training to ensure that all front office staff have a basic understanding of exotic animals’ needs and can make matches for members of the public when needed.
Works with shelter’s graphics person to help create written materials for the staff and members of the public
Assist Field Services Department with animal cruelty investigations and pet store inspections.
Work with shelter’s staff educator during our Summer Animal Camp program. Make presentations for campers.
Network with rescue groups and exotic veterinarians.
Record and review daily animal progress notes; keep information current in Chameleon.
Answer phone calls, counter calls, officer requests and fill information request via email regarding exotic issues.
Be knowledgeable about the exotic species in our care; identify incoming exotic animals to ensure they have proper care, housing and diet while at PHS/SPCA.
Trouble shoot equipment and caging for repairs and maintenance.
Be sure laws regarding domestic animals are followed as they apply to exotic animals.
Perform basic physical examination on exotic animals and understand when to refer cases and conditions to our staff veterinarian.
With the veterinarian, develop a treatment plan where indicated for sick and injured animals.
Begin established treatment protocols for individual species and conditions.
Personally take or arrange transport for exotics that must see outside veterinarians.
Schedule veterinarian exams and rechecks for animals.
Do basic diagnostic work up on animals such as blood draw, labs on blood, fecal, x-rays, etc.
Follow veterinarian’s order such as IV, Sub Q, PO fluid therapy, gavage feeding, medications.
Evaluate progress, making changes where indicated.
Evaluate animals’ behavior and socialize animals where appropriate.
Perform euthanasia.
Take lost and found reports from the public.
Cross check lost and found reports and newspaper listings.
Help customers find alternatives to surrendering exotics to PHS/SPCA.
Maintain separate data base of potential adopters, past adopters and rescue groups.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, shelter medical records and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must become proficient with Chameleon Database software and Microsoft Office within probationary period.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Certified in euthanasia within probationary period.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 50-75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals; routine exposure to zoonotic diseases, aggressive and feral animals; routinely exposed to mechanical moving parts; outside weather conditions and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

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ANIMAL BEHAVIOR ASSISTANT- Full Time

Summary

Support the shelter’s growing Animal Behavior Department which helps determine adoption potential for dogs and cats, increases animals’ adoption potential through one-on-one work, provides counseling during some adoption sessions, fields helpline calls and offers several levels of dog training classes for the public. PHS-SPCA, an open-door shelter which accepts all animals, has placed 100% of healthy (physically and behaviorally) dogs and cats into new homes since 2003. The Behavior Department uses positive-only reinforcement at all times.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Help prepare program reports
Field Animal Behavior Helpline calls, both in English and Spanish (if bilingual)
Assist with training classes for shelter animals
Be actively involved with the updating of written behavior information
Perform administrative duties and other projects as assigned by Department Manager
Perform behavior modification for selected shelter dogs & cats on a daily basis
Educate and inform the general public about PHS/SPCA programs, events, policies and procedures
Teach training sessions for volunteers
Maintain a positive, educational approach with a willingness to listen when dealing with the public, the staff and volunteers
Counsel and work with the public on issues related to responsible animal care, i.e. spaying/neutering, vaccinations, vet care, identification, animal behavior, adoptions, etc.
Ability to conduct one-on-one behavior consultations for recent adopters and other pet owners would be a plus

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise volunteers in behavior programs.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must have customer service and previous animal handling and behavior experience. Ability to work well with and communicate effectively both orally and in writing with the public, staff and volunteers. Must be highly motivated toward the welfare and humane treatment of all animals.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Skills

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, volunteers, and other employees of the organization

Mathematical Skills

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to read and monitor dog and cat behavior. Must show maturity, good judgment, and professionalism. In addition, must be able to work efficiently under pressure. Also must demonstrate a friendly, open demeanor.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Chameleon Database software; Internet, MS Outlook Internet software; some report writing Spreadsheet software and MS Word, Word Processing software.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Position may have possible exposure to parasites and infectious diseases.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; toxic or caustic chemicals and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

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CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE/ADOPTION COUNSELOR

Division: Customer Service
Reports To: Customer Service Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

This is a Union position and the starting salary is $11.90/hour plus benefits. REQUIRES weekends until 6pm and weekdays until 7pm.

Responsibilities

Maintain a positive and educational approach when dealing with the public, the staff, and volunteers. Counsel and work with the public on issues relating to animal welfare.

Handle all front counter transactions, which include, but are not limited to the following: animal handling/adoption counseling, cashier duties, work heavily with public both in person and on the phone, general info request, and general paperwork. This position also covers switchboard duties daily.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED

MINIMUM of 1-year Experience in customer service arena, face-to-face customer interaction

Experience preferred:

Ability to work with and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with the public, staff and volunteers
Strong customer service skills
Ability to show maturity and good judgement, and perform the job in a professional manner
Must work well under pressure to resolve potentially emotional customers or escalated situations
Demonstrate a friendly, open, professional demeanor
Physically capable of handling/controlling large-breed dogs

Working Conditions

Must be willing to work irregular hours, shifts, weekends, holidays and overtime (when necessary). Must be able to deal with a fast-paced working environment that at times can be stressful.

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EOE/M/F/D/V

12 Airport Boulevard
San Mateo, CA 94401
650.340.7022