Colchester Spca- Summer Student Position- Animal

Location: 408 Industrial Ave, Truro
Number of Positions: 1
Job Start Date: June
Job Competition Closes: When position is filled

**Job Type**: Full time

**Salary**: $15.50 /hr

A Shelter’s Animal Care Attendant is a key member of the Nova Scotia SPCA team. This individual participates in the day-to-day animal care and operational practices of an Animal Shelter making certain they are compliant with the Society’s animal care standards.

**Responsibilities**
Assures all nutritional, housing, grooming and medical needs are met on a daily basis according to approved processes. Is responsible for maintaining a safe and sanitary facility for animals and people. Provides humane handling and care for all shelter animals.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

- Responsible for all duties related to the care of animals (ex: cleaning of the holding areas, assuring that animals receive food and water, bathing and basic grooming, cleaning animal dishes, doing shelter laundry, etc);
- Providing humane handling and restraining techniques;
- Observing animals for signs of illnesses or injuries and reports symptoms to the appropriate personnel;
- Assisting Animal Care Technicians as required by restraining animals, grooming, health checks, flea treatments and administering parasite control and medications;
- Performing requested tasks for shelter maintenance. This may include lawn and garden work, deep-cleaning duties, organizing storage areas, and other regular upkeep and maintenance duties;
- Cleaning all equipment and work areas to maintain the highest standard of cleanliness and sanitation by following health and safety regulations and protocols;
- Maintaining accurate records for animal inventory, health, medications, treatments, procedures and behaviour history;
- Providing excellent customer service, handling phone calls, provide rescue and adoption information;
- Performing a wide range of administrative and clerical duties and working well with low supervision;
- Maintaining positive interactions with the public, staff and volunteers in a fast paced, sometimes hectic and noisy environment while remaining kind, calm, resourceful and efficient;
- Completing other duties as required.

In addition to the duties listed above, the SPCA expects the following of each employee:

- adhere to policies and procedures;
- works in a safe manner;
- acts as a role model within and outside the shelter;
- performs duties as workload necessitates;
- maintains a positive and respectful attitude;
- communicates regularly with supervisor about issues;
- demonstrates efficient time management and prioritizes workload;
- consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of the position; and,
- participates in events and on committees as needed or required.

**Qualifications/Requirements**
- Applicants must be extremely dependable, with flexible availability. Weekends will be part of the regular weekly schedule, and some evenings may also be required.
- All applicants must have a Class 5 driver’s license. Newly licensed drivers (either Learners or Class 5N) are not accepted.
- Physical ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday required.
- Physical ability to work from a step ladder, reach/stretch overhead, and work from a crouched/kneeling position.
- Physical ability to lift and carry 40 pounds regularly.
- Working conditions include, but are not limited to: working alone, working outside in varying weather conditions, frequent interruptions, and some meetings.
- Employee must demonstrate ability to work effectively with others (including co-workers, customers, volunteers and others) by sharing ideas in a constructive and positive manner; listening to and objectively considering ideas and suggestions from others; keeping commitments; keeping others informed of work progress, timetables and issues; and addressing problems and issues constructively to find mutually acceptable and practical business solutions.

**Assets**
The following skills would be part of the training for the position. Previous knowledge of these skills is considered an asset.
- Demonstrate animal control knowledge, including proper restraining techniques.
- Knowledge of animal behaviours, and basic obedience training methods.
- Ability to identify signs of animal illnesses, diseases and injuries.
- Ability to identify different medications and methods of administration.
- Ability to perform sanitation procedures and general maintenance.
- We thank all applicants for their interest in a career at the Nova Scotia SPCA, however; only those selected for interview will be contacted._