Pet Resource Liaison

SO WHAT’S THIS WORK ALL ABOUT?

Santa Fe Animal Shelter believes the best place for pets and community animals is with the people who care for them and love them. That’s why our Animal Resource Center is looking for a Pet Resource Liaison to help keep pets and community animals where they belong. As a Pet Resource Liaison you will be a hero who helps animals return home quickly. You’ll support pet guardians through end of life services and get hands on with animals at the shelter who truly have no place to call home. Pet Resource Liaisons are also responsible for handling animals when they arrive, completing paperwork and data entry, answering phones, helping customers/visitors with requests for service, and providing all kinds of support to achieve the best outcome for the pets and people we serve.

WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER THIS POSITION OVER OTHERS?

Supporting our Community: Providing your neighbors with much needed services.

(Super cute!) Animals: And, oh goodness, have we got them! Love biscuit-making kitties? Or squishy puppy bellies? How about teefs and floof? We got it all, and the best part is, you get to cuddle them, love them, and help them get home and stay home!

Location: Located at the outskirts of the city, there are views of mountains all around.

Full-Time Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision and life insurances as well as a 401K plan, shelter discounts and more.

Meaningful and valuable work: Even though this is tough work, at the end of the day, you know in your heart, you helped make a profound difference in an animal's and person's life.

Position Summary:

The Animal Resource Center (ARC) is a community-centered resource for pet owners where SFAS Pet Resource Liaisons work with pet owners focusing on keeping pets in homes through thoughtful individualized case management that allows for identification of barriers to successful pet ownership, assessment of needs, support and access to resources to reach the best possible outcome for the people and animals.

About the Team:

The Animal Resource Center (ARC) is an integral component of Santa Fe Animal Shelter’s lifesaving mission to create a compassionate, safe community for pets and people. SFAS Pet Resource Liaisons must be passionate about helping people find or obtain the resources they need with compassion and without judgment.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

·       Critical thinking, problem-solving and customer experience excellence while representing SFAS in a professional, caring, and solution-oriented manner while embracing a “Solutions, Not Excuses” approach.

·       Maintain knowledge of available resources, animal control ordinances, SFAS polices, programs, services and best practices to effectively serve as an informational resource for pet owners, answer questions, requests, and inquiries thoroughly and promptly and provide owners with access to resources that best fit their needs.

·       Respectfully and compassionately communicate clearly and effectively through varying channels of communication, including but not limited to, email, postal mail, phone conversations and face-to-face dialogue.  

·       Process daily paperwork in relation to pet licensing, animal intake, return to home animals and Lost/Found pets and other essential processes with accuracy and attention to detail.

·       Process financial transactions, collect fees, solicit donations for services and balancing end of shift cash drawer.

·       Maintain detailed accurate records regarding animal history, owner information, communications, kennel cards and documents related to Animal Services involvement and/or case management while adhering to confidentiality policies.

·       Actively contribute to reaching department and organization goals.

·       Work to quickly reunite stray/found pets with their people.

·       Accommodate walk-ins who require immediate assistance for sick or injured animals.

·       Empathetically support owners through the acceptance of deceased pets for cremation; respectful handling of deceased pets and maintaining accurate records to ensure proper handling and chain of custody through the cremation process.  

·       Employ Fear Free animal handling methods.

·       Attend team meetings and trainings to remain abreast of changes to internal protocols, procedures and best practices.

·       Practice self-care and boundary-setting.

·       Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:

The noise level in the work environment ranges from moderate to loud. The Pet Resource Liaison is regularly exposed to hot/cold environments and temperatures, chemicals, and dust. Proper PPE must be worn and adherence to safety procedures and protocols is required. This position is highly physical including exposure to deceased animals, pet bodily fluids, strong aromas and cremated remains as well as fractious animals.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

·       HS Diploma, GED or Proficiency Certificate + 2 years’ experience in veterinary, animal-related, child welfare/protection, hospice, or mental health settings or Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, human services or related field.

• Direct communication, de-escalation, prioritizing and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Google and Microsoft applications and suites. Able to learn new software and online platforms.
• Financial transaction processing; balancing of a cash drawer a plus.

·       Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• High tolerance for intense emotional situations as well as serious veterinary medical issues and deceased animals.
• Able to endure a fast pace and initiate interaction.
• Excellent self-care and boundary-setting skills.
• Assertive, energetic, flexible, approachable, curious, collaborative, courteous.

·       Ability to perform multiple tasks and manage several projects simultaneously.

·       Strong sense of professional judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality.

·       Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Ability to regularly lift up to 30lbs., stand, walk, reach, and bend.
• Comfortable handling money.
• Regular attendance is an essential function and requirement of this job.
• Tolerance for the elements, odor, noise, allergens and cleaning chemicals.
• Possession of a valid driver's license or ability to obtain one before starting; clean driving record; and ability to be insured by SFAS carrier.