Animal Support Specialist Omaha, NE

Overview

Animal Support Specialist – Omaha, NE, US

Salary Range: $18.43 Annually

Title: Animal Support Specialist

Department: Animal Welfare

This position reports to: Animal Welfare Supervisor

Schedule: Sunday – Thursday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

The purpose of the Animal Support Specialist is to support the health and well‑being of the shelter animal population under the care of the Nebraska Humane Society (NHS) with a focus on behavior support and management, stress reduction and enrichment to expedite positive outcomes. This position will also provide foster, adopter, and pet owner support.

• Provide support to all animals throughout the shelter by providing daily enrichment and running playgroups for dogs.
• Work with all departments to expedite positive outcomes for all animals.
• Collaboratively identify animals not thriving or needing extra support in the shelter environment and execute detailed management plans to support their stay at the shelter.
• Participate in daily population rounds.
• Work with identified animals to acclimate them to tools to set them up for success in a home.
• Support other departments by providing appropriate training of new staff and volunteers to increase their understanding of animal body language and increase their skillset with handling and enrichment.
• While handling animals, objectively record all behavior and medical observations. Utilize shelter software (Chameleon) and other tools to input objective observations and create truthful yet enticing biographies.
• Conduct owner surrender intake interviews to gather more information about animals’ behavioral history and needs.
• Provide behavior counseling and advice to foster families.
• Assist adoptions team as needed.
• Provide humane and safe animal handling according to Nebraska Humane Society’s Standard Operating Procedures.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with co-workers, volunteers, management, and the public at all times.
• Assist in making euthanasia decisions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum 1 year working in an animal shelter or other animal behavior/training/care capacity.
• Demonstrated knowledge of animal body language.
• General understanding of animal behavior and learning principles and ability to communicate these concepts to others.
• Experience safely and comfortably handling animals of all breeds.
• Ability to generate new and inventive ways of assessing, training, or providing enrichment for animals that need extra behavioral support.
• Affection and compassion for animals, concern for their welfare, and willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.
• Team-oriented mentality and ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with others.
• Self-motivated and able to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Independent judgement and ability to make difficult decisions about animals’ outcomes.
• Ability to handle the emotional aspect of work in an animal shelter environment, including the use of euthanasia.
• Ability to multitask and use critical thinking skills during intense situations.
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel; capable of learning shelter system database.

Desired

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in related field

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions within the work environment.

• The noise level in the office environment is usually quiet, though barking or whining of animals may be escalated at certain times in certain areas of the building.
• High exposure to animals whose reactions to the shelter environment cannot be predicted.
• Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
• Temperatures in the shelter environment are varied, though usually moderate, and dependent on the season.
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases and hazardous…