Reports To: Animal Care Manager (ACM) (n.b. in the absence of the ACM the postholder will report to the assigned duty manager [normally the Fostering Coordinator or senior ACA])
Responsible For: N/A
1. Overall Purpose of the Job
Provide care for animals in the centre and support for those animals in foster care, establish good customer, supporter and volunteer relations, ensure administrative procedures are maintained.
2. Dimensions
Branch targets and budgets are agreed on an annual basis and these will inform the personal targets agreed at the annual performance review. Progress towards personal targets will be reviewed at regular one-to-one meetings with the line manager.
3. Principal Responsibilities
General Animal Care
To have responsibility for the assigned animal areas and support management, staff and volunteers attend to the needs of individual animals, including:
* Handling and restraint
* Exercise & training
* Coat care / grooming
* Routine health checks including: monitoring of physical condition, patterns of behaviour, worming and flea control.
* Administration of first aid, treatments and medications as directed.
* Assist with humane destruction of animals, including carcass disposal.
* Complete daily observations, out of kennel activities on a daily basis & muzzle training, life skills, Behaviour and welfare assessments, dog meet forms etc as required.
Observation & Reporting
To assist with the inspection and or treatment of animals by veterinary surgeons, or other authorised persons at the centre.
* To carry out checks on animals, including the taking of temperatures and inspection of eyes, ear, nose and throat for signs of infection or abnormality. Reporting any such abnormalities to the ACM or duty manager.
Feeding & Watering
To prepare and provide food and water for all animals in the establishment following instructions as laid down by management.
Cleaning & Hygiene
To clean, disinfect and maintain animal accommodation, isolation and exercise areas; food preparation, laundry, storage, treatment and destruction facilities. Reception, offices stores, staff facilities including toilets and outside areas to the standards set by management.
* To follow all biosecurity procedures in place at the centre & follow guidance from the National Society's Veterinary department.
Dog Training & Rehabilitation
To ensure dogs receive training & allotted out of kennel activities as set out in the minimum animal welfare standards.
* To contribute to the development of individual animal training plans. To ensure that all behaviour modification & training plans are in place for individual animals and that these are observed.
* To ensure centre routines (e.g. Open Paw) are followed.
* To work with & follow guidance from the National Society's behaviour team.
Animal Fostering
To support members of the fostering team, including training and support for voluntary foster carers as directed by centre management and the fostering coordinator.
* To assist with the transfer of animals to and from foster care as directed by the centre manager or fostering coordinator.
Administration & Record Keeping
To maintain records, registers and statistics as required by management.
* To use a variety of software packages including MS Word, MS Excel, Google Docs and Google Sheets.
* To support management in the updating of animal records on Animal Shelter Manager (ASM).
* To ensure case animal records are maintained to the appropriate standard.
* To assist with ordering, storage and stock rotation.
* To undertake tasks which contribute to the promotion of animals for adoption on the Branch website or via social media.
Customer Care
To support management and the animal care support assistants (ACSA) in attending to the needs of clients/customers/general public whether face-to-face or via telephone/email.
* To liaise with colleagues in other departments, RSPCA trustees and volunteers as directed.
Health & Safety
While at work staff are required:
* To take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts of omissions.
* To ensure that they follow all procedures laid down in the health and safety manual and as instructed.
* To cooperate with centre, branch and Society policies and procedures for health & safety.
Security
To make sure the buildings and exercise areas are secure, check before work commences and when work finishes.
Maintenance
To report any faulty equipment, lighting, heating, ventilation, equipment etc. to the appropriate authority within the establishment.
Periodic interior decoration of buildings.
General
* To drive the Branch vehicles when required.
* To attend meetings and training courses as required.
* To undertake such other duties as directed from time to time by the animal care manager or senior management.
4. Job Context
* Work is assigned by the animal care manager or the duty manager acting in the absence of the ACM.
* Work is carried out in accordance with Branch procedures which are governed by the RSPCA licensing regime, the Society's veterinary guidelines and other relevant RSPCA policies, procedures and advice.
* Work is assessed through regular one-to-one meetings and annual performance reviews with targets set by the animal care manager.
* The role is a non-management direct animal care role within the animal care team.
* The postholder may be required to drive the centre vehicle on Branch business as directed by the animal care manager.
* The postholder may on occasion be required to open and/or close the centre in the absence of the ACM or duty manager.
* The role will include regular weekend working and may, on occasion, involve some unsocial hours.
5. Education & Training
* GCSE in Maths & English
* NVQ Level 3 or above in (or equivalent) Animal Care (or equivalent)
* NVQ Level 2 in Animal Care RSPCA Standard Procedures (or equivalent proven knowledge & experience)
Experience
* Minimum 2 years Previous experience in the demonstrable experience in charitable sector animal handling
* Experience of working with volunteers
* Proven knowledge and experience in animal behaviour, training and animal husbandry as it relates to dogs and cats
* Demonstrable experience of domestic animal care and husbandry from working in an animal care/animal welfare environment
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Good oral and written communication skills.
* Knowledge of animal welfare issues, particularly as they relate to RSPCA policy and practice including the ability to communicate at all levels.
* Additional training in:
o animal handling
o animal first aid
* Basic IT skills (ideally with demonstrable experience in Google Docs/Sheets), use of email and social media
* Some basic knowledge of health and safety regulations
* Proven ability to work under direction from superiors but equally able to use their own initiative
* Proven ability to prioritise workload
Personality & Disposition
* Demonstrable willingness to learn and acquire new skills through training
* Personable and with an open, positive approach to new ideas coupled with drive and enthusiasm
* A flexible and collaborative approach to colleagues both staff and volunteer
* Honest, trustworthy and reliable
Special Circumstances
* Sympathy for animal welfare and the work of the RSPCA
* Willingness to drive the centre vehicle
* Ability to participate in an emergency on call rota and act as key holder should the need arise
* Willingness to work longer than the contracted hours when the job demands
* Ability to work shifts including regular weekend working
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