ANIMAL ATTENDANT

This position provides support to the Operations Manager for the handling and administration of animals at the Mt Alexander Animal Welfare Inc Animal Shelter.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Report any repairs necessary to maintain buildings and grounds.

Maintains a variety of files, records and statistics related to animal population, adoption, vaccinations, spaying and neutering, euthanasia, and incident reports.

To participate in community events to promote responsible pet ownership and animal adoptions.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

Awareness of occupational hazards, safety precautions, related to effective animal care, maintaining sanitary conditions and overall health of shelter animals, and other work related precautions.

Knowledge of procedures and assist with assigning of work, schedules, supervision,

Mt Alexander Animal Welfare IncABN 69548314029

PO Box 713Castlemaine, Vic 3450

54725277mtalexanimalwelfare@gmail.com

maaw.org.au

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training, and evaluation the work of assigned staff and volunteers.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service.

OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Animal attendants are responsible for carrying out the following duties and must report to the operations manager on these duties:

daily feeding, watering and inspection of all animals daily cleaning of animal housing areas, i.e. hose out, replace bedding, litter

trays, feeding and watering utensils administering medication and treatment as prescribed by veterinary

practitioner routine disinfection of animal housing areas and equipment exercising of animals as required provision of environmental enrichment for the animals.

The animal attendant must promptly report to the operations manager animals showing any of the following symptoms:

any serious physical or behavioural abnormality any change in behaviour in an animal apparent pain bleeding or swelling of body parts bloating of abdomen coughing diarrhoea, especially if bloodstained difficulty or inability to urinate or defecate fits or staggering inability to stand or walk lack of appetite lameness pregnancy red or brown coloured urine repeated sneezing runny nose runny or inflamed eyes vomiting weight loss whelping or queening.

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REQUIRED SKILLS

Computer Skills – Utilizes a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, and related software to effectively complete a variety of tasks with reasonable speed and accuracy.

Judgment/Decision Making –Considers the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Interpersonal Relationships – Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees, volunteers, and representatives from other organizations. Shares knowledge with staff for mutual and departmental benefit.

REQUIRED ABILITIES

Communication –Ability to communicate ideas and proposals effectively so others will understand. Ability to listen and understand information and ideas presented verbally and in writing. Ability to handle a variety of issues with tact and diplomacy and in a confidential manner.

Coordination of Work – Ability to establish priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time- management methodology.

Financial Management – Ability to perform purchasing and financial transactions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Experience in animal shelter operations, with administrative experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The ability to remain resilient through multiple competing priorities in a stressful, active environment, and assists others to so the same.

Well-developed written and verbal communication skills, ability to multi-task, self-starter.

Excellent planning, organisational skills and time management skills

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ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check, sex offender registry check.

Must have current tetanus immunisation

Preferable to have current Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Tasks require the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work.

May involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (10 – 20 Kilograms).

ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES

Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, weather, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, toxic agents, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, explosives, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate customers

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