Description

SUMMARY: 
The mission of Annenberg PetSpace is to promote and strengthen the human-animal bond—as well as to foster the understanding and enjoyment of companion animals—in a fun, engaging and interactive setting.  Annenberg PetSpace is a new state of the art animal care center scheduled to open in Spring 2017, where people and pets connect. The building, located in Playa Vista, includes state of the art animal care facilities in a vibrant, welcoming community center and will offer the following:

• Animal Adoptions – Pet adoptions in residence-like adoption suites.  
• Learning Programs and Events – Classes, lectures and activities held in indoor and outdoor training areas for people and their pets, which is open to the community as well as educational institutions.  Special needs outreach programs are planned for schools, veterans, seniors, and the like.
• Wallis Annenberg PetSpace Leadership Institute – The leadership institute will bring together civic leaders and prominent experts to promote and foster a national dialogue on human-animal stewardship. 

JOB SUMMARY:  The Animal Care Lead position is a full-time role. The standard week of work for regular full-time employees is 37.5 hours. Employee work schedules will be set in advance but may vary from time to time.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: The list that follows is not intended to be comprehensive; it is intended to provide a representative   summary of the major duties and responsibilities of the position. Incumbents may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be   required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.  

In coordination with both the Animal Care Coordinator and Animal Operations Manager at Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, the Animal Care Lead will be responsible for the following:

• Assist in the recommendation, development, and implementation of policies and procedures related to animal care best practices.
• Assist in the training of staff and volunteers on the proper techniques on animal care SOP’s.
• In the Animal Care Coordinator’s absence, maintain daily animal care schedules, oversee, and delegate appropriate tasks to the   Animal Care Specialists, and ensure that all tasks are completed fully.
• Help to coordinate animal movement within the building, ensuring movement is done safely and to communicate with the Health Center team and Animal Behavior & Training team when needed.
• Maintain accurate walk boards and suite door signage.
• Maintain animal ShelterLuv records, ensuring that they are kept up to date.
• Work with the Animal Operations Manager and the Animal Care Coordinator to ensure all new hires receive the proper training in all areas of the Animal Care department.
• Help maintain inventory and ordering of all animal care supplies (food, cleaning supplies, Critter Corner supplies, etc.) under the supervision of the Animal Care Coordinator.
• In the Animal Care Coordinators absence, coordinate animals for grooming.
  Assist with Animal Care Specialist duties daily.
• Participate in public education programming (i.e. Pet   Encounters, etc.).
• Collaborate with colleagues to foster a positive and inclusive team culture, building strong working relationships and promoting effective communication, and camaraderie to achieve shared goals.
• Communicate in an effective and professional manner with public and Annenberg PetSpace staff members.
  Always represent Annenberg PetSpace in a professional and courteous manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Associate degree or equivalent education, training, and experience
• Minimum of 2 years working in animal welfare, including at a shelter, veterinary clinic, daycare, grooming facility, boarding, or with a rescue organization

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Weekend hours required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent animal handling skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Critical evaluation and observation skills
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and selected software/databases
• Effective written and oral communication skills with ability to compose routine correspondence, possess the ability to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions
• Possess poise, professionalism, diplomacy, teamwork, and the ability to interact with people from all walks of life.
• An individual who can contribute to the culture of respect for all individuals and animals.
• Commitment to, and passion for, the mission of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Must be able to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp   grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level   and lift, push or pull 50 pounds for situations of restraining or moving   animals and lifting food and animal care supplies, repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist. May be required to clean and care for animals. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK CONDITIONS:   Standard office environment with exposure to environmental conditions that include working near and caring for animals.

Benefits and Perks:

• 100% paid medical insurance, dental and vision for employee + family. 
• Life and disability insurance 
• Employer contribution to FSA 
• We also offer a 403(b) retirement plan with 10% company contribution after 1 year of employment. 
• Vacation & sick days. 
• Company paid holidays.
• Annual Professional development allowance.  
• Opportunity for an annual performance bonus (discretionary and not guaranteed).
• Gym membership. 
• Free Pet adoption.
• Generous retail discount. 

The organization invests in employee well-being through wellness initiatives and meaningful celebrations.
Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation, PetSpace, is a company that respects the uniqueness of each employee and offers everyone the means to find their place and thrive. We promote initiatives aimed at supporting professional equality for everyone. We strive to go above and beyond purely symbolic measures by building a culture focused on meaningful strategies aimed at creating an inclusive workforce.   

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us at Recruiting@walf.org.