Care and Enrichment Technician

Summary:

At the Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) in Columbus, Ohio, a dedicated team of sheltering, veterinary and animal behavior staff work together to serve animals rescued in ASPCA national cruelty cases and disaster responses. This team works closely with the ASPCA’s National Field Response (NFR), Veterinary Forensics, Legal Advocacy & Investigations (LAI), Behavioral Sciences (BST) and Shelter Medicine Services (SMS) teams to ensure well-coordinated operations and high-quality, holistic care for animal victims of neglect, abuse and natural disasters. The CRC team also provides care for animals housed in ASPCA temporary field shelters.

The role of the Care and Enrichment staff is to keep animal housing and exercise areas clean and disinfected with daily cleaning and spot cleaning throughout the day, clean, prepare and provide daily enrichment items to keep animals engaged and reduce stress, assist with playgroups and monitor interactions and behavior, bringing any behavioral or medical concerns to the proper point of contact. This role may also include local animal transport. One of the most critical functions of the CETs is to serve as part of a harmonious, united team of shelter operations, shelter medicine and animal behavior experts, all dedicated to collaborating with each other to provide balanced, holistic care.

Responsibilities:

Direct Animal Care (80%)

Cruelty Recovery Center:

• Provide daily care and support for the animals in the shelter, adhering to the CRC standard operating procedures and low stress handling and approach
• Monitor and help maintain the medical and behavioral health of shelter animals; ensure adherence to nutrition, sanitation and infectious disease-prevention protocols established by ASPCA’s Shelter Medicine Services team and CRC Veterinarians.
• Ensure the comfort and cleanliness of shelter animals
• Provide a safe and compassionate environment for animals in our care, our staff, and for our clients by using low-stress handling techniques
• Comply with specific feeding programs related to behavioral enrichment for specific animals.
• Work to integrate volunteers into daily care, setting clear expectations, providing guidance as needed and always communicating respect and gratitude for volunteer support
• Take inventory and stock supplies as needed
• Drive an ASPCA vehicle; transport animals as needed
• Maintain cleanliness of animal transport vehicles
• Maintain strict confidentiality when dealing with criminal cases

Temporary Sheltering:

• Assist with planning and arrangements for temporary sheltering operations in the field
• When appropriate, work with local communities affected by disasters to return rescued animals to their owners and find placement for unclaimed animals

Enrichment (20%)

• Follow guidelines to ensure that animal holding areas include appropriate music and/or auditory stimulation for shelter animals
• Exercise/socialize animals as instructed and manage playgroups as directed by behavior team
• Prepare and distribute enrichment as directed; being open to any specific needs of individual animals
• Assist as requested and directed in behavior interventions as a “novel person”

Qualifications:

• Ability to observe and accurately interpret animal behavior
• Ability to skillfully restrain, lift, and handle animals in stressful conditions
• Must have the ability to work closely with behaviorally compromised animals and feel comfortable working in an environment where euthanasia is performed on a regular basis
• Displays care and concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially during stressful times
• Cultivates a climate in which individual differences and perspectives are valued, encouraged and supported
• Forms authentic, trusting relationships which enhance individual and team performance
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook
• Ability to learn Salesforces and other computer programs
• Must be able to lift up to 100 lbs with support, carry up to 50 lbs with support, and have the physical capacity to bend, crawl, reach overhead, kneel and repetitively use hands to meet the physical demands of this position
• Must be willing to work in an environment with potentially extreme temperature changes and weather conditions as well as exposure to chemical and biological hazards, such as feces and blood
• Flexible and willing to attend mandatory staff meetings and training classes that may not occur during regular work hours