Reports to: Animal Welfare Manager

Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt; Full-Time

Salary: $11.00/hour

Position Summary: Responsible for daily animal care and enrichment, kennel and facility sanitation, and providing customer service to shelter clients and volunteers.

Animal Care Duties:

• Ensure animals have access to appropriate types and amount of food and water
• Monitor animal health, including identifying and reporting illnesses and injuries
• Monitor animal behavior and immediately report signs of aggression or stress
• Ensure animals are collared and tagged as needed
• Provide animals with appropriate kennel enrichment and exercise
• Become familiar with animals and their personalities to aid in getting them adopted
• Promote humane animal treatment and positive reinforcement training techniques

People Care Duties:

• Assist owners looking for lost pets
• Train and support volunteers and community service workers in the execution of their duties

Cleaning Duties:

• Must be able to work in all areas of the shelter (Cats, Dogs, Isolation, etc.)
• Clean and disinfect kennels and cages thoroughly and in a timely manner
• Wash and disinfect dishes
• Process laundry until complete, cleaning machines as needed
• Clean, disinfect, and organize workrooms
• Empty trash cans and put trash in the dumpster
• Maintain inventory of supplies and unload/stock donations and supplies
• Perform general housekeeping duties and help maintain the facility and grounds
• Follow all disease control protocols

Record-Keeping Duties:

• Ensure kennel signage is complete, visible, and neatly arranged
• Ensure animals’ online records are up-to-date
• Ensure records such as feeding and behavior charts are complete
• Add notes about animals’ behavior to their records to assist in finding the right placements

General Duties:

• Represent Lawrence Humane Society in a courteous and professional manner at all times
• Provide excellent customer service to external and internal customers (colleagues)
• Promptly report lost or broken equipment to supervisor
• Promptly report when supplies are running low so they can be ordered
• Actively promote a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules, taking immediate action to prevent or address any safety hazard, and promptly reporting workplace injuries and near-misses
• Respond promptly to radio and in-person requests for assistance in all areas of the shelter, including acknowledging the request and your ability to address it
• Follow all policies and procedures in the LHS Personnel Practices employee handbook as well as other procedures communicated by management

Required:  High School Diploma or completion of G.E.D. equivalency; Effective written and verbal communication skills; No allergies to animals or chemical cleaning agents; Strong work ethic and ability to accurately follow detailed cleaning and animal care procedures

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge:  Experience in veterinary hospital, animal shelter, or kennel field; Experience working for a nonprofit or Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in related field; Knowledge of basic animal handling, behavior and health; Basic knowledge of Windows-based computer software; Basic knowledge of Google applications and/or Chameleon Software; Proven ability to work in a team environment with a variety of people; Strong customer service skills.

Physical Demands & Work Environment: Work is performed in a kennel environment with regular exposure to high noise levels, chemical cleaning agents, animal dander, wet floors, the elements (when working outdoors), potentially aggressive and dangerous animals and animal bites and scratches. Work requires walking, standing, bending, scrubbing, and reaching up to 10 hours a day, plus moving/walking dogs and occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds without assistance. Daily duties require reading and following instructions, using a computer workstation, and wearing a portable radio. Driving may be required. 

This job description provides a general understanding of the position and nature of work, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions related to this position. Lawrence Humane Society is an at-will employer. The employee or employer  may terminate employment at any time, without cause.

To apply for this position, please click the button below. 

Reports to: Customer Care Supervisor

Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt; Full-Time

Salary: $11.00/hour

Position Summary: Assists in finding quality, caring homes for adoptable animals based on information obtained through discussion and counseling of potential adopters.

Key Duties:

• Providing extraordinary service to the Lawrence Humane Society customers that visit or call to inquire about our services and programs.
• Actively engaging members of the public from the moment they arrive or call, assisting and answering any questions.
• Counseling prospective adopters to match the appropriate animal to the adopter(s) and educating them on proper care for that species in general.
• Informing customers of the medical treatment the animals have received: i.e., shots, deworming, spay or neuter surgery, etc., educating them on necessary future veterinary care, and encouraging them to opt-in to available programs and services.
• Handling dogs, cats, and occasionally other animals of all sizes, ages, temperaments and needs safely and appropriately.
• Providing all animals with appropriate housing, food, water, bedding, toys and other mental stimulation and enrichment.
• Cleaning kennels and adoptions area daily to ensure the facility is clean and sanitized at all times.
• Monitoring health of animals and rapidly identify any health issues and report to medical staff immediately.
• Fielding calls using a multi-line phone system and transfer calls to proper departments.
• Counseling callers or in-person patrons in regards to their situations with the utmost respect and understanding.
• Fielding inquiries from public regarding animal behavior, training, and providing options as necessary.
• Displaying strong organizational skills and follows through on job assignments.
• Exercising good judgement when it comes to handling multiple tasks, ensuring the immediate tasks take priority.
• Participating in stress and disease reduction efforts through adherence to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ensuring all animals are clearly and consistently marked with accurate, up-to-date, easy to read information.
• Using shelter database and employee communication systems to keep accurate animal inventory, write animal behavior and other memos, submit medical exam requests, place holds on animals.
• Processing adoptions and related paperwork on a daily basis, collecting adoption fees, issuing receipts for the collection of fees, and maintaining records of adoption sales transactions, with a positive attitude.
• Offering help to team members when needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required: High School Diploma or completion of G.E.D. equivalency; Effective written and verbal communication skills; No allergies to animals or chemical cleaning agents

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge: Experience in customer service preferred; knowledge of basic animal handling; basic knowledge of Windows-based computer software; basic knowledge of google applications; proven ability to work in a team environment with a variety of people

Physical Demands & Work Environment: Work is performed in a kennel environment with regular exposure to high noise levels, chemical cleaning agents, animal dander, and wet floors. Exposure to the elements when working outdoors. Exposure to potentially aggressive and dangerous animals and animal bites and scratches. Work requires walking, standing, bending, scrubbing, and reaching up to 10 hours a day, plus moving/walking dogs and lifting up to 40 pounds without assistance. Daily duties require reading and following instructions; using a computer workstation; wearing a portable radio and headset. Driving may be required.

This job description provides a general understanding of the position and nature of work, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions related to this position. Lawrence Humane Society is an at-will employer. The employee or employer may terminate employment at any time, without cause.

To apply for this position, please click the button below.

Reports to: Pet Resource Center Supervisor

Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt, FT or PT, Regular

Directly Supervises: N/A

Position Summary: Pet Resource Center (PRC) Counselors process all incoming animals, including stray, surrendered, transferred and fostered animals, and provide customer service to pet owners. They work to reunite animals with their owners, counsel the public on animal care and pet retention resources, set appointments for surrendered animals, and clean the Pet Resource Center and adjacent areas as needed.

Intake

• Assist customers, Animal Control Officers, members of the public, fosters and transfer partners in intaking animals
• Complete animal intake procedures, including initial vaccines, weight, age, sex, photo and movement to a clean, furnished kennel
• Schedule appointments for pet surrender, spay/neuter services, follow-up visits, foster returns, and transfers
• Assist customers in identifying and reclaiming lost pets and/or referring them to resources outside LHS if their animal is not here
• Counsel customers on pet retention resources if applicable/available
• Counsel customers on “Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return” best practices and offer resources (traps, etc.) as applicable
• Track all animal and customer data with care and diligence
• Clean and disinfect kennels daily
• Receive money and create receipts for transactions (fees, donations, merchandise, etc.)

Foster

• Issue requests to the foster network to assist in fostering animals
• Support fosters with prompt responses to their questions and concerns
• Issue timely and clear appeals to fosters to return animals to LHS as needed for surgery, booster vaccinations, etc.
• Enter foster notes into animal and person records in a timely and consistent manner to ensure LHS staff know the latest status of animals in foster

Transfer

• Assist in the intake of transferred animals, ensuring timely, efficient and complete input of animal records from Source Agencies
• Prepare records for animals being transferred out of LHS

Administrative

• Maintain accurate, complete records and files on animals, customers, and other parties as needed
• Answer phones, emails, and voicemails in a professional and timely manner
• Prepare and submit timely reports on assigned activities as requested

Humane Investigations

• Participate in LHS’ Humane Investigations meetings and actions, including documenting updates from municipal partners regarding cases, assisting Animal Control Officers on animal welfare checks, resource visits and owner issues, and providing support to LHS’ Animal Welfare Counsel on disposition recommendations and documentation of animal behavior and health status while in LHS care. 

General

• Represent LHS in a courteous and professional manner at all times, providing excellent customer service to all customers, guests, colleagues and volunteers
• Communicate critical information to colleagues as needed to ensure the highest standard of animal care
• Follow all workplace safety rules, actively promoting a safe work environment and taking immediate action to prevent and address hazards. Report any injuries immediately.
• Follow all LHS disease transmission prevention protocols
• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements:

• At least 18 years of age
• Legal U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• High School Diploma or GED
• Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Organized, detail-oriented self-starter
• Windows and Microsoft Office proficiency
• Commitment to ongoing learning and growth
• Sound judgement in dealing with the public and handling sensitive and confidential information
• Able to communicate effectively with people of various ages and backgrounds
• Skilled dealing with upset and difficult individuals
• No allergies to animals or chemical cleaning agents
• Able to work holidays and weekends as needed

Preferred Skills/Knowledge:

• Experience in the animal welfare field
• Experience working for a nonprofit organization
• Knowledge of basic animal handling, behavior and health
• Basic knowledge of Google applications
• Proven ability to work in a team environment with a variety of people

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Considerable time communicating with the public
• Regular contact with angry and emotional individuals, potentially dangerous animals, and deceased animals can occur
• Exposure to animal bites, scratches, dander, parasites, infectious diseases, strong odors and fumes from caustic chemicals, and animal waste
• Exposure to high noise levels
• Use of a portable radio and headset required
• Work in a stationary position for extended periods of time using a computer
• Traverse the facility and grounds for extended periods of time performing labor that may include walking (with and without animals weighing up to 150 pounds), reaching with hands and arms, climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling, lifting up to 50 pounds without assistance and operating various tools and equipment
• Exposure to wet, cold, and/or humid conditions while working outdoors
• Occasional need to operate LHS vehicles, including 1-ton pick-up truck and full-size van

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature of work performed. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, qualifications, skills or working conditions associated with the position. The aforementioned job requirements are subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified disabled individuals. Lawrence Humane Society is an at-will employer, and reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the Lawrence Humane Society desires.

To apply for this position, please click the button below.

Apply For the Internship Today

Reports to: Internship Coordinator, Donor Experience & Grants Coordinator

Classification: Unpaid Volunteer; Part-Time

Time Frame: Fall, spring or summer semester internships

Position Summary: The Lawrence Humane Society is looking for a take-charge student with a heart for serving to be our next Mission-Driven Development intern. In this role, you will participate in our mission, while gaining valuable nonprofit experience to boot!

Development is a vital part of all nonprofit organizations and is the pipeline for raising funds to support all parts of our life-saving mission. Our internship will give you a firm foundation in what it takes to be a development professional in the nonprofit sphere. 

The right applicant will be a people-person and strong writer with a passion for animals, a strong desire to change the world and an interest in a nonprofit career. This charismatic personality will have demonstrated initiative, a strategic mind and the heart to sincerely communicate our message. 

The Mission-Driven Development Intern will help animals while gaining experience in:

Cause-Focused Development- Identifying, cultivating and stewarding funding while learning what motivates key people like donors. This will include…

• Updating critical donor information
• Learning about grant research and writing
• Helping with donor research to segment our fundraising efforts
• Assisting with writing our in-house direct mail fundraising appeals

Community Engagement- Creating unique and memorable experiences for our many supporters and donors through events and relationship building. This will include…

• Spearheading an effort to find new local business partners
• Helping with the event-planning process
• Designing and executing your own program, project or event that will help further the shelter’s cause

Thank you for your interest in changing the lives of animals in our community. If this opportunity sounds right for you, please fill out the application.