Job Title:  Community Caseworker
Department:  Pet Resource Center
Classification:  Non-Exempt (hourly), Full-Time
Reports to:  Community Caseworker Supervisor

Position Summary:

The mission of the Lawrence Humane Society is to nurture the human-animal bond by providing shelter, care, and advocacy for homeless and vulnerable animals, as well as resources for the people and pets in our community. The Lawrence Humane Society realizes pet homelessness affects our entire community and as part of the mission, seeks to support pet owners in crisis.

The Pet Resource Center (PRC) is an integral component of achieving this mission. The PRC is staffed by three Community Caseworkers who report to the Community Caseworker Supervisor, and is led by the Senior Manager of Social Work. We believe in respecting and supporting the pet and pet owner and seek to create a work culture that promotes compassion, innovation, and excellence. Community Caseworkers are responsible for all animals entering the shelter through law enforcement, Animal Control, transfers, stray pets found, and at times, owner surrenders. Community Caseworkers process incoming requests for pet surrenders, work with pet owners to keep pets in the home, work with community partners and human service organizations to create solutions for pets and owners, and counsel the public on animal care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Process all incoming animals, including stray, surrendered, and transferred animals. Support colleagues in managing animal flow. Employ the use of lower stress animal handling techniques.
• Deliver services and programs with an open-minded and inclusive attitude. Treat each community encounter with respect, kindness, and compassion.
• Respond to pet owners requesting assistance.
• Become familiar with community resources such as food banks, medical services, housing assistance, and other human services programs. Connect pet owners to community resources that they may need.
• Offer information and counseling on spay/neuter, animal behavior, basic veterinary care, and general pet care.
• Offer owners food, crates, carriers, and other supplies that may be available.
• Understand and abide by all federal, state, and local ordinances, as well as state regulations.
• Diligently enter communication and information into shelter management software, retrieve and report on data collected, and offer solutions based on data collected.
• Keep records of all communications and assistance provided to pet owners and community members. Track data with care and diligence.
• Provide re-homing packets to owners who wish to rehome their pets privately. Include adoption information, meet and greet instructions, questions to ask future owners, etc.
• Communicate critical information to colleagues as needed to ensure the highest standard of animal care and customer service.
• Follow all workplace safety rules, actively promoting a safe work environment and taking immediate action to prevent and address hazards.
• Follow all LHS disease transmission prevention protocols.
• Participate in interdepartmental discussions to support and develop LHS initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• Compassion for animals and pet owners, sometimes in emotionally difficult and complex situations, without judgment.
• Passion for serving the community as a whole and individual people.
• Highly collaborative with colleagues and community partners.
• Demonstrably sound judgement in dealing with the public and handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Highly developed critical thinking skills, a commitment to ongoing learning and growth, and a willingness to consistently address process improvement.
• Skilled at conflict resolution and dealing with challenging individuals.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and endure a fast pace.
• Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills with a diverse range of individuals, sometimes in an emotional, fast-paced setting.
• Proficiency with computers and able to quickly learn new software.
• General animal behavior and care knowledge.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and data entry.

Position Requirements:

• At least 18 years of age;
• High School Diploma or GED;
• Community outreach, customer service, or advocacy experience;
• No allergies to animals or chemical cleaning agents; and
• Able to work holidays and weekends as needed.

Preferred Skills/Knowledge:

• Experience in animal welfare and/or animal handling;
• Experience in human services and/or social welfare; and
• Fluency and/or proficiency in Spanish.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Considerable time communicating with the public;
• Regular contact with upset 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;
• 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 if working outdoors. 

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

Position: Customer Care Associate
Classification: Non-Exempt (hourly), Full-Time
Reports to: Customer Care Supervisor
Supervises: N/A

Position Summary:
The mission of the Lawrence Humane Society is to nurture the human-animal bond by providing shelter, care, and advocacy for homeless and vulnerable animals, as well as resources for the people and pets in our community. The Lawrence Humane Society realizes pet homelessness affects our entire community and as part of the mission, seeks to support pet owners in crisis.

Customer Care Associates at Lawrence Humane Society (LHS) are compassionate, hard-working professionals who enjoy a fast-paced, team-oriented environment. Their primary goal is to find suitable homes for the animals in LHS’ care by working with customers who visit the shelter and counseling them towards a great fit with one (or more) of our animals. Other duties include data entry, handling payments and donations, providing direct animal care and cleaning various areas of the shelter on a daily basis. LHS utilizes an open adoption philosophy that emphasizes reducing barriers and saving lives. 

Responsibilities:

Customer Service

• Provide extraordinary service to LHS customers who visit or call to inquire about our services and programs
• Actively engage members of the public from the moment they arrive or call LHS
• Counsel prospective adopters to match the appropriate animal to the adopter(s) and educate them on proper animal care
• Inform customers of the animal’s noted medical and behavioral history at LHS and prior (as available)
• Counsel customers on necessary future and ongoing veterinary care as well as any applicable programs and services
• Field (or transfer as needed) calls using a multi-line phone system
• Provide compassionate, respectful counseling to customers when the adoption is not a good fit

Animal Care

• Work with colleagues to provide all animals in LHS’ care with appropriate housing, food, water, bedding, toys and other mental and physical stimulation and enrichment
• Handle dogs (of various sizes and temperaments), cats, and occasionally small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.) safely and appropriately throughout the completion of daily cleaning and animal care tasks
• Adhere to established Standard Operating Procedures for shelter operations
• Monitor animals’ health and immediately report any concerns to medical staff 

Cleaning 

• Thoroughly clean kennels and other animal areas daily and as needed, helping to ensure a clean and sanitary facility at all times
• Use shelter database software and other means of communication and data tracking to to keep an accurate animal inventory, input animal behavior notes and other memos, submit medical exam requests, place holds, etc.

Data Entry and Administrative Tasks

• Process adoptions and related paperwork, collect adoption and other fees, issue receipts, and maintain records of adoption sales transactions
• Ensure all animal kennels are clearly and consistently labeled with accurate, up-to-date information about the animals residing in them

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
• Compassion and empathy for animal and human clients

• Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Maturity and professionalism
• Organized, detail-oriented, “self-starter” work ethic
• Problem solving skills
• Ability to work individually and on a team
• Windows and Microsoft Office proficiency.  Ability to learn new software.
• Commitment to ongoing learning and growth
• Sound judgement in handling sensitive and confidential information
• Able to communicate effectively with people of various ages and backgrounds

• No allergies to animals or chemical cleaning agents
• Able to work holidays and weekends as needed

Preferred Skills/Knowledge:

• Strong customer service background
• Ability to learn computer software quickly
• Calm and level-headed in difficult and emotional situations
• 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
• 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 (preferred, not required).

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

Position: Behavior Coordinator
Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-time
Reports to: Director of Operations
Supervises: Behavior Staff & Behavior Volunteers
Salary: Commensurate with experience

Position Summary: 

Lawrence Humane Society (LHS) is an animal shelter in Lawrence, KS that serves the needs of homeless companion animals, finds safe homes for more than 3,000 animals each year, offers 24-hour daily rescue for injured stray animals, and investigates allegations of animal abuse to assist law enforcement. More than 4,500 animals are admitted to our shelter every year.

The Foster and Transport Coordinator provides strategic direction for the foster, rescue, and transfer functions of the agency. They will partner closely with the Senior Manager of Programs to develop, implement and monitor all programs related to working closely with animal rescue groups and foster care providers to assure compliance with all company policies on rescue and foster care processes. Assists in the planning and completion of necessary arrangements and expedites documentation to assure most efficient and effective animal transition, in addition to any new initiatives LHS pursues. They will oversee and coordinate all foster and transfer functions and will support the Senior Manager of Programs’ role in determining appropriate placement and treatment decisions for shelter animals.

The FTC reports to the Senior Manager of Programs and is responsible for the supervision, scheduling, training, development and counseling of foster homes and applicable volunteers. They will participate in weekly management meetings, and will coach foster homes and volunteers by providing regular ongoing feedback. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Oversight and Strategic Development of LHS Behavior Programs:

• Supervise behavior volunteers, coordinating their training, placement, development, performance feedback and ongoing support
• Review behavior program practices and procedures to ensure efficient and economical use of time and other resources, and creates and updates SOPs and policies as needed
• Design and facilitate animal behavior and handling training to staff, providing follow up training and feedback as needed or requested, including on occasion, developing and directing behavior seminars and workshops for staff, volunteers, partners and the public
• Maintain accurate and complete records on animals, behavior modification plans, staff, volunteers, correspondence with the public, and activities related to behavior program
• Engage in open communication with DO to give and receive input regarding procedures, policies, personnel and budget issues related to behavior program
• In collaboration with the DO, Animal Welfare Manager and other colleagues, develop, maintain, and evaluate processes and procedures related to the behavior program to facilitate the smooth and timely flow of animals through the shelter
• Meet with DO on a regular basis to ensure goals are being met and priorities are aligned

Daily Operation of Behavior Programs:

• Oversee the execution of daily behavior program activities, including playgroups, dog and cat assessments, and animal socialization training classes
• Provide referral information and advice on animal behavior issues, training methods and training equipment to staff, volunteers, other stakeholders and the public both scheduled and unscheduled
• Design and manage individual training programs and behavior modification plans for shelter animals to improve behavior and increase chance for adoption
• Meet with members of the public who are surrendering their animal to glean detailed behavior information in order to help decide appropriate placement for the animal

Administrative:

• Draft an annual budget for the behavior program, tracking spending through the year to ensure adherence to the budget and requesting amendments as needed  
• Prepare monthly report on behavior program activities
• Collect data from new and existing behavior programs and activities to assess their feasibility and measure their effectiveness

Position Requirements:

• At least 18 years of age and a legal U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident

• High School Diploma or GED

• Bachelor’s degree in related area (may substitute adequate relevant work experience)
• 3+ years of work experience in an animal sheltering environment 
• Formal training in animal handling, training, and behavior evaluations
• Ability to assess and evaluate new animal training methods and equipment
• Knowledge of cat and dog breed characteristics and behaviors, animal restraint and handling techniques. Ability to interpret animal body language.
• Demonstrably sound judgement in dealing with the public and handling sensitive and confidential information
• Able to communicate effectively in person, on the phone, and through writing with people of various ages and backgrounds
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Commitment to ongoing learning and growth
• Windows and Microsoft Office proficiency
• No allergies to animals or chemical cleaning agents
• Some flexibility in availability to adjust work schedule in support of events and deadlines
• Experience in a supervisory role

Preferred Skills/Knowledge:

• Formal dog training certification
• Basic knowledge of Google applications
• Demonstrated teaching ability including basic teaching methods and curriculum development
• Experience in planning, leading and managing strategic projects
• Experience designing, conducting and analyzing research projects in an animal shelter environment

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• Work in a stationary position for extended periods of time using a computer
• Traverse the LHS facility and grounds for extended periods of time performing labor that may include walking, 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 animal bites, scratches, dander, parasites, infectious diseases, strong odors and fumes from caustic chemicals and animal waste
• Exposure to wet, cold, and/or humid conditions while working outdoors
• Exposure to high noise levels
• Use of a portable radio and headset required
• Operate LHS vehicles, including a truck and full-size van

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