Seasonal Neonate Specialist, Kitten Nursery (part time, overnight)

Please make sure to attach your resume to complete your application.

Summary:

If you are passionate about providing exceptional care to cats and kittens animals in need, and you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic and complex environment, the position of Neonate Specialist at the ASPCA Kitten Nursery may be for you.

The Kitten Nursery cares for hundreds of underage kittens and their mothers seasonally in a dedicated nursery environment as well as through an expanding foster program. Once these kittens are healthy and happy 8-week-olds, the Kitten Nursery helps them get ready for adoption through the ASPCA Adoption Center and partner shelters.

The Neonate Specialist will provide high-quality animal care to ensure all cats and kittens are experience the Five Freedoms on a daily basis. Additionally, Neonate Specialists will work under the direct guidance of veterinarians and licensed veterinarian technicians to assist in the delivery of individual animal and population level medical care following low-stress handling principles and shelter medicine best practices.

*This role is part-time, overnight and 32 hours weekly

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Animal Husbandry and Supportive Care (70%)

• Ensure every animal is provided with the Five Freedoms, every day
• Provide attentive care for all kittens, as well as nursing mother cats with kittens, including routine bottle feeding, assisted feeding, and stimulating elimination
• Provide clinical care for neonate cats, kittens and nursing cats and litters of the ASPCA Nursery which includes syringe feeding; administration of topical, oral and ophthalmic medications; nebulization
• Assist LVTs and Veterinarians with examinations and medical procedures
• Clean and sanitize cages, enclosures, and all equipment in accordance with Nursery SOPs and while utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment
• Ensure the comfort and cleanliness of shelter animals; provide appropriate bedding at all times, and appropriate daily enrichment
• Assess needs of kittens to help determine appropriate placement within the nursery and/or in foster care, based on age and health
• Continually monitor the nursery population for general well-being, signs of illness, and behavior concerns; communicate findings to appropriate team members as outlined in SOPs
• Handle and nurture kittens and queens appropriately, including providing socialization, consistent with established ASPCA protocols
• Collaborate with LVTs and DVMs to ensure continuity of care
• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty
• Transport animals and their medical records within ASPCA departments for necessary care, including but not limited to transfers to the ASPCA Animal Hospital, Adoption Center, and/or Community Medicine

Housekeeping and Maintenance (15%)

• Make certain the entire Kitten Nursery is kept extremely clean and orderly through the day
• *Assist with the preparation of supplies for foster caregivers
• *Assist in keeping supplies stocked by noting when supplies are running low; take inventory and stock supplies as needed

• Wash, dry, and put away laundry per SOPs

• *Work in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and requirements

• Advise Supervisor of any conditions that are unsafe including unrecognized hazards or infractions of safety rules

Record-Keeping, Communication and Work Performance (15%)

• Ensure accurate and timely data entry to animals' medical records, including transfer of information from other ASPCA departments' software systems and diagnostic test results from outside laboratories

• Actively participate in rounds
• *Engage in providing input and feedback about operational changes; learn, implement, and follow all departmental policies and protocols

• Demonstrate a high-quality standard of care for the animals; maintain a strong work ethic, and high levels of performance

• *Be an active learner - attend staff meetings and training sessions, seek-out opportunities to develop as a professional

• Collaborate enthusiastically and professionally with Kitten Nursery leadership, peers and colleagues

• *Represent the ASPCA in a professional, and courteous manner at all times

• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications:

• Exemplifies the ASPCA's Core Values:
  • Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals
  • Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes
  • Believes in Team - that we are stronger together
  • Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible
  • Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Compensation and benefits:

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

The target hiring range for this role is $22.25/h-23.25/h

For more information on our benefits offerings, click.

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Qualifications:

Able to lift up to 40 pounds, walk, bend, stand and reach constantly throughout at least a minimum 8 hour work day; able to vigorously, quickly, and thoroughly clean numerous animal enclosures, Able to provide appropriate care and handling for highly vulnerable population with naturally higher mortality rates, Able to work in an environment that includes exposure to cats, cat litter, unpleasant odors, and soiled animal cages, Basic computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and email; familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems a plus., Communicate with team members successfully and courteously during in-person, phone, and email conversations, Ensure and maintain high quality standard of care, work ethic, and performance; work independently without supervision and as part of a team, Excellent low-stress animal handling and restraint skills, Exhibit professionalism with stressful, time-sensitive and urgent situations, Knowledge of basic animal care, handling, and disease recognition; familiarity with veterinary hospital protocols and procedures, Maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols, Strong organizational skills and a high level of attention to detail, Work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions; demonstrate flexibility with work assignments and unique tasks

Language:

English (Required), Spanish

Education and Work Experience:

High School Diploma (Required)Experience working in an animal shelter and/or kitten nursery preferred, Minimum 2 years working with cats and kittens in a kennel, shelter, veterinary hospital or equivalent

Our EEO Policy:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA's standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA's People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Please don't forget to attach your resume to complete your application.

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA's vision - that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.