Animal Processing Specialist

Looking to make a difference in the lives of pets and people With an almost year-round beautiful blue sky and a scenic mountain backdrop HSPPR is a nonprofit animal shelter serving El Paso Pueblo and Douglas Counties as well as the City of Centennial. We employ a total of 200 employees. We are an organization that celebrates and prioritizes diversity and inclusion.

Job Summary

The Animal Processing Specialist is responsible for providing training to Animal Processors; performing all duties related to processing animals in the shelter; assessing the initial health and behavior of animals and monitors changes; assisting in the humane euthanasia process; working cohesively with coworkers other departments and volunteers; and assisting the public in a professional manner. The Animal Processing Specialist ensures an environment of compassionate and respectful animal and people care in accordance with HSPPRs mission values goals and management philosophy.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Animal Care Operations

• Trains new and existing Animal Processors in all aspects of animal processing including intake and follow-up exams daily exam reviews vaccine boosters health and weight checks identifying health concerns for animals and reporting findings to the medical team.
• Serves as the Euthanasia Lead performing humane euthanasia of animals as well as proper care and disposal of deceased animals.
• Assists in keeping all training manuals procedures checklists and tests up to date.
• Performs all Animal Processor job duties.

Relationships

• Cultivates and maintains relationships with peers and volunteers.
• Supports staff and volunteers; provide quality services to clients volunteers and employees recognizing their individual contributions to the success of our organization.

Communication

• Communicates issues and concerns to the Animal Processing Supervisor.
• Communicates effectively with staff and volunteers so pertinent parties are informed of animal care issues/information.
• Documents staff and volunteer complaints. Handles complaints and/or concerns with professionalism and good judgment. Involves Admissions Manager as necessary.
• Communicates with and provides regular feedback and/or coaching to volunteers in a professional and timely manner.
• Informs Admissions Manager of developments that may affect HSPPR or the department including department progress media exposure public image client concerns and personnel issues.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Properly maintains equipment used.
• Restocks all supply items daily. Reports need for ordering maintenance and inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Plans and organizes in anticipation of future needs.

Other

• Commitment to the mission values goals and success of HSPPR.
• Appropriately documents observed animal behaviors utilizing objective language as required in relevant procedures and/or policies.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Duties

• None

Physical Demands

• Regularly sits at computer station often in a shared office environment.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move 25 or more pounds of moving weight and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 or more pounds of moving weight.
• Occasionally required to climb or balance stoop kneel crouch crawl and smell.
• Regularly required to sit reach with hands and arms talk hear and is frequently required to stand and walk. May be expected to be on feet for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to use both hands and arms to grip pull and push utilizing safety equipment such as but not limited to catch poles snappy snares leashes ropes muzzles.
• Consistently exposed to animals in the workplace and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Must handle various animals of various sizes including aggressive animals
• Exposed to zoonotic diseases.
• Regularly exposed to noise and potential exposure to hazardous weather conditions.
• Potential exposure to cleaning supplies and/or other substances containing toxic or caustic chemicals.

Schedule Requirements

• Wednesday - Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Schedule may include weekend and holiday work.

Education/Experience Necessary

• One year of professional experience working with animals in an animal welfare zoological organization or other animal care field desired.
  
• Certified to euthanize at HSPPR required; if not currently certified must become fully trained and certified within sixty (60) days of start date.
  
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
  
• Previous teaching or training experience preferred.
  
• Knowledge of veterinary care/animal health desired.

**Application Deadline: June 23 2025 or until position filled**

Benefits include:

Health Insurance 401K with employer matching up to 4% of salary Dental and vision* Insurances Supplemental Group Insurance* Short and long term disability Insurance Paid time off Holidays Direct Deposit Personal Pet Perks

(*) Employee pays the full premium

The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this program go to core values of the staff unite us and guide us to provide the best service to the animals in our care our organization and our community.

Core Values Statements-

• Compassion: We believe that animals matter. We are committed to treating animals and people with kindness respect and compassion.
• Stewardship: We are accountable and transparent in our actions and in the use of our resources to build trust in those we serve.
• Integrity: We believe we can make the greatest impact by staying true to our mission always doing what is best for the animals and people of our community and by standing united in our decisions.
• Excellence: We are passionate about our mission and strive for excellence through continual learning innovation and the development of our board staff and volunteers.
• Collaboration: We seek strategic partnerships and alliances to advance the welfare and protection of animals and people.
• Service: We exist to serve our communities and operate with this commitment to serve as front and center in all we do.

As a condition of employment with HSPPR you will be required to authorize HSPPR and ProScreening to conduct a background check before confirming an employment start date. The background check will include a criminal investigation verification of citizenship/immigration status and a motor vehicle record. By applying for this position you acknowledge and agree that any offers of employment will be contingent upon completion of the background check to the satisfaction of HSPPR.

In consideration of any offers of employment made as a result of your interest in this position by applying for this position you hereby waive any and all claims that you may have against HSPPR for invasion of privacy in respect to drug testing and background checks as listed above.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority