Seasonal Overnight Neonate Specialist, Kitten Nursery

Summary:

Overview

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.

Who We Are

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.

What Youll Do

• The Kitten Neonate Specialist reports directly to the Manager Medical Operations and has no direct reports.
• The Neonate Specialist will provide high-quality animal care to ensure all cats and kittens 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.

Where and When Youll Work

• This position is an on-site role and reports to the 92nd street ASPCA location.
• This is a seasonal overnight full-time role (late March-late November)

What Youll Get

Compensation

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 $23.05-$24.50 hourly.

Benefits

At the ASPCA you dont have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include but are not limited to:

• Affordable health coverage including medical employer-paid dental and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off that includes vacation time sick and bereavement time 10 company paid holidays and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities including classes on-the-job training coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers internal mobility opportunities to support in the field and so much more.

Responsibilities:

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance and 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

• 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; always provide appropriate bedding 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

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

Housekeeping and Maintenance (15%)

• Make certain the entire Kitten Nursery is kept extremely clean and orderly throughout 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

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

Qualifications

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

• Excellent low-stress animal handling and restraint skills

• High level of attention to detail

• Maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn implement and teach new protocols

• Ensure and maintain high quality standard of care work ethic and performance; work independently without supervision and as part of a team

• Work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions; demonstrate flexibility with work assignments and unique tasks

• Communicate with team members successfully and courteously during in-person phone and email conversations

• Exhibit professionalism with stressful time-sensitive and urgent situations

• Basic computer skills including Excel Microsoft Office and email; familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems a plus.

• 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

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

• Ability to exemplify ASPCAs core values and behavioral competencies

Education and Work Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent

• Minimum of 2 years working with cats and kittens in a kennel shelter veterinary hospital or equivalent

• Experience working in an animal shelter and/or kitten nursery preferred

• Fear Free certified or within 60 days of employment

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