Neonatal Lead Support Specialist

Austin Pets Alive

Job Location:

Austin, TX - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 7 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Neonatal Lead Support Specialist

APA! BACKGROUND: Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of Austins most dynamic and best-loved nonprofits. The organization is the leader in the no kill movement nationally and is considered a national thought leader in animal welfare. APA! locally rescues treats and adopts out 10000 homeless dogs and cats each year providing the safety net for Austins most at-risk shelter pets which helps Austin to be a no-kill city while also assisting other communities in saving homeless animals. The organization is distinguished by the scrappiness of its grassroots non-traditional community-based animal rescue work.

The organization continues to innovate best practices to save lives and teaches its renowned lifesaving model through American Pets Alive! APA!s national 2020 AmPA! began the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) project a collaborative movement of more than 10000 animal welfare professionals working in nearly 1900 organizations. HASS is the first-of-its-kind collective of shelters and animal welfare professionals coming together to build community-focused animal services that better meet the needs of people and pets by keeping human-animal families together and keeping pets unnecessarily out of shelters.

Brief Position Summary & Overview
The Neonatal Lead Support Specialist plays a vital role in supporting the APA! Neonatal Program while working in close collaboration with the Cat Adoption Program. This position specializes in the placement of neonatal animals and is responsible for ensuring high-quality care strict adherence to APA! protocols and the smooth transition of neonates into foster homes. The role also supports animals throughout their entire stay in the Neonatal Program helping ensure positive outcomes and continuity of care.

The Neonatal Lead Support Specialist plays a key role in advancing the goals of APA!s Neonatal Program. This position contributes directly to APA!s mission to increase the live release rate across Texas by supporting a sustainable inclusive and high-impact model for shelter operations.

The Neonatal Lead Support Specialist is responsible for managing their daily responsibilities maintaining clear priorities and delivering consistent high-quality work that aligns with APA!s values and goals. This includes staying organized using data or feedback to inform decisions and following through on key tasks and responsibilities with minimal oversight. This is a hands-on mission-driven role focused on results reliability and teamwork.

APA! is a volunteer-powered organization so every staff member is expected to work alongside and support volunteers. The Neonatal Lead Support Specialist collaborates closely with volunteers to complete day-to-day tasks helps create a positive and inclusive environment and actively contributes to a culture of shared effort and mutual respect.

This position may involve shift flexibility weekend hours and responsiveness during times of high need or MOD coverage.

Every individual at APA! is responsible for working in collaboration with volunteers; making sure volunteers are recruited trained and feel impactful through their efforts at APA!. A core part of this role is creating a welcoming and empowering experience for volunteers including assisting with onboarding training and volunteer engagement as part of the day-to-day workflow.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Train and lead all staff and volunteer placement coordinators
Maintain a positive and respectful attitude towards each of our individual fosters recognizing them as valuable volunteers. Assess their skills requirements and preferences to provide tailored support and guidance.
Oversee the creation and distribution of communications across various platforms (email phone text social media) to effectively recruit fosters.
Monitor daily RescueCat emails coordinate pulling animals with Neonatal Managers
Work with transport volunteers to coordinate the transport of neonatal animals and supplies from shelters and foster homes
Act as a primary point of contact for fosters and volunteer mentors
Work with the Intake Team to prioritize outside-shelter neonatal program animal rescues
Vet potential fosters to determine overall program eligibility
Guide fosters through the application training and foster matchmaking process
Maintain up-to-date records of all neonatal foster parents using the ShelterLuv database and program-specific spreadsheets
Maintain familiarity with the programs most experienced and medically advanced fosters including those able to take on emergency placements
Maintain up-to-date records of all neonatal program animals in need of fosters as well as those already placed in foster using both the ShelterLuv database and program-specific spreadsheets
Market kittens and puppies to fosters including writing urgent pleas photographing onsite animals and reaching out to fosters directly via email text or phone
Match potential fosters to specific animals based on foster interests and skill level
Repurpose fosters for different animals based on priority placement deadlines and care needs
Hand off puppies and kittens to foster parents including arranging pick up & drop off timing fulfilling supply requests and explaining medications
Work closely with other Placement Specialists to determine division of labor & delegation of tasks
Maintain an onsite presence to handle onsite foster customer service experiences and assist in tasks relating to foster placements
Provide excellent customer service to fosters via phone text email and in person
Train fosters both virtually and in person on feeding neonatal animals and administering medications
Assist Neonatal Care team as needed with administering medication feeding neonates by hand completing intake exams and data entry
Disinfect crates and carriers per nursery protocols and share in nursery upkeep
Comply with the APA! Core Values.
Actively contribute to a volunteer-powered culture by partnering with volunteers during every shift and helping create an inclusive welcoming environment
Work alongside volunteers to complete daily tasks ensuring the work is shared and collaborativenot siloed
Support the recruitment and onboarding process by welcoming new volunteers and helping them get oriented to the program
Help retain volunteers by offering encouragement guidance and feedback during shared work
Recommend strong volunteers for deeper involvement or specialized roles to your supervisor or volunteer manager
Contribute to a positive culture by recognizing volunteer contributions through appreciation gratitude and shoutouts
Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks providing hands-on guidance and offering in-the-moment support
Job duties may include some or all of the above and other duties as assigned by manager

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Attend and participate in essential trainings covering fundamental cat husbandry practices and techniques for administering medications
Assist with Tarrytown Cattery-specific tasks such as care cleaning and adoption processing.
Collaborate closely with the Cat Coordinators to enhance the foster-to-event process streamline foster communication and boost event promotion efforts.
Able to demonstrate time management to complete job responsibilities
Off-season support in other APA! departments based on needs
Must demonstrate dependability accountability time management use of reasoning and good judgment skills
Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings
Maintain open and consistent communication with Program Manager or designee supervisor and other colleagues
Partner with Volunteer Managers to learn about the volunteer programs and support volunteers interested in your department on an ongoing basis
Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
Able to work evenings weekends and holidays as needed
Able to work in a high-volume fast-paced high-stress environment
Comfortable working autonomously when given goals and deadlines
Other duties as needed

QUALIFICATIONS SKILLS AND EXPECTATIONS

Demonstrate unwavering kindness when handling all cats maintaining a compassionate approach without exception.
Uphold a standard of integrity in all actions and decisions.
Thrive in a high-volume fast-paced and high-stress environment showcasing self-motivation a positive attitude and a strong team-oriented mindset.
Execute responsibilities efficiently with minimal oversight demonstrating a proactive approach to tasks.
Exhibit keen attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions accurately.
Maintain punctuality and regular attendance.
Demonstrate effective communication skills in person over the phone and via email.
Possess basic experience in cat handling and care.
Display foundational knowledge of common feline health conditions.
Possess fundamental knowledge of cat behavior.
Demonstrate proficiency in performing all duties responsibilities and required skills.
Adapt positively to changes and willingly undertake additional responsibilities as assigned.
Exhibit effective communication and customer service skills.
Show competency in computer skills with a preference for familiarity with Google Apps.
Committed to embodying APA!s Core Values: Innovation Respect Drive Resourcefulness and Inclusion and cultural values: Humble Hungry Smart
Commitment to APA!s customer experience expectations
Passion for working well with staff volunteers and customershelping all individuals feel successful appreciated and connected to APA!s mission
Strong commitment to volunteer engagement and support; dedicated to working well with volunteers across all roles
Comfortable working cross-functionally and serving as a liaison between volunteers customers and team members
Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interpret rules procedures and instructional materials
Self-starter with strong time management; able to work independently and collaboratively
Excellent interpersonal skills; maintains a calm and professional presence in all situations
Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality
Dedicated to delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience
Uphold the mission and culture of APA! in a positive manner across all activities.
Fluency in English and Spanish desired

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work around animals (including diseased injured and/or potentially aggressive animals) loud noises chlorine or other chemicals and inclement weather
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions
Must be able to comfortably interact with cats of various health levels including cats who may carry zoonotic diseases such as ringworm scabies intestinal parasites etc.
Able to be on your feet for multiple hours of the day
Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away
Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away
Must be able to walk around shelter as needed - uneven ground keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers
Will sit stand walk talk hear stoop bend stretch squat kneel grasp grip put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds and push and pull up to 50 pounds for situations of moving supplies and setting up for events; repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.
If reasonable accommodations are requested reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job absent undue hardship to the organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Standard office environment with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals
Uses own transportation to travel and transport
Occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required to support program needs
Work is normally performed inside; some outside work is required
Exposure to unpleasant odors and noises.
Exposure to bites scratches and animal waste
Possible exposure to contagious diseases
Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste disinfectants and high levels of noise
Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people

TIME COMMITMENT

This is a full-time nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week.
Shift and schedule flexibility is required as weekly schedule is subject to change
Able to work evenings weekends and holidays as needed

PAY:
This position starts at $18.00 / hour. Eligible employees will be able to receive up to $2/hr stipend within approximately 6 months through successful completion of internal APATec certifications (applicable to shelter operations customer service and medical roles). *Certifications and stipends are discretionary and subject to change based on business need.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The Neonatal Placement Support Lead Specialist collaborates closely with the Cat Placement and Cat Adoption Support Coordinator and the Major Medical Cats Coordinator to deliver exceptional customer service and support to fosters responsible for APA! animals. Additionally this role involves close coordination with Cat Placement & Adoption placement specialists clinic staff and case managers.

LOCATIONS:

APA! Neonatal Nursery at Tarrytown 3102 Windsor Road Austin TX 78703
Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) Campus located at 1156 West Cesar Chavez Austin Texas 78703
May travel to offsite locations as needed

BENEFITS:
Austin Pets Alive! is proud to offer a competitive benefits package for full-time employees including subsidized employer-sponsored medical coverage subsidized and voluntary life insurance voluntary dental vision and short-term disability options all effective the first day of employment. We also offer voluntary wellness and emergency sick plans up to 2% match on 401(K) retirement plan supplemental benefits flexible spending accounts and additional life coverage. Full-time employees receive 10 paid holidays and accrue 10 days paid time off during the first year of employment with an additional 5 days of PTO accrual upon completion of 12 months of employment. Employees will also receive professional development opportunities through APA!s ongoing mission to advance our animal welfare professionals in our life-saving work.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT
Austin Pets Alive! is an equal employment opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by the issues we engage on. We especially encourage people of color LGBTQ people women transgender and gender non-conforming people and people with disabilities to apply.

Austin Pets Alive! does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race color religion sex national origin age disability veteran status marital status sexual orientation gender identity or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Austin Pets Alive! is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion respect and integrity community focus and innovation.

APA! is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation please contact Talent Acquisition at at least one week in advance of your interview.

Required Experience:

Neonatal Lead Support SpecialistAPA! BACKGROUND: Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of Austins most dynamic and best-loved nonprofits. The organization is the leader in the no kill movement nationally and is considered a national thought leader in animal welfare. APA! locally rescues treats and adopts...

Neonatal Lead Support Specialist

Train and lead all staff and volunteer placement coordinators
Maintain a positive and respectful attitude towards each of our individual fosters recognizing them as valuable volunteers. Assess their skills requirements and preferences to provide tailored support and guidance.
Oversee the creation and distribution of communications across various platforms (email phone text social media) to effectively recruit fosters.
Monitor daily RescueCat emails coordinate pulling animals with Neonatal Managers
Work with transport volunteers to coordinate the transport of neonatal animals and supplies from shelters and foster homes
Act as a primary point of contact for fosters and volunteer mentors
Work with the Intake Team to prioritize outside-shelter neonatal program animal rescues
Vet potential fosters to determine overall program eligibility
Guide fosters through the application training and foster matchmaking process
Maintain up-to-date records of all neonatal foster parents using the ShelterLuv database and program-specific spreadsheets
Maintain familiarity with the programs most experienced and medically advanced fosters including those able to take on emergency placements
Maintain up-to-date records of all neonatal program animals in need of fosters as well as those already placed in foster using both the ShelterLuv database and program-specific spreadsheets
Market kittens and puppies to fosters including writing urgent pleas photographing onsite animals and reaching out to fosters directly via email text or phone
Match potential fosters to specific animals based on foster interests and skill level
Repurpose fosters for different animals based on priority placement deadlines and care needs
Hand off puppies and kittens to foster parents including arranging pick up & drop off timing fulfilling supply requests and explaining medications
Work closely with other Placement Specialists to determine division of labor & delegation of tasks
Maintain an onsite presence to handle onsite foster customer service experiences and assist in tasks relating to foster placements
Provide excellent customer service to fosters via phone text email and in person
Train fosters both virtually and in person on feeding neonatal animals and administering medications
Assist Neonatal Care team as needed with administering medication feeding neonates by hand completing intake exams and data entry
Disinfect crates and carriers per nursery protocols and share in nursery upkeep
Comply with the APA! Core Values.
Actively contribute to a volunteer-powered culture by partnering with volunteers during every shift and helping create an inclusive welcoming environment
Work alongside volunteers to complete daily tasks ensuring the work is shared and collaborativenot siloed
Support the recruitment and onboarding process by welcoming new volunteers and helping them get oriented to the program
Help retain volunteers by offering encouragement guidance and feedback during shared work
Recommend strong volunteers for deeper involvement or specialized roles to your supervisor or volunteer manager
Contribute to a positive culture by recognizing volunteer contributions through appreciation gratitude and shoutouts
Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks providing hands-on guidance and offering in-the-moment support
Job duties may include some or all of the above and other duties as assigned by manager

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

Attend and participate in essential trainings covering fundamental cat husbandry practices and techniques for administering medications
Assist with Tarrytown Cattery-specific tasks such as care cleaning and adoption processing.
Collaborate closely with the Cat Coordinators to enhance the foster-to-event process streamline foster communication and boost event promotion efforts.
Able to demonstrate time management to complete job responsibilities
Off-season support in other APA! departments based on needs
Must demonstrate dependability accountability time management use of reasoning and good judgment skills
Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings
Maintain open and consistent communication with Program Manager or designee supervisor and other colleagues
Partner with Volunteer Managers to learn about the volunteer programs and support volunteers interested in your department on an ongoing basis
Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
Able to work evenings weekends and holidays as needed
Able to work in a high-volume fast-paced high-stress environment
Comfortable working autonomously when given goals and deadlines
Other duties as needed

QUALIFICATIONS SKILLS AND EXPECTATIONS

Demonstrate unwavering kindness when handling all cats maintaining a compassionate approach without exception.
Uphold a standard of integrity in all actions and decisions.
Thrive in a high-volume fast-paced and high-stress environment showcasing self-motivation a positive attitude and a strong team-oriented mindset.
Execute responsibilities efficiently with minimal oversight demonstrating a proactive approach to tasks.
Exhibit keen attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions accurately.
Maintain punctuality and regular attendance.
Demonstrate effective communication skills in person over the phone and via email.
Possess basic experience in cat handling and care.
Display foundational knowledge of common feline health conditions.
Possess fundamental knowledge of cat behavior.
Demonstrate proficiency in performing all duties responsibilities and required skills.
Adapt positively to changes and willingly undertake additional responsibilities as assigned.
Exhibit effective communication and customer service skills.
Show competency in computer skills with a preference for familiarity with Google Apps.
Committed to embodying APA!s Core Values: Innovation Respect Drive Resourcefulness and Inclusion and cultural values: Humble Hungry Smart
Commitment to APA!s customer experience expectations
Passion for working well with staff volunteers and customershelping all individuals feel successful appreciated and connected to APA!s mission
Strong commitment to volunteer engagement and support; dedicated to working well with volunteers across all roles
Comfortable working cross-functionally and serving as a liaison between volunteers customers and team members
Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interpret rules procedures and instructional materials
Self-starter with strong time management; able to work independently and collaboratively
Excellent interpersonal skills; maintains a calm and professional presence in all situations
Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality
Dedicated to delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience
Uphold the mission and culture of APA! in a positive manner across all activities.
Fluency in English and Spanish desired

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to work around animals (including diseased injured and/or potentially aggressive animals) loud noises chlorine or other chemicals and inclement weather
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions
Must be able to comfortably interact with cats of various health levels including cats who may carry zoonotic diseases such as ringworm scabies intestinal parasites etc.
Able to be on your feet for multiple hours of the day
Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away
Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away
Must be able to walk around shelter as needed - uneven ground keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers
Will sit stand walk talk hear stoop bend stretch squat kneel grasp grip put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds and push and pull up to 50 pounds for situations of moving supplies and setting up for events; repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.
If reasonable accommodations are requested reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job absent undue hardship to the organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Standard office environment with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals
Uses own transportation to travel and transport
Occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required to support program needs
Work is normally performed inside; some outside work is required
Exposure to unpleasant odors and noises.
Exposure to bites scratches and animal waste
Possible exposure to contagious diseases
Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste disinfectants and high levels of noise
Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people

TIME COMMITMENT

This is a full-time nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week.
Shift and schedule flexibility is required as weekly schedule is subject to change
Able to work evenings weekends and holidays as needed

APA! Neonatal Nursery at Tarrytown 3102 Windsor Road Austin TX 78703
Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) Campus located at 1156 West Cesar Chavez Austin Texas 78703
May travel to offsite locations as needed

Required Experience:

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About Company

Austin Pets Alive

Austin Pets Alive! is not your average animal shelter. We pioneer innovative lifesaving programs designed to save the animals most at risk of euthanasia.

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