Animal Rescue Specialist

Salary: $17.83 – $21.85 Hourly

Location : Mesquite, TX

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 1302293

Department: Animal Services

Division: Animal Services

Opening Date: 08/25/2023

Closing Date: 9/25/2023 4:00 PM Central

GENERAL SUMMARY

Salary: $17.83/hr. minimum – $21.85/hr. mid (Depending on qualifications)

To provide a direct point of contact with rescue organizations on behalf of the shelter. Network pets at our shelter to raise the ability in rehoming options. Communicate with the public about special events, promotional opportunities for the shelter, and pets at offsite adoption events. Maintain social media accounts.

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SUPERVISION

• General supervision is provided by the Manager of Animal Services.
• Animal Rescue Specialist is responsible for communication with rescue and transfer groups, monitoring health status of animals, evaluating shelter capacity, promoting animals for transfer, general oversight of shelter volunteers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. All behaviors comply with the Code of Conduct and Rules of Behavior outlined in Chapter 8 of the General Government Policies and Procedures Manual.
2. Oversee the volunteer and rescue programs; provide training and guidance, maintain paperwork, screen rescue agencies, establish and maintain relationships and promote animals to organizations.
3. Develop and administer the department’s social media strategies to educate and engage the community, improve animals returned to their owners, increase donations and attendance at adoption events.
4. Coordinate rescue partner recruitment and transfer processes.
5. Works closely with staff to evaluate animals needing rescue or transfer, coordinates transfers.
6. Reviews animal statuses daily to reduce the average length of stay.
7. Compose, prepare, and review a variety of memorandums, correspondence, reports, public notices and documents as assigned; complete various forms; prepare and distribute reports for review and use; prepare and maintain a variety of forms used by an assigned department; may coordinate payroll activities.
8. Prepare materials and correspondence for distribution within the city and to other related external businesses and governmental agencies.
9. Conduct education programs including making presentations on public access television, visiting schools and advertising animal care programs in the newspaper or on social media.
10. Monitor the health and cleanliness of the shelter. Assist in daily cleaning activities for the shelter. Enter and monitor medication schedules and veterinary notes for animals in the shelter. Participate in daily rounds at the shelter to monitor health and capacity concerns.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

• Associate Degree from an accredited college, university, or vocational school.

EXPERIENCE

• Professional level work experience may substitute for the Associate Degree requirement.
• One (1) year of professional-level work experience may be substituted for each year of required education, up to a maximum substitution of two (2) years.
• High school diploma or GED is required when substituting professional-level work experience for the Associate Degree requirement.
• At least one (1) year of experience in animal sheltering, animal care or animal welfare.
• At least two (2) years of experience in a position involving customer service, community relations, relationship building or training.
• Experience in various social media marketing mediums.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Euthanasia Certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire date.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Sunday – Thursday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

REQUIRED TESTING (only if interviewed)

• Typing, Customer Service, proofreading and Spelling

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

Full Time Employees:

The City of Mesquite offers the Zero Premium, Employee Only Benefits under the following plans: High Deductible Medical Plan, HMO Dental Plan, Vision Plan, and Life Insurance.
The City is self-insured and offers a choice of four medical plans: HSA, High Deductible, HMO, PPO, and EPO Medical Plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. Employee medical coverage goes into effect the first day of the month following 30 days of employment. Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates. Employees enrolled in the City’s self-insured medical plan also have access to the Mesquite Employee Health Center (MEHC) clinic and pharmacy.

The City offers three dental plan options: a managed plan (DHMO), an indemnity plan (DPPO), an enhanced indemnity plan (DPPO Enhanced). Coverage is available to all full-time employees at group rates.

The City offers free Vision Insurance to all employees. Dependents can be added for an additional fee.

Basic Group Life Insurance protection is provided to eligible full-time employees in the amount of two times the annual salary as recorded at the beginning of each year. The following voluntary benefits are available to full-time employees: Supplemental Life, AD&D Insurance, Cancer Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): All employees appointed to positions designated to work 1,000 hours or more per year must participate in the TMRS. TMRS is a qualified tax-deferred retirement plan under Section 401 of the IRS. Seven (7) percent of gross earnings are deducted each payroll as a pre-tax deduction and deposited into the member account. When an employee becomes vested and retires, the City provides 2-to-1 matching contributions.

Other benefits include Social Security, Tax Saver Program (Section 125 Flexible Spending Account), Deferred Compensation Plans, Direct Deposit, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Sick Leave and Personal Leave.
For more information about the City of Mesquite’s employee benefits, please visit:

01

Select the option that best represents the highest level of education you have COMPLETED.

• Some high school or GED equivalency
• High school graduate or GED certificate equivalency completion
• Some technical or community college attendance
• Technical school certificate completion
• Associate’s Degree
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Master’s Degree
• Ph.D.
• Juris Doctorate

02

Indicate the amount of verifiable experience in animal sheltering, animal care or animal welfare.

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• More than 5 years’ experience

03

Indicate the amount of verifiable experience in a position involving customer service, community relations, relationship building and/or training.

• No Experience
• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• More than 5 years experience

04

Indicate the amount of experience in various social media marketing mediums.

• No Experience
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• More than 5 years experience

05

Are you currently certified by the Texas Department of Health as a Basic Animal Control Officer?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess a Euthanasia Certifcation?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have a valid driver’s license?

• Yes
• No

08

Please read carefully: If you currently work for the City of Mesquite have you been working in your current position for at least 3 months? Please indicate the option that best represents your current status.

• No, I do NOT work for the City of Mesquite.
• Yes, I work for the City of Mesquite as a seasonal employee.
• Yes, I work for the City of Mesquite as a fulltime/parttime employee for 3 or more months.
• Yes, I work for the City of Mesquite as a fulltime/parttime employee, but I have NOT been in my current position for 3 months.

Required Question