Job Details
Level
Experienced
Job Location
Bellevue – Bellevue, WA
Position Type
Full Time
Education Level
4 Year Degree
Salary Range
$66,000.00 – $75,000.00 Salary/year
Job Category
Nonprofit – Social Services
POSITION SUMMARY: The Veterinary Social Worker will work closely with other departments at SH (Seattle Humane) as well as social service agencies across the Seattle metro area to connect pet owners to needed resources and support. They will also provide resources and support to SH employees and volunteers through wellness activities and referral discussions. to expand available services for pet owners, making a difference in the lives of pets & their people. The Veterinary Social Worker is expected to work with the public and to help connect pet owners from all walks of life to resources for their pets. The Veterinary Social Worker is a grant-funded position. The grant is expected to be renewed on an annual basis over a three-year period through 2026.
BENEFITS:
At Seattle Humane, we believe in investing in our people, you’ll receive competitive benefits and perks, including full health & wellness coverage, generous paid time off starting at three weeks, 10 paid holidays, an employer matching retirement plan, personal pet allowance, employee sabbaticals, tuition reimbursement for Vet Tech school, a budget toward continuing education, bonuses, discounts, and you get to work around cute animals!
Check out our LIST of benefits and perks HERE
Sound like something you want to be a part of? Then apply today!
WHO WE ARE:
Seattle Humane is more than a shelter, we are a community resource center. We’re meeting the increasing need for pet owner support services, so that families don’t have to choose between an overdue bill and a beloved family member. We’re training the next generation of veterinarians in our state-of-the-art medical center. We’re building a community of animal advocates through our volunteer and youth education programs. The impact of Seattle Humane is life-changing, for the animals in our care and the people who love them. Our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with the people who will love them. Through our outreach, advocacy, and services, we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all.
Take a look at our Vision for the Future, which will guide our work and priorities in the years to come.
KEY OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
50% Case Work
- Connect clients and staff with community resources and follow-up on referrals as needed.
- Act as a liaison between the animal owner and veterinary medical team, help communicate the owner’s questions and concerns. ensure the vet’s information is presented in a manner the client can understand.
- Meet with clients, providing short term supportive counseling during end-of-life decision making, pet euthanasia, hospitalization of pets, humane law enforcement cases, resource support, and during the surrender process.
- Meet with and have family discussions with children (communicate about surrender, illness, passing of pet).
25% Community Engagement & Partnerships
- In collaboration with internal stakeholders including but not limited to: Culture & Belonging Manager, Director of Community Medicine, Director of Community Programs, Jobs & Housing Navigator and the Director of the PRC (Pet Resource Center), proactively engage with community agencies working on issues such as housing and food insecurities, as well as education.
- Identify and develop partnerships for effective and expanded service and resource delivery to pet owners.
- Work with operational Vice Presidents (VPs) and Human Resources (HR) management addressing current issues and collaborate to create community and industry solutions for addressing compassion fatigue, navigating end of life circumstances, conflict management, and personal wellness as it relates to their pets.
20% Staff Support & Training
- In collaboration with HR manager, facilitate employee wellness events and opportunities for managing compassion fatigue, end of life cases, conflict management, and personal wellness.
- Design and facilitate education and trainings for employees and volunteers on human/social service issues (such as: unhoused, mental health issues, poverty, domestic violence abuse, racial inequity) and strategies on supporting clients during everyday interactions.
- Participate in education and mentorship of veterinary students, providing insight into client/patient interactions and support with challenging client interactions, DVM communications, and professional relationships.
- Stay current on pet-related issues, human/social service issues, and available pet resources in the community and help establish and maintain written resources, protocols, and procedures. Continually find ways to improve processes and advance the program.
5% Other Duties
- Manage data and reporting related to project activities, milestones, and success indicators. Ensure appropriate data is collected, analyze data, and utilize it to inform and update current programs.
- Establish storage of client documentation that is confidential
- Interface with animals of varying species, size, and temperament, both in carriers and on leashes. Handle individual animals in a safe, caring, and respectful manner.
- Assist all related internal and external departments as needed to support the program.
- Develop and implement a Veterinary Social Work internship program through applicable universities and serve as a field instructor.
- Commits to the Seattle Humane mission and vision for the future.
- Commits to valuing diversity and contributes to an inclusive working environment that is sensitive to other opinions, culture, and perspectives.
- Other duties as assigned
COMMUNICATION/INTERPERSONAL CONTACT:
- Daily verbal communication with division and other operational staff and volunteers in person, over the telephone, and in meetings. Daily written communication with staff and volunteers through email, Teams, written procedures, memos, or direct mail.
- Regular contact with clients in person or via phone, email, or direct mail
- Regular verbal and written contact with other animal welfare agencies
- May represents Seattle Humane for donor, media events, and in community at large.
COMPLEXITY:
A high degree of independent judgment is required. The nature of the job will vary. Must be able to coordinate staff and volunteers and remain focused on the agency goals and objectives. A strong attention to detail and the ability to respond to unexpected questions, comments or requests from other divisions or the public is required. The ability to motivate, negotiate and mediate is important when handling a variety of personalities and emotions. Must be able to communicate effectively and display cultural competency with many people with varying backgrounds. Requires excellent client service skills. Must work well within a team setting.
KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION OR TRAINING:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker or working towards licensure in WA state.
- 3+ years’ experience working in a hospital, hospice, or social services setting.
- Highly skilled in crisis management and grief counseling.
- Advanced knowledge of pet and human community resources in the Washington Area.
- Excellent client service skills, including ability to work in an empathetic manner with clients in emotionally charged situations, either in person, via email, or on the telephone.
- Able to maintain a professional and neat appearance, exercise sound judgment and maintain a professional demeanor during all interactions with the public, partner agencies, donors, staff, and volunteers.
- Must demonstrate a value system that is in accordance with the interests of the agency and clientele served (NASW Code of Ethics).
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Able to work independently with a high level of accountability.
- Able to work weekends, evenings and holidays as needed.
- Able to maintain a valid Driver’s License and provide proof of auto insurance as travel within the tri-county area is a requirement of this position.
- Comfortable and skilled in working with culturally diverse teams, volunteers, and community members.
- Commitment to the Seattle Humane mission, values and behaviors. Passion for animals, their welfare and their connection with humans.
- A self-starter, facilitator, organizer, and innovator.
- Organizational and planning skills to determine work priorities, schedules, and time.
Preferred
- Postgraduate Veterinary Social Work certificate.
- 5+ years of work experience providing client service and administrative support.
- 5+ years’ experience working in animal welfare.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Requires the ability to solve problems and make clear decisions quickly
- Must organize and manage multiple and complex projects
- Must focus on strategic goals and objectives
- Must possess sensitivity to other opinions, perspectives, or cultures
- Must offer excellent client service (internal and external)
- Must have difficult conversations with staff, volunteers, clients, and other shelters in a sensitive manner
- Must feel comfortable communicating with individuals in crisis exhibiting escalated emotions and irrational behaviors including but not limited to anger, confusion, distress, anxiousness, and fear.
- Must lift and carry at least 30 pounds with or without accommodation
WORKING CONDITIONS: General office environment in addition to direct handling of animals which presents the potential of animal bites, exposure to zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted from vertebrate animals to people), animal dander, and noise. Working directly with escalated clients frequently.
Equipment Use: Regular use of computer, printer, copy machine, multi-line telephone, and animal restraint or animal training devices.
Chemical Interaction: A wide variety of cleaners, disinfectants, detergents, and medical products are used daily. Each position at the SHS will encounter these chemicals during the routine performance of their duties. Specific instructions will be provided by an SHS staff member for the safe and proper use of these chemicals. If there are any questions regarding this information, copies of our chemical MSDS sheets are available for review. If asked to use a product that is unfamiliar, contact your supervisor for proper instructions.
Work Hours: Full-time position, 40 hours a week. Must be willing to work some evening and/or weekend hours as needed. Attendance required at all-staff meetings and assigned training workshops or meetings. Some travel may be required for training, mentorship, collaboration and/or conferences.
Equal Opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Humane is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
COVID-19 Information
Vaccinations are mandatory at Seattle Humane. Seattle Humane reasonably accommodates those whose medical conditions or religious beliefs prevent them from being vaccinated.