Location: Kanab, Utah
Hiring Range: This position’s hiring rate is anticipated to be $22.50 per hour, plus great benefits!
Schedule: Thursday - Monday, 8 am - 5 pm
Position Summary: Lifesaving and Care Specialists work within a team setting to provide hands on daily care and medical support to animals at the sanctuary. Wild Friends Lifesaving and Care Specialists work with native wildlife in our rehabilitation clinic and education program along with various adoptable exotic species. This position works directly with the public to create positive volunteer experiences, provide educational resources, and find adoptive homes.
Culture Statement and Responsibility: We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well-being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support lifesaving objectives of the department by performing all aspects of the adoption process and providing superior customer service to visitors, volunteers, and adopters.
- Serve as a sanctuary ambassador, representing Best Friends’ work to visitors and volunteers, and speaking to the sanctuary’s special role in Best Friends’ no-kill goals.
- Support a “volunteers-first” team giving every volunteer the opportunity to maximize their skills and value towards Best Friends’ lifesaving activities, and inspiring visitors to continue the work in their communities.
- Greet and conduct tours, speak about specific animals, the work of Wild Friends and the sanctuary, answer questions and assist visitors with their needs.
- Provide basic and routine care for animals per department guidelines including but not limited to diet preparation and distribution, cleaning of enclosures, creating and implementing enrichment and training plans.
- Support animals with medical issues, which may include zoonotic disease, by medicating, treating, preparing special diets, observing and reporting, and assisting in the maintenance of required veterinary records.
- Provide enrichment and exercise for animals as outlined by leadership; identify animal issues and share observations with team members and leaders
- Clean work areas and preserve physical appearance of buildings, habitats and grounds: scooping, raking, sweeping, shoveling, dusting, mopping, trash removal, scrubbing, weeding, etc., noting maintenance or repairs needed and reporting per protocol.
- Demonstrate kindness and the golden rule in our everyday actions by practicing inclusion and respect for every person for the value they bring to the table. Treat others with compassion, empathy, and understanding.
- Maintain a safe workplace, valuing and modeling safe work practices, adhering to organizational safety practices and rules, and communicating about unsafe practices and conditions.
Skills and Experience:
- Previous animal handling experience is required - experience handling/working with wildlife or non-domestic animals is strongly preferred. Wildlife rehab experience is a plus.
- Ability to work with, crate, and handle various species, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns including shyness, fearfulness, and aggression; basic ability to identify and speak to medical needs, behavioral characteristics and individual requirements of different wildlife and domestic animal species.
- Customer-centric, non-judgmental approach to engaging with adopters, partners, visitors, volunteers, and colleagues; familiarity and comfort with an open adoption process, experience interacting with the public (customer service) preferred.
- Ability to professionally speak about Best Friends activities and positions on issues.
- Resourceful, get-it-done attitude; ability to adopt to new work areas or processes; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until department goals are achieved.
- Strong interpersonal skills, positive attitude, a team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with well-developed organization skills to juggle multiple competing tasks and demands; with accurate, appropriate, clear and concise written and verbal communication skills; and strong listening skills.
- Basic experience with Microsoft Office products; familiarity with shelter software (Best Friends uses Shelterluv), or desire to learn.
- Travel up to 10%.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to:
- Perform daily strenuous activity including, but not limited to lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
- Perform repetitive tasks for extended periods of time including typing, sitting, walking, arm, and hand motion.
- Work indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including extreme heat and cold.
- Daily exposure to wildlife and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status.
- Valid driver’s license for at least 3 years, ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance, ability to travel, including overnight stays, when needed.
- Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the department schedule; position includes weekends, nights and holiday work.
Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status.
Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.
