Animal Flow Coordinator

POSITION:               Animal Flow Coordinator

STATUS:                    Permanent; Full-Time with benefits

SHIFT:                       35 hours per week

LOCATION:               Provincial Office in Vancouver, BC – Hybrid (two days a week at the office)

CLASSIFICATION:   Exempt

WAGE:                       Salaried 

CLOSING DATE:      Open until Filled

About the Position:

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Animal Triage & Flow, the Animal Flow Coordinator (AFC) works collaboratively with all relevant stakeholders to coordinate and consult on issues as they relate to animal flow through BC SPCA Community Animal Centres (CACs). This position is responsible for coordinating and supporting Large-Scale Animal Intakes, increasing the flow through of animals throughout the province in order to decrease length of stay, and assist CACs in meeting the BC SPCA welfare standards.

This work includes partnering with CACs and the Animal Protection Services team to ensure effective implementation and maintenance of animal management policies, procedures and standards of care by staff and volunteers, based on available resources.

Primary Key Responsibilities:

Animal Management & Flow:

• Implements, maintains, and refines various animal management systems to support the BC SPCA CACs.
• Provides support to the CACs in meeting the Canadian Standards of Care in Animal Shelters as set out in the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) Guidelines.
• Assists with Capacity for Care (C4C) administration:
  • Collects, reviews and supports CACs with monthly C4C worksheet.
  • Monitors C4C forms and identifying trends or concerns; notifies Regional Manager if CACs are not completing forms monthly or there are concerns noted (e.g. CAC is consistently over capacity).
  • Maintains C4C form templates.
  • Provides training on C4C for new CAC managers or designates as needed.
• Monitors the length of stay of animals and assists CACs in reducing the stay through transfers and adoption promotions.
  • Runs bi-weekly length of stay reports.
  • Identifies animals in care long-term and discusses options, including transfer, with appropriate stakeholders.
  • Assists CACs with identifying other alternatives to improve their length of stay.
• Improves animal flow through CACs.
  • Monitors the humane physical holding capacity and develops an associated resource list.
  • Identifies animals that may benefit from transfer to another CAC and assists managers in coordinating this through the Transfer Program, working closely with Animal Transfer Manager.
• Works with the Training & Development Specialist to develop and deliver training on animal management concepts, courses and BC SPCA policies to CAC staff and volunteers; this includes, but is not limited to: Large Scale Animal Intake (LSAI), Capacity for Care, Canadian Standards of Care in Animal Shelters: Supporting the ASV Guidelines, Asilomar Accords and Adoptability Guidelines.
  • Provides ongoing training to staff in shelters on animal management, as needed.
  • Teaches daily active animal management, including how to do a walk-through, how to recognize good welfare/poor welfare, population management, and sound decision making.
• Assists with implementation of other animal management programs/initiatives as identified by Operations.

Large-Scale Animal Intake (LSAI) Coordination:

• Ensuring LSAI materials and resources are regularly updated and available for CAcs.
• Coordinating processes related to Large-Scale Animal Intakes (LSAI) of companion, exotic and farm animals to be placed in CACs. This includes but is not limited to:
  • Acting as first point of contact for Animal Protection Services department and/or Regional Manager for large-scale animal intakes and working with CACs in the flow through and placement of those animals.
  • Scheduling & planning LSAI conference calls; chairing calls and delegating minute-taking.
  • Supporting CAC Managers (or their designates) and Regional Managers on setting up LSAI groups using technology; adding spreadsheets and other documents as needed.
  • Monitoring individual LSAIs activity ensuring action items, tests and spreadsheets are competed and/or kept up-to-date by the responsible parties.
  • Following up with CACs when animals become BC SPCA property and assists with planning transfers.
  • Providing other types of support with LSAI activity as required, including conducting assessments and caring for seized animals.
• Provides quarterly written reports to Regional Managers detailing animal management observations made during LSAIs, including planning, intake and outgoing.
  • Notes successes and areas of further development relating to the implementation of animal management practices.
  • Maintains and updates LSAI Yearly Overview and C4C Overview spreadsheets for Operations
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Qualifications you need to have:

• Post-secondary education in animal health plus a minimum of three years’ experience working in animal care/welfare; or a combination of education and experience acceptable to the Employer.  Relevant experience includes, but is not limited to:
  • Implementation of the Five Freedoms, Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) Guidelines, and capacity for care concepts
  • Participating in large-scale animal intakes
  • Working in a shelter environment
  • Tracking data and compiling reports
  • Providing advice and direction to staff and volunteers
• Registered Veterinary Technologist designation and training in animal behaviour are considered assets.
• Genuine compassion for animals, knowledge of the Five Freedoms.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with competing deadlines and multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively as a member of a team.
• Must have a valid Class 5 BC driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.
• Excellent computer skills – Windows, MS Office; and Skype for Business; knowledge of Shelter Buddy is considered an asset.
• Philosophical harmony with the vision, mission, and strategic directions of the BC SPCA.