Seasonal Overnight Neonate Specialist, Kitten Nursery

Summary:

Overview

If you are passionate about providing exceptional care to cats and kittens animals in need, and you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic and complex environment, the position of Neonate Specialist at the ASPCA Kitten Nursery may be for you.

Who We Are

The Kitten Nursery cares for hundreds of underage kittens and their mothers seasonally in a dedicated nursery environment as well as through an expanding foster program. Once these kittens are healthy and happy 8-week-olds, the Kitten Nursery helps them get ready for adoption through the ASPCA Adoption Center and partner shelters. 

What You’ll Do

• The Kitten Neonate Specialist reports directly to the Manager Medical Operations and has no direct reports.
• The Neonate Specialist will provide high-quality animal care to ensure all cats and kittens experience the Five Freedoms on a daily basis. Additionally, Neonate Specialists will work under the direct guidance of veterinarians and licensed veterinarian technicians to assist in the delivery of individual animal and population level medical care following low-stress handling principles and shelter medicine best practices.

Where and When You’ll Work

• This position is an on-site role and reports to the 92nd street ASPCA location.
• This is a seasonal overnight, full-time role (late March-late November)

What You’ll Get

Compensation

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future. 

The target hiring range for this role is $23.05-$24.50 hourly.

Benefits

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Affordable health coverage , including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field, and so much more.

Responsibilities:

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include but are not limited to:

 

Animal Husbandry and Supportive Care (70%)

• Ensure every animal is provided with the Five Freedoms, every day

• Provide attentive care for all kittens, as well as nursing mother cats with kittens, including routine bottle feeding, assisted feeding, and stimulating elimination

• Provide clinical care for neonate cats, kittens and nursing cats and litters of the ASPCA Nursery which includes syringe feeding; administration of topical, oral and ophthalmic medications; nebulization

• Clean and sanitize cages, enclosures, and all equipment in accordance with Nursery SOPs and while utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment

• Ensure the comfort and cleanliness of shelter animals; always provide appropriate bedding, and appropriate daily enrichment

• Assess needs of kittens to help determine appropriate placement within the nursery and/or in foster care, based on age and health

• Continually monitor the nursery population for general well-being, signs of illness, and behavior concerns; communicate findings to appropriate team members as outlined in SOPs

• Handle and nurture kittens and queens appropriately, including providing socialization, consistent with established ASPCA protocols

• Collaborate with LVTs and DVMs to ensure continuity of care

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

• Transport animals and their medical records within ASPCA departments for necessary care, including but not limited to transfers to the ASPCA Animal Hospital, Adoption Center, and/or Community Medicine

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

 

Housekeeping and Maintenance (15%)

• Make certain the entire Kitten Nursery is kept extremely clean and orderly throughout the day

• Assist with the preparation of supplies for foster caregivers

• Assist in keeping supplies stocked by noting when supplies are running low; take inventory and stock supplies as needed

• Wash, dry, and put away laundry per SOPs

• Work in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies and requirements

• Advise Supervisor of any conditions that are unsafe including unrecognized hazards or infractions of safety rules

 

Record-Keeping, Communication and Work Performance (15%)

• Ensure accurate and timely data entry to animals’ medical records, including transfer of information from other ASPCA departments’ software systems and diagnostic test results from outside laboratories

• Actively participate in rounds

• Engage in providing input and feedback about operational changes; learn, implement, and follow all departmental policies and protocols

• Demonstrate a high-quality standard of care for the animals; maintain a strong work ethic, and high levels of performance

• Be an active learner - attend staff meetings and training sessions, seek out opportunities to develop as a professional

• Collaborate enthusiastically and professionally with Kitten Nursery leadership, peers and colleagues

• Represent the ASPCA in a professional, and courteous manner at all times

• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

 

Qualifications

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

• Excellent low-stress animal handling and restraint skills

• High level of attention to detail

• Maintain open mind regarding changes and be willing to learn, implement, and teach new protocols

• Ensure and maintain high quality standard of care, work ethic, and performance; work independently without supervision and as part of a team

• Work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions; demonstrate flexibility with work assignments and unique tasks

• Communicate with team members successfully and courteously during in-person, phone, and email conversations

• Exhibit professionalism with stressful, time-sensitive and urgent situations

• Basic computer skills, including Excel, Microsoft Office, and email; familiarity with PetPoint or other shelter software systems a plus.

• Able to lift up to 40 pounds, walk, bend, stand and reach constantly throughout at least a minimum 8-hour work day; able to vigorously, quickly, and thoroughly clean numerous animal enclosures

• Provide guidance to ASPCA volunteers while on duty

• Ability to exemplify ASPCA’s core values and behavioral competencies

 

Education and Work Experience

 

• High School diploma or equivalent

• Minimum of 2 years working with cats and kittens in a kennel, shelter, veterinary hospital or equivalent

• Experience working in an animal shelter and/or kitten nursery preferred

• Fear Free® certified or within 60 days of employment

Qualifications:

See above for qualifications details.

Language:

English (Required), Spanish

Education and Work Experience:

High School Diploma (Required)

Experience working in an animal shelter and/or kitten nursery preferred, Minimum 2 years working with cats and kittens in a kennel, shelter, veterinary hospital or equivalent

Our EEO Policy:
The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act:
Pursuant to regulations of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), we provide this notice to applicants about eligible employees’ protected leave for certain reasons. Click on the link to learn more.

Applicants that are residents of Colorado and Oregon: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058 and ORS 659A.030, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries through completion of the initial interview. We can require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant should redact the information before submitting an initial employment application.

Indiana Applicants: Pursuant to Indiana law, we are providing notice that it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by: (1) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis that the applicant is a veteran of the armed forces of the United States; or (2) refusing to employ an applicant for employment on the basis that the applicant is a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component. Should you feel that you were a victim of discrimination on the basis of veteran status, please let us know at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can file a complaint with the following agencies at any time: Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) 100 North Senate Avenue, Room N103, Indianapolis, IN 46204; Office: (317) 232-2600 | Toll Free: (800) 628-2909; Hearing Impaired: (800) 743-3333 | Fax: (317) 232-6580; E-mail: [email protected] | Website: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - Indianapolis Field Office; 115 W. Washington Street South Tower Suite 600; Indianapolis, IN 46204; Phone: 463-999-1240; Fax: 317-226-7953; TTY: 1-800-669-6820;ASL Video Phone: 844-234-5122.

Massachusetts Applicants: Per Massachusetts law, we are providing notice that it is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Philadelphia Applicants: You may view your rights under the Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Act here .