Animal Welfare Assistant

**Job Title** Animal Welfare Assistant

**Hours of work**: 37.5 hours per week
Monday-Sunday on a rota basis

**Location of Job**: Assisi Animal Sanctuary, 1 Old Bangor Road,

Conlig, BT23 7PU

**Salary**:Pay Band 1 £21,276.18 - £23,959.95 Per Annum

**Line Management**: Reporting directly to Unit Team Leader

**Purpose of the role**:
The post holder will ensure the effective day-to-day welfare of the animals in are care and will maximise rehoming opportunities as well as carry out agreed procedures and routines which support the animals, staff, and volunteers.

To promote the Mission, Vision, Values and Core Principles of Assisi Animal Sanctuary, taking a positive and happy approach to supporting a workplace that celebrates success, learns from mistakes, and strives for excellence.

A dynamic individual with excellent communication skills is required, with a passion for the cause: the role is contributing to Animal Welfare in Northern Ireland and ensuring an excellent service is provided to all stakeholders of the organisation.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Work as directed by the unit team leader in any area that you are suitably trained to do so.
- Care for all animals in the Sanctuary in an appropriate and welfare friendly manner, to include cleaning of kennels, grooming, feeding, enrichment, exercise, and administration and recording of medication as required, always maintaining a high standard of good hygiene practices and good housekeeping across all areas of the site.
- Work in accordance with Assisi policies and procedures and conduct intake, pre
- assessments, and carry out animal assessments, highlighting any concerns or potential barriers to rehoming or admission to the unit team leader.
- Maintain accurate and up to date records on our animal management database, to include admission, behaviour, adoption, financial and veterinary information, as well as ensuring that all customer information is shared with the relevant function.
- Deliver training programmes to those animals in our care who require additional support under the guidance of the unit team leader and ensure that accurate records are kept.
- Ensure animals that are available for rehoming are positively promoted to maximise adoption and supporter opportunities across all available channels.
- Assist customers to select animals through the process, appropriate to the circumstances by providing, customer friendly, accurate and relevant information and advice. Approaching each animal and adopter as an individual and making decisions as a collective on those animals that might be suitable. Ensuring that adopters are fully advised and supported in welcoming their new animal home.
- Ensure the highest standards of customer care are delivered to all Sanctuary visitors and contacts, by presenting a professional and friendly approach both face to face, and on the telephone always.
- Be an Ambassador for the Charity supporting other functions with activities, such as events, talks, and educational activities, as required, taking every opportunity to fundraise, build supporter relationships and make lasting friendships. Receiving donations of food and bedding and ensuring that appreciation is shown to all Donors.
- Support and nurture our volunteers in the Sanctuary, ensuring they feel a valued part of the team and have access to your knowledge and experience to aid them in their volunteering role.
- Be responsible for meeting appropriate standards of performance.
- Proactively support and engage with members of the team.
- Ensures all Security, fire, Health and Safety policies and procedures are adhered to in order to provide a safe and secure environment for staff, volunteers, visitors, and company assets, reporting any concerns or incidents to your line manager.

**Essential Criteria**
- Qualified to National Diploma Level or NVQ 2 or equivalent in animal care/welfare or willing to achieve same within 2 years of appointment.
- Excellent communication skills - ability to communicate well with customers, volunteers, team leaders, sanctuary manager, and trustees.
- Ability to use initiative and take responsibility, prioritise work accordingly through excellent time management, planning and organising skills.
- Proficient in the use of MS Office products with experience and knowledge of Word, Outlook and excel.
- Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and committed to working to a high standard.
- Passionate and committed to the aims and charitable objectives of Assisi Animal Sanctuary
- Flexible and adaptable approach to work and ability to remain calm and work under pressure.
- Good standard of English and maths.

**Desirable Criteria**
- Animal care/welfare qualifications above that of National Diploma Level or NVQ 2
- Customer Care qualification
- Paid or voluntary experience of working in an animal rescue environment.

This role profile is not exhaustive and can be amended at any time to suit the changing needs of the
Sanctuary.

**Job Types**: Fu