Senior Animal Welfare Officer

Job Title: Senior Animal Welfare Officer (SAWO)

Salary: £14 PH/£21840 PA

Reports To: Branch Animal Welfare & Administration Coordinator

Working Hours: 30 hours per week over 4 days

Days of Work: Mon – Sun as operationally needed (involves some weekends & evenings)

Usual Place of Work: Where required within the branch area and branch used facilities

Holiday: Pro rata 28 days including bank holidays

RSPCA Finchley & District are looking for a Senior Animal Welfare Officer to join our team. Our SAWOs respond to local animal welfare issues reported directly to the Branch, as well as animal welfare issues delegated from the National RSPCA Control Centre & local RSPCA inspectors. SAWOs are responsible for collecting sick, injured and abandoned/unwanted animals and taking appropriate action to ensure the animals' welfare remains the priority. You will work effectively with other Branch staff in helping us to deliver our animal welfare services as well as promoting responsible pet ownership within the community. It is an extremely rewarding role, though at times it can be an upsetting and challenging role, as you may be dealing with animals in distress. You will also need to be very resilient and self-motivated. We cover Finchley, Hendon, Golders Green, Edgware, Colindale and the surrounding areas. It is an operational requirement that the job holder lives within or very locally to the Branch area, our branch area currently covers N2, N3, N6 4, N11 9, N12, NW2 1, NW2 2, NW4, NW7 1, NW7 2, NW7 3, NW7 4, NW8 1, NW9 5, NW9 6, NW11, N20 0, HA8 and HA7 4.

Our Mission

The RSPCA as a charity will, by all lawful means, prevent cruelty, promote kindness to and alleviate suffering of all animals. Our vision is a world where all animals are respected and treated with kindness and compassion.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The role will be extremely varied although the main responsibilities include;

· Respond to all animal welfare issues delegated by the AW&A Coordinator, National RSPCA Control Centre & RSPCA Inspectors

· Collect animals that have been reported to us and seek the appropriate care in line with our standard procedures and in the animals' best interests

· Arrange the transfer in of animals via Animal logistics and Finsbury Park animal hospital

· Maintain the animal shelter manager database, ensuring it is kept up to date at all times

· Arrange accommodation on a temporary & permanent basis for animals in need of rehoming or fostering

· Arrange neutering, vaccinations, microchipping and other routine veterinary treatment as required for branch animals. Occasionally assist with the transport of owned animals for veterinary treatment

· Monitor the condition, behavioural and socialisation needs of branch animals in private boarding, RSPCA facilities and foster care to improve rehoming opportunities

· Manage the branch fostering network alongside branch colleagues

· Assess adoption and fosterer applications, obtain references & carry out home visits with potential adopters and foster homes

· Maintain regular contact with animal fosterers ensuring that animals in our care are being cared for correctly and that the fosterers have all of the supplies & equipment needed to appropriately care for that animal. Provide regular support and advice as required to branch fosterers

· List stray/found animals on lost and found sites and manage any enquiries with regards to ownership claims

· Registering/transferring animal microchips to the branch or adopters

· Coordinate necessary supplies and equipment, ensure branch equipment is cared for and maintained, regularly cleaned and correctly stored when not in use

· Build on our TNR (trap, neuter and release) programme, trapping stray and feral cats, releasing feral or wild animals to a suitable location once neutered

· Maintain good working relationships with relevant external agencies, e.g. other RSPCA branches, other charities, social services, animal wardens, the Police, local vets etc.

· Promote responsible pet ownership within the local community providing advice and assistance.

· Engaging with local schools and other organisations on behalf of the branch, educating young people on animal welfare in assemblies & at school events

· Attendance at local community & fundraising events, representing the branch promoting positive animal welfare & engaging with the local community

· Keep accurate records of your activities to enable the compilation of reports and statistics.

· Ensure the allocated Branch vehicle is used in accordance with the Branch vehicle policy and is kept clean, regularly maintained including tyres, water, oil levels & service requirements are monitored

· Attend any relevant training courses as required

· Work closely with other animal welfare staff, communicate clearly & effectively with all other branch staff & volunteers, including trustees

· Recruit, train & manage volunteers who are carrying out animal related activities (e.g fostering, volunteer drivers, cat socialisers)

· Line manage junior AWO(s) as required by the Trustees.

· Deputise for the Animal Welfare & Administration Coordinator in their absence - on branch animal welfare matters.

PERSON SPECIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Our ideal candidate will be able to offer demonstrable experience in the above areas and possess a varied skillset including;

Essential

· Hold a full, clean and valid UK driving licence, the role involves extensive driving time within North London and other areas

· Live within or very locally to the Branch area Our branch area currently covers N2, N3, N10, N11, N12, N6 4, N20 0, NW11, NW2 2, NW2 1, NW4, NW7, NW9 5, NW9 6, HA8, HA7

· Animal Welfare knowledge & previous employment experience within animal welfare

· Flexible and able to work evenings / weekends when required

· Experienced and confident in handling all types of animals, especially cats

· Able to prioritise workload, to work on their own initiative and cope under pressure

· Passionate about animal welfare and the RSPCA's charity ethics

· Energetic and physically fit (regular heavy lifting is involved)

· Effective communicator, approachable and flexible attitude with a 'can-do' attitude

· Professional and confident when dealing with members of the public and stressful situations

Desirable

· Experience within the charity sector

· Health and safety training, first aid

· Cat trapping experience

· Experience in dealing with stray, feral & difficult to handle cats

· Experience of line management of staff

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

You must live locally to the Branch area and hold a full, clean and valid UK driving licence.

Our branch area currently covers N2, N3, N10, N11, N12, N6 4, N20 0, NW11, NW2 2, NW2 1, NW4, NW7, NW9 5, NW9 6, HA8, HA7.

There is a 3 month probationary period for all new employees

Auto enrolment into pension, opt out option available

In order to comply with legal requirements, we ask all potential candidates to provide their eligibility to work in the UK as part of the selection procedure. If you are invited to interview, you will be asked to bring the appropriate original documents with you to the interview.

This position is currently home based however this could change in future as the branch expands. You may be required to work at either of our charity shops at 160 High Road, East Finchley N2 9AS or 736 High Road, North Finchley N12 9QD when required. You will therefore be expected to travel regularly and work where required.

On the job training will be provided. References and DBS checks will be required.

The position is being recruited for by RSPCA Finchley & District branch (registered charity number and not the National RSPCA.

To apply please send a CV and a covering letter to: explaining why you are suitable for the role, explaining in detail how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria. Applications without a CV or cover letter will not be processed.

Due to high levels of applications we anticipate that we will receive for this role, unfortunately we are not able to respond to all applicants. If you have not been contacted within four weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability if required

Application question(s):

• It is an operational requirement that applicants live within, or very close to our branch postcode area. Our postcode area is N2, N3, N10, N11, N12, N6 4, N20 0, NW11, NW2 2, NW2 1, NW4, NW7, NW9 5, NW9 6, HA8, HA7. Please confirm that this applies to your application.

Experience:

• Animal Welfare: 2 years (required)
• Animal Handling: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Full Driving License (required)

Work Location: In person

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £21,840.00 per year

Application question(s):

• Do you live within or very close to the following North London post codes: N2, N3, N10, N11, N12, N6 4, N20 0, NW11, NW2 2, NW2 1, NW4, NW7, NW9 5, NW9 6, HA8, HA7

Experience:

• Animal Welfare: 2 years (required)
• Animal Handling: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person