Feline Behavior Associate

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Marin Humane is an equal opportunity, non-profit employer. Our mission is to transform lives through exceptional animal care, humane education, and advocacy. Every day, we inspire compassion and positive relationships between animals and people. Our Core Values are Dedication to Animals, Collaborative Spirit, Courage with Compassion, Pursuit of Learning, and Celebrating Differences.

One of our core values is Celebrating Differences, and we see diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) as an essential component. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging for our staff, volunteers, and the communities we serve. We're at our strongest when everyone is valued and empowered so we're committed to advancing DEIB throughout our organization.

SUMMARY: The Feline Behavior Associate works with the Feline Behavior Coordinator to provide feline behavior services to shelter cats and members of the public. In this capacity, they provide consultation and educational sessions for the public, the volunteers, other shelters and Marin Humane staff, and support the Animal Care Department with the behavior assessments and support the Adoptions Department with pre-adoption consults on particularly challenging cats. They are accountable for accomplishing department goals, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and supporting the mission, goals and philosophy of Marin Humane

ACCOUNTABILITY: Feline Behavior Coordinator

HOURS/CLASSIFICATION: 30 Hours/week - Benefits*

SALARY: $21.87/hr. to $24.30/hr. DOE; .50/hr Spanish-speaking premium pay offered

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (or some experience and willingness to learn and develop in the following areas):

SHELTER FELINE BEHAVIOR SERVICES

• Work directly with behaviorally challenged shelter cats to improve their outcome
  • Identify shelter cats needing socialization
  • Design strategies for assisting these cats and determining appropriate outcomes
  • Provide medical treatments in preparation for adoption availability

CLIENT BEHAVIOR SERVICES

• Conduct telephone, in person or home sessions with clients about their feline companions
  • Document behavior history
  • Respond to public advice line calls directly. Make follow up calls as needed
  • Make recommendations on how to manage clientsconcerns and cat’s needs
  • Participate in home consults
  • Maintain records documenting Feline Behavior Office calls

VOLUNTEER COORDINATION

• In conjunction with the Feline Behavior Coordinator, provide training and continuing education for all cat program volunteers, including cat behavior volunteers
• Provide feedback on cat behavior volunteers to volunteers and the Feline Behavior Coordinator
• Provide recognition of cat behavior volunteers when appropriate and as needed

PUBLIC EDUCATION

• Assist in providing educational workshops/classes on cat behavior to the public
• Write articles to promote cat programs and education
• Give presentations to increase awareness, appreciation and understanding of cats and feline behavior

CUSTOMER SERVICE

• Understand, support, and accurately communicate policies and philosophies to the public in a positive and effective manner
• Demonstrate excellence in customer service by providing courteous, prompt and responsive service
• Value diversity, teamwork and creativity to positively contribute to Marin Humane’s mission and values

SAFETY, SECURITY, AND CONFIDENTIALTY

• Demonstrate a commitment to a high standard of safety and compliance with safety laws and Marin Humane’s safety policies
• Report safety violations and potential violations to supervisory or management personnel
• Maintain assigned files and records in compliance with records retention policies and procedures
• Handle sensitive, private, and personal information in a confidential manner

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and regularly required to walk and stand; this position involves a regular amount of repetitive motion of hands and wrists; the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder height; the employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or sit on floor. The employee must occasionally lift, move, pull and/or push up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles (i.e. pet dander) and toxic or caustic chemicals. Since this job requires working with animals, applicant shouldn’t have any animal related allergies. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Willingness to work outside normal business hours; weekend time commitment is mandatory for this position.

• BENEFITS:

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES (AT LEAST 30 HOURS/WEEK):

• Medical Plan
  
  • Kaiser – High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Reimbursement Account
• Dental/Vision Plan
  
  • Includes Orthodontia for dependent children
• Domestic Partner Coverage Available (Medical and Dental plans)
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance

ALL REGULAR EMPLOYEES (AT LEAST 20 HOURS/WEEK):

• Section 125 Cafeteria Plan
• Fitness Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation
• Sabbatical Leave

ALL EMPLOYEES (INCLUDING PART-TIME AND TEMPORARY):

• Paid Sick Leave

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

An ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities (or some experience and willingness to learn and develop in the following areas):

• Knowledge of a wide variety of cat behavior
• Ability to supervise and mentor volunteers
• Animal welfare experience with direct, hands-on experience working with cats in a shelter setting
• Ability to counsel cat owners on cat behavior
• Practical medical knowledge about cats, veterinary technician experience a plus
• Strong inter-personal and analytical skills
• Ability to organize and present recommendations
• Empathy, patience, good communication and listening skills
• Good computer skills, knowledge of the Microsoft Suite of software products
• Experience giving presentations to the public
• Flexible, patient and capable of “thinking on your feet” to meet the needs of diverse potential guardians
• Ability to provide constructive criticism in a positive and encouraging fashion
• Organized and skilled at multi-tasking
• Good writing skills for composing follow-up emails to clients, writing articles & handouts
• Outgoing and interested in people
• Valid California Driver’s license may be necessary

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A typical way of gaining the necessary knowledge, skill and ability for this position is a minimum of two to four years of working in shelters with cats or experience counseling cat owners and experience with a variety of cats is required. Behavior knowledge should have been gained through a combination of academic study, attendance at seminars and lectures and personal study. Good writing and presentation skills are required. Social services or experience counseling people would be useful. Bi-lingual in English and Spanish would be preferred.

SUMMARY: The Feline Behavior Associate works with the Feline Behavior Coordinator to provide feline behavior services to shelter cats and members of the public. In this capacity, they provide consultation and educational sessions for the public, the volunteers, other shelters and Marin Humane staff, and support the Animal Care Department with the behavior assessments and support the Adoptions Department with pre-adoption consults on particularly challenging cats. They are accountable for accomplishing department goals, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and supporting the mission, goals and philosophy of Marin Humane