We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission, vision and values.
The BC SPCA is a dynamic organization with facilities and services across the province of BC. Join an expanding team in an exciting time of change in an organization that makes a difference! Please read below for additional details and let us know if you have the skills and experience we are looking for by submitting your application.
If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:
POSITION: Animal Care Supervisor - ACA3
STATUS: Permanent; Part-Time with benefits
SHIFT: 28 hours per week- various shifts
LOCATION: Port Alberni, BC
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
WAGE: Hourly
CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled
About the Position:
To ensure that optimal levels of care are administered to the animals based on the Five Freedoms. The Animal Care Supervisor will provide guidance to staff and volunteers on ShelterSense protocols in order to provide the standard of health and welfare that is required for all shelter animals.
The Animal Care Supervisor is responsible for assisting in the training of Animal Care Attendants and volunteers on basic animal care procedures and to supervise the Animal Care Specialist on animal assessment protocols and adoption procedures.
The Animal Care Supervisor acts as the Animal Centre Manager in their absence, including during periods of vacation, illness and on their regular days off.
Some specific duties:
- Assists the Animal Centre Manager in attaining and maintaining optimum welfare standards in the shelter at all times as defined by the ShelterSense programs and related BC SPCA policies.
- Ensures that the health and welfare needs of all animals in the care of the shelter are being actively managed and assists the Animal Centre Manager in engaging in timely decision-making regarding their physical, mental and behavioural health & welfare.
- Trains staff and volunteers on ShelterSense programs and ensure that all animal interactions are conducted appropriately ensuring safety of both the animals and employees/volunteers.
- Assists the Animal Centre Manager in implementation and maintenance of all BC SPCA programs, policies and procedures in the shelter.
- Assists the Animal Centre Manager in the recruitment and selection of a high-performing team of permanent and casual/auxiliary shelter staff and volunteers in accordance with the Society’s approved recruitment process.
- Provides support for general orientations, program-specific workshops and appropriate training for staff and volunteers.
- Provides ongoing training, direction, motivation, and coaching to shelter staff and volunteers with a focus on celebrating successes and achievements
- Conducts reviews of shelter staff and volunteers at regular intervals.
- To ensure retention of trained staff and volunteers through recognition initiatives and the provision of promotion opportunities.
- Oversees the implementation of high customer service standards and monitors overall customer satisfaction in the Animal Centre.
- Ensures the physical facility, equipment, and supplies are maintained in a condition acceptable to the Society.
- Ensures animals are treated humanely, with compassion and concern, and in a manner consistent with the BC SPCA’s five freedoms.
- Ensures animals’ health and well-being are maintained in accordance with the BC SPCA policies and procedures with respect to animal health. This includes the administration of approved medications as specified by the Animal Health Technologist or other authorized shelter staff and ensuring related supplies are re-stocked and ordered as needed.
- Immediately reports any health or welfare concerns to the Manager or designate.
- Assists with conducting contractual animal control duties as required (where applicable).
- Conducts preliminary cruelty investigations and submit a review of findings through Shelter Buddy for continuing investigation purposes.
- Acts as a champion of the BC SPCA Health & Safety program ensuring that safe work practices are implemented and are being carried out to protect staff, volunteers and animals from injury and/or illness.
- Assists in the completion of all administrative duties, including timely entering of information into shelter buddy, scheduling and submitting all payroll information to the Human Resources department on a regular basis, daily reconciliations, batch reports and bank deposits.
- Works collaboratively with the local Special Provincial Constables to ensure appropriate Animal Centre response to cruelty investigations.
- Assists the Animal Centre Manager in preparing an annual budget for the Animal Centre including annual revenue, operating and capital expenditures and to ensure compliance with the approved Animal Centre budget on a monthly basis.
- Oversees all Animal Centre functions in the absence of the Animal Centre Manager including regular days off, weekends and holidays.
- Acts as an ambassador of the BC SPCA at all times and ensure customer and community relations are consistently professional and positive.
- Answers telephones and walk-in inquiries in a courteous manner providing information satisfactory to the needs of the customer and assist in resolving escalated customer service complaints in a timely manner.
- Performs reception duties including greeting members of the public, answering telephones, responding to emails promptly, entering information in Shelter Buddy, uploading photos, filing and cash-out procedures.
- Assists with adoptions, redemptions and intake of animals including reviewing lost and found book and adoption applications.
- Ensures all procedures for receiving, licensing, or adopting all animals are conducted according to procedure and meet the needs of customers.
- Assesses suitability of potential animal adoptive customers for the purposes of best possible match between adopter and animal.
- Supports and implement BCSPCA provincial initiatives and adhere to all operational policies and procedures.
- Assists in local and provincial fund-raising initiatives.
- Reviews inventory of all shelter supplies including but not limited to: food, blankets, towels, personal protective equipment, cages, crates, etc. to ensure that supplies are ordered as needed and prior to running out.
- Ensures the security of the building when entering and exiting by ensuring all doors and gates are locked when required.
- Operates the Animal Centre vehicle(s) as needed including transporting animals to and from the veterinarian clinic(s) and ensure proper cleanliness and maintenance of the vehicle
- Works together and collaboratively with other staff and volunteers to benefit and enhance the health and welfare of shelter animals and create a harmonious team environment.
- Participates in meetings with other members of staff to share ideas and suggestions designed to improve the enjoyment of working for the BCSPCA and to increase its productivity.
- Performs other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications you need to have:
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Valid Class N or 5 BC Drivers’ License and driver’s abstract
- A sound knowledge of animals, their breeds, characteristics, and common diseases
- Previous kennel or animal care experience will be considered an asset.
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred
- Demonstrable interest in all aspects of animal welfare
- Must be able to work with other staff, volunteers, and the public in a positive, practical manner and be able to work with minimum supervision
- Ability to prioritize demands on time
- Must possess excellent verbal, written and organizational skills
- Basic computer skills sufficient to deal effectively with the necessary front desk duties including answering emails, and updating animal records.
- Position is physically demanding and includes heavy lifting, pushing and pulling which requires an individual with the ability to maintain a level of fitness and endurance to fulfill the required duties
- Minimum of three years animal care experience with the BC SPCA or equivalent agency preferred
- Completion and demonstrated competency in the following BC SPCA courses upon hire (preferred), or within 6 months of hire.
- Philosophical harmony with the vision, mission and strategic directions of the BC SPCA
How to apply:
If you are interested in joining our team and are legally entitled to work in Canada, we would like to hear from you. Click on apply now or use the link to apply https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/careers/
We are committed to a transparent, human-led hiring process. While we use technology to support application management, applications are not screened, scored, or ranked by AI systems. All hiring decisions are made by human hiring managers based on skills, experience, and alignment with the organizational values.
We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.
The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001
