Category: Applied Animal Biology

POSITION: Specialist, Wild Animal Welfare

STATUS: Full-Time, Permanent

SHIFT: 35 hours per week

CLOSING DATE:  May 8, 2023

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.

About the Position

The Specialist, Wild Animal Welfare position has a primary focus of supporting wildlife welfare through research, communications, advocacy, and public/stakeholder relations. The role consists of: development and delivery of wild animal welfare program-related initiatives; related data collation and management, analysis and reporting; development of communications, training, and public education content; development and promotion of wild animal welfare advocacy campaigns and initiatives and related support; volunteer recruitment, training, coordination and supervision; and other committee and administrative support.

Responsibilities

Wild Animal Welfare (30%):

• Contributes to the creation and implementation of wildlife welfare initiatives based on the Society’s strategic plan and fulfilment of key performance indicators
• Tracks animals assisted through Wild ARC, Night Emergency Personnel (NEP), and Animal Centers, supporting government permit data collation and submission, and dashboard updates
• Develops and delivers advocacy campaigns through research, government relations, writing, and social media; reviews and tracks wildlife bylaws, with communications as necessary 
• Leads development of program materials and wildlife LMS courses for Wild ARC, Animal Helpline and Animal Care Services staff training, including humane pest control operations and reporting

Communications and Engagement (30%):

• Plans, develops and maintains wildlife-related content for the BC SPCA website
• Coordinates production of relevant newsletters (e.g., WildSense, Science & Policy), including contributing content, editing, and coordinating distribution
• Creates welfare content for BC SPCA external and internal publications posts (e.g. news items, social media posts, Anim@ls e-newsletter, AnimalSense, Bark!, staff bulletins, etc.)
• Represents the organization in stakeholder engagement, community outreach, relevant conferences, workshops, and government stakeholder consultations; plans internal and external meetings/conferences/symposiums as needed
• Provides training and presentations to internal and external audiences on wildlife program initiatives
• Responds to media requests, as required
• Drafts and provide content to wild animal welfare related enquiries from the public, staff and volunteers
• Coordinates provincial wildlife communications and online activities (e.g. Wildlife-in-Focus, SPCA Shop and gift catalogue, online campaigns, and e-blasts)

AnimalKind Program (20%):

• Acts as a technical resource, supporting program implementation through research, standards review, content development, process and administration review, editing, communications (social, news items, website), presentations and wildlife control audits 
• Updates existing LMS courses and develops new courses, in collaboration with the Training & Development Specialist, as needed
• Coordinates Review Panels and supports administrative duties that relate to AnimalKind

General (20%):

• Member of BC SPCA Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) and leads revision of selected wildlife-related position statements
• Member of AWC Research Subcommittee, as secretary, to support research initiatives
• Participates on other committees as needed
• In collaboration with the Volunteer Resources team, recruits and trains program volunteers
• Prepares regular progress reports on the above activities for supervisor as required
• Performs other related duties, as required

Qualifications:

• University degree in applied biology, animal welfare sciences or a related field plus a minimum of 5-8 years’ relevant experience; or a combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer. Related experience includes, but is not limited to:
  • hands-on animal welfare experience
  • liaising or working in wildlife research/management, non-profits or regulators
  • working with diverse stakeholders and different opinions
  • writing public education materials, such as web content, newsletters, training materials and social media posts
• Training in communications or media relations would be considered an asset
• Proven interest in animal welfare and understanding of BC SPCA evidence-based position statements and standards
• Superb interpersonal skills, particularly with reference to managing professional relationships
• Strong teamwork skills and work ethic 
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills 
• Excellent organizational skills coupled with the ability to multi-task and attention to detail
• Demonstrated research, report and manuscript writing skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to relate respectfully to a diverse audience
• Computer skills required for research and data management, literature review, report writing, database management, web development, email and video communications
• Demonstrated ability to work independently under minimal supervision, as well as part of a team
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, planning and prioritizing a varied workload in order to meet fixed deadlines
• Ability to travel and work flexible hours (i.e. occasional evening and weekends), when required
• Access to reliable transportation for travel to events, etc.
• Relevant professional designation (e.g., RPBio, BIT) and graduate-level degree would be considered an asset

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 thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.  

Click here to see the original job posting: https://can231.dayforcehcm.com/CandidatePortal/en-US/bcspca/Posting/View/8025 

Job Description:

Our veterinary dermatology specialty hospital is growing again and we are looking for an additional Veterinary Receptionist to join our tightknit team at our Vancouver location. We value maintaining a collegial working culture and prioritize embracing the strategy, commitments, and goals of the organisation which are to offer our patients and clients the best care possible.

Company Perks:

• Monday to Friday, 1 or 2 late evenings per week. All weekends and statutory holidays off
• Above average compensation package . Negotiable based on Experience
• 3 weeks paid vacation on 3rd anniversary, 4 weeks paid vacation on 5th
• Additional unpaid vacation available
• Extended medical, dental, and vision care
• Staff discount
• Uniform allowance

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Delivers exceptional client service
• Creates a welcoming environment for patients and clients
• Answers incoming telephone calls
• Manages email correspondence including client and referral inquiries
• Schedules, tracks, and follows-up on appointments
• Maintains practice software including client and patient record management
• Processes payments, maintains cash register and balances day end
• Ensures that hospital cleaning schedules are followed
• Follows all SOPs to support smooth clinic operations
• Follows all federal and provincial animal health laws and regulations regarding workplace health and safety
• Other duties may be assigned as required

Education and Experience:

• Veterinary Office Assistant certificate required, new grads are welcome
• Cornerstone experience is an asset
• Basic computer skills are required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a positive attitude – Strong desire to learn and excel, self-motivated
• Attentive to detail, organisational skills including the ability to prioritize
• Compassionate with aptitude for making clients feel welcome and comfortable
• Genuine interest and initiative to help NWVDS be the best practice it can be

COVID-19 Considerations:

All customers and staff are required to wear a mask, curbside appointments are currently offered and in mid-June, one client will accompany their pet into the clinic, if wanted. Extra sanitation and staff distancing in place.

Salary: $18 – $21 per hour

Job Type: Permanent

Additional Pay: Overtime pay

Benefits:

• Company events
• Dental care
• Discounted or free food
• Extended health care
• Paid time off
• Store discount
• Vision care

Schedule: 8 hr shift, Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Veterinary Reception: 1 year (preferred)
• Cornerstone: 1 year (preferred)
• Customer service: 1 year (preferred)

Urgently hiring 1 candidate for this role.

For more information, please visit vetderm.ca.

If you would like to join our team, please email your resume and cover letter explaining why you would like to work at North West Veterinary Dermatology Services to office@vetderm.ca.