Job Description
Job title: Animal Welfare Assistant x 2 (part time, 20.5 hours per week)
Location: Newport Rehoming and Advice Unit
Directorate: Rehoming
Responsible to: Rehoming Manager Newport
Rehoming and Advice Unit in Newport
The Blue Cross Rehoming and Advice Unit in Newport will use a revolutionary Blue Cross
approach to helping and rehoming pets. A Blue Cross rehoming presence will be new to
the South Wales area so this is an exciting time and a unique opportunity for a motivated,
hardworking individual to help helping pets in a modern, low cost way whilst raising the
awareness of Blue Cross services and generating income to help more pets.
The Newport team will consist of one manager, 1 full and 2 part time employees and a
large group of enthusiastic volunteers who support various rehoming activities, pet
transportation, pet fostering and site maintenance.
Main purpose of job
• To help and rehome unwanted and abandoned cats, dogs and other small pets
• To advise potential new owners and the general public in the care and welfare of
their animals.
• To work as part of a team delivering a first class customer experience, assessing
animals, answering queries and matching and rehoming pets effectively.
• To train, mentor and support volunteers
• To help raise funds for Blue Cross
• To promote all Blue Cross services and maximise rehoming opportunities
Essential qualifications
• Valid manual driving licence
• GCSE English and Maths or equivalent
Desirable qualifications
• Lantra trained in microchipping or hold grandfather rights until 2017
Essential skills and experience
• Significant animal care and handling experience
• Working with members of the public in a customer service environment
• Administrative skills, including computerised systems
• Experience of working to strict health and safety procedures
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Good literacy and numeracy skills
Desirable experience
• Paid or voluntary employment in an animal welfare environment
• Understanding of animal behaviour theory and current practice
• Experience of cash handling
Integrity
Dynamic
Responsible
Compassionate
Fair & Reasonable
1
The person
You will have a cheerful, confident and friendly approach, with the ability to work on your
own or as part of a team. You will demonstrate the flexibility and empathy required when
working with pets and a confident, professional and courteous approach to members of
the public. You will possess a love of animals and show a commitment to the aims of Blue
Cross and a willingness and ability to learn and follow instructions. You will be good
humoured and enjoy working in a close knit team. You must be able to prioritise tasks and
demands whilst at all times maintaining a professional, polite and patient approach to
visitors and telephone callers. Our team member will have an affinity with volunteers and a
desire to train and maximise the use of their time. This person will have a drive to help pets
and understand that improving the welfare of homeless pets means finding permanent
loving homes quickly, generating income to help more pets and educating pet owners.
As a representative of Blue Cross you will naturally present a professional image and a
uniform is provided. This is a physically active job. You will be required to maintain a
suitable level of fitness to enable you to perform their job effectively.
Key accountabilities
• To help and rehome homeless and abandoned cats, dogs and other small pets
• Ensure the highest standards of customer care are delivered to all visitors and by
presenting a professional and friendly approach both face to face and on the
telephone
• Day to day care of dogs, include cleaning of accommodation, grooming, feeding,
exercise and administration of medication as required
• To train, mentor and support volunteers
• Help to organise and take part in fundraising events
• In accordance with Blue Cross procedures, conduct pet assessments at the Unit
and in the home adhering to Blue Cross behaviour modification and training
programmes
• Maintain accurate paper and electronic records to include admission, rehoming,
behaviour, financial and veterinary information
• Provide emergency on call assistance for our pet in boarding kennels on a rota
basis
• To support the smooth running for the Unit in the managers absence
• To liaise with veterinary professionals regarding care of pets on site
Other duties and responsibilities
• Work as directed by the Rehoming Manager
• Assist customers to select pets appropriate to their circumstances by providing
accurate and relevant information and advice
• In accordance with Blue Cross procedures, ensure pets available for rehoming are
positively promoted to encourage rehoming
• Support and assist unit’s volunteers
• Work to centre protocols and Blue Cross Standard Operating Procedures to
maintain high standards of presentation throughout the Unit
Integrity
Dynamic
Responsible
Compassionate
Fair & Reasonable
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To assess and resolve enquires, requests and complaints to ensure customer
enquires are resolved at first point of contact unless specialist knowledge or further
investigation is required
Provide a comprehensive information service to the public, advising on services
available from, and the policies and procedures of Blue Cross
Collect and deliver pets to the Unit and other rehoming services
Help to organise and take part in Blue Cross awareness and educational events
Work with other directorates and rescue organsations in the South Wales area as
directed by the rehoming manager
Process donations and rehoming fees
Salary
£18,018 pro rata per annum
Job details
The Newport rehoming and Advice until will be open 7 days a week apart from Christmas
Day, Boxing day and New Year’s day. Standard hours are 20.5 hours per week on a local
rota, to include bank holidays and weekends. Due, however, to the nature of the work of
Blue Cross, and this post, it will be necessary to exceed these hours when the work load
demands.
There may be occasions when it will be necessary to work at other locations which would
include staying overnight for training or other business need requirements
A uniform is provided and must be worn during working hours. In the interest of Health &
Safety and to perform a physically active job, team members are required to maintain a
suitable level of fitness to enable them to perform their job effectively.
THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE
If you feel you have the skills and experience to apply for this position, please complete and
return the application from. You may submit your CV together with any supporting
information as part of your application. You can either email your completed application
form to [email protected] or post it to:
Human Resources
Blue Cross
Shilton Road
Burford
Oxfordshire
OX18 4PF
Closing date for receipt of completed applications is midday on Friday, 19 August 2016
Integrity
Dynamic
Responsible
Compassionate
Fair & Reasonable
3