Employment Opportunities at AWA

AWA is seeking a skilled and compassionate veterinarian to lead our team at an access to affordable care clinic.

Our ideal candidate is committed to providing high-quality medical care to pets while prioritizing accessibility and affordability for all pet owners. If you're passionate about preventive medicine, diagnostics, and treatment, and dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pets in our community, we want you on our team!

Full-time position offers competitive pay and benefits: health insurance coverage, paid time off, paid holidays and stipend for continuing education credits and/or licensing fees. Salary commensurate with experience.

Objective:

Access to affordable vet care is a priority of AWA’s mission. This role will help lead AWA and the clinic team to help us ensure owned dogs and cats have access to care that improves their welfare, decreases suffering, while being compassionate, respectful, and considerate of both pets and family circumstances. This position will oversee the medical operations of AWA’s public Pet Clinic.

Including:

Develop and implement protocols for veterinary medical and surgical care for clinic animals in accordance with standards of best practices. Provide high quality medical and surgical care including high quality high volume spay/neuter surgery clinic animals. Coordinate with veterinarians, veterinary staff, and other departments to optimize animal care and availability of services. Ensure compliance with state and federal laws governing animal care, veterinary medicine, reportable diseases, and controlled substances.

Attend staff meetings and important organizational events, as necessary. Behave in a manner that upholds both personal and professional standards, as an ambassador of the AWA, at all times.

Qualifications

A DVM degree from an accredited school of veterinary medicine. A license to practice veterinary medicine in the state of New Jersey (or the ability to obtain one). Professional Liability Insurance. · 5-7 years’ experience working as a veterinarian · 3-5 years’ experience managing veterinary technician staff

To apply, send resume to: Laurah@awanj.org

Seeking a skilled and compassionate veterinarian to join our team at an access to affordable care clinic. Our ideal candidate is committed to providing high-quality medical care to pets while prioritizing accessibility and affordability for all pet owners.

If you're passionate about preventive medicine, diagnostics, and treatment, and dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pets in our community, we want you on our team!

Full-time position offers competitive pay and benefits: health insurance coverage, paid time off, paid holidays and stipend for continuing education credits and/or licensing fees. Salary commensurate with experience.

Objective:

Access to affordable vet care is a priority of AWA’s mission. This role is crucial to helping us ensure owned dogs and cats have access to care that improves their welfare, decreases suffering, while being compassionate, respectful, and considerate of both pets and family circumstances.

This role will perform wellness care, vaccine services, dental services and high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries for client-owned animals in our Pet Clinic as well as support various community outreach programs offsite with the goal to provide services to those in need. Occasional support for the shelter pet clinic may be requested.

Attend staff meetings and important organizational events, as necessary. Behave in a manner that upholds both personal and professional standards, as an ambassador of the AWA, at all times.

Qualifications

· Degree in veterinary medicine from an accredited school required. · Licensed to practice in New Jersey, or ability to obtain license prior to employment.

To apply, send resumes to: Laurah@awanj.org

Objective:

Assists with all practices and procedures of medical and surgical support, preparation, monitoring, and release of animals. Assess and monitor overall health, provide initial and routine medications and vaccines. Determine basic animal information at time of intake and maintain standards and record keeping as directed by the Clinic/Shelter Veterinarian.

Essential Functions:

• Adheres to agency Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to include standard best practices on safety and compliance
• Keeps all work areas, facilities, equipment, and animal cages clean and sanitized at all times
• Receives animals upon drop-off for surgery, at Shelter intake, and for foster care
• Maintains proper animal identification
• Checks animals for illness, infestations, injuries, or abnormalities, and performs diagnostic tests as directed by the Veterinarian
• Handles and restrains animals, including fractious and feral animals properly and safely
• Inoculates, medicates, feeds, and cares for animals as indicated by the Veterinarian
• Performs pre- and post-surgical related duties to include but not limited to, cleaning instruments, wrapping packs, and maintaining machines/equipment
• Responsible for the efficient induction and prepping of animals for surgery, to include monitoring animals recovering from anesthesia
• Assists with dental procedures including taking dental radiographs, anesthesia monitoring, and scaling and polishing
• Performs post-surgical duties and checks to ensure proper recovery of the animals
• Dispenses prescribed medications
• Meets and talks with clients during admission, exams, vaccination clinics, foster rechecks, and surgical release, giving accurate and understandable instructions for post-surgical care and treatments as needed
• Prepares and maintains accurate medical records through agency database systems to include controlled substance logs
• Participates in euthanasia and disposal of animals as needed
• Responsible for handling after-hours emergency medical calls

Position Requirements:

• Humane treatment of animals
• Is able to accept and explain the concepts of prepubescent sterilization, prerelease sterilization of adopted animals and humane euthanasia
• Must recognize or be willing to gain working knowledge of normal and abnormal health and behavioral conditions of the patients, pre- and post-surgery
• Knowledge of the diseases and disorders of animals, spay/neuter, related procedures, animal handling and restraint
• Familiarity with medical terminology and medical knowledge preferred
• Mathematical skills for drug conversions and dosing preferred
• Knowledge of disinfecting procedures; antisepsis and asepsis

Qualifications:

• High School graduate, associate degree as Veterinary Technician preferred
• 1-2 years’ experience performing Veterinary Technician duties preferred

Physical Factors:

• Exposure to animals such as cats, dogs, and exotics
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. unassisted, and over 50 lbs. with assistance
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects. Peanut butter is used extensively throughout the facility.
• Long periods of standing, bending, stooping, reaching, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions will be required

Job Type: Full-time


Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

To apply, send resumes to: RyanC@awanj.org

Objective: Provide assessment, socialization, behavior modification and enrichment for shelter animals. Provide behavior consultation and training for staff, volunteers, shelter pet adoptees, and public clients. Oversee all daily operations and staff of the behavior department while maintaining the policies and procedures related to all aspects of said department. Essential Functions:

Behavior

• Ensure the completion of assessments on intake animals.
• Update assessments and behavior information and records as needed in Pet Point.
• Implement the completion of recording all SAFER assessments and behavior modification sessions.
• Identify animals that need behavior support/intervention, create/implement/document behavior modification plans for shelter animals.
• Implement and track enrichment programs for all animals.
• Develop and oversee playgroups, socialization and enrichment standards for all animals.
• Help to identify and establish procedures and management strategies for hard to place animals and those with LOS issues.
• Develop, teach, implement and oversee canine, feline and small animal behavior and training programs for the public, staff and volunteers.
• Implement, schedule and execute public training sessions/classes.
• Communicate with adopters via phone and email on behavior related questions; identify referrals and provide needed resources and post adoption support. Document such in Pet Point or designated tracking system.
• Identify euthanasia candidates and participate in discussion and decisions on such candidates.
• Uphold the principles and practices of LIMA.
• Maintain a certification of at least CPDT-KA or higher.

Supervision:

• Supervise behavior department staff of full-time, part-time and contracted employees.
• Oversee the animal handling portion of volunteer training.
• Ensure volunteers and staff are handling, interacting with and behaving in a humane and safe manner.
• Ensure proper staffing levels for the department.
• Provide performance feed back on a regular basis including introductory and yearly performance reviews for behavior staff to management.
• Interview and hire staff for the behavior department in conjunction with shelter manager.
• Participate in developing annual goals, budgets and programs for the behavior department.
• Ensure program goals and department goals are met and data is tracked.
• Communicate effectively with shelter management, medical staff, clinic staff, and development staff on departmental needs.
• Other duties as needed.

Position Requirements:

• Humane treatment of animals
• Prior experience with SAFER, Meet Your Match, and Felinality Assessments or equivalents thereof.
• Knowledge of animal health, behavioral conditions, and animal handling
• Knowledge of veterinary medical terms and processes; or willingness to learn
• Provide and record objective and accurate information
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Effective teamwork capabilities, and communication and organizational skills
• Problem solving skills
• Time and project management skills
• Effective budgetary and cash management skills
• Customer service and employee management skills

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science or behavior preferred or equivalent years of work experience.
• CPDT-KA or higher certification required
• 1-3 years’ experience working in the companion animal field, shelter experience preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record
• Basic computer skills; knowledge of animal shelter software programs is a plus

Physical Factors:

• Work performed in shelter environment, high exposure to animals, requires animal handling
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted, and over 50 lbs. with assistance
• Long periods of sitting, standing, working at computer and making phone calls, standing before groups, bending, stooping, reaching, and working outdoors in differing climate may be required

Working Conditions:

• Varying shifts, weekdays and weekends, and some holiday work required
• Overtime work as necessary

To apply, send resumes to: nancik@awanj.org

Objective:

Volunteers are an integral part of AWA’s success. The Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator coordinates and oversees all elements of AWA’s volunteer program to ensure the organization’s needs are met and the volunteers are respected and valued. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: assessing the organization’s needs and supporting those needs and objectives through the recruitment, placement, training, management, and retention of volunteers. The Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator works closely with all departments of AWA as needed to provide volunteers for programs. AWA’s Volunteer program provides volunteers for assistance and support in Operations (Shelter & Clinic), Development and Outreach/Events, as well as for special programs (Tales with Tails, Foster program, and Pet Therapy). Assists with developing, staffing, and managing Humane Education-related events.

Volunteer Program Functions: Recruitment:

• Recruit volunteers through marketing and communications
• Work with members of the Humane Education and Development teams on recruitment strategies
• Engage networks (professional, social, internal/external) to identify potential volunteers
• Routinely review process for onboarding from application to first shift for efficiency

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Develop new volunteer opportunities
• Work with all areas/departments across AWA to understand how they work and assess their volunteer needs
• Ensure availability and variety of appropriate volunteer opportunities
• Maintain proactive scheduling of all volunteer activity for each program and event

Training & Scheduling:

• Ensure appropriate job-matching, orientation, training, and support for volunteers
• Coordinate existing volunteer opportunities, including, but not limited to: Shelter and Clinic services, general housekeeping functions, greeters, foster parents, enrichment creation, fundraising and development, special events, and outreach events
• Create training materials and ensure frequent, effective training in key volunteer areas as well as safety; provide specialized trainings as needed
• Familiarize volunteers with AWA’s presence and activity within the larger community
• Ensure recognition of the value of volunteers to AWA

Evaluation & Appreciation:

• Develop and maintain a rapport with volunteers so they feel valued, needed, and connected to the AWA mission
• Annually assess effectiveness of entire program
• Evaluate the effectiveness of volunteer opportunities
• Evaluate satisfaction of volunteers with their experiences at AWA
• Evaluate and manage the performance of individual volunteers
• Enforce volunteer code of conduct and procedures
• Organize an ongoing variety of volunteer recognition activities; plan and organize the annual Volunteer Appreciation including refreshments, awards, activities, etc.
• Increase staff awareness and appreciation of the role and function of volunteers
• Maintain, research, update, and create new volunteer policies, procedures, and job descriptions
• Maintain accurate records for individual volunteers including affiliations, skills, and training; write letters of recommendation for HS students and others

Special Volunteer Programs (Pet Therapy & Fostering):

• Oversee program objectives
• Ensure specialized trainings are in place to meet program needs
• Serve as primary contact for partner organizations and agencies
• Assist the Foster Care & Transport Coordinator as needed

Pet Food Pantry:

• Organize the distribution of pet food to those in need through our biweekly pantry, quarterly pantry, and VOW programs
• Network with community organizations for pet food distribution
• Maintain data on families and animals served for reporting purposes
• Purchase pet food supplies for the quarterly Camden County Alliance Pet Food events when necessary
• Facilitate Employee Pantry Program

Community Outreach:

• Seek out and schedule opportunities to secure community awareness around AWA’s programs and services
• Events include business events, town fairs, tables at local pet supply stores, etc.
• Meet annual outreach goals:
• Set calendar, evaluate overall success
• Establish donation goals and supply drives
• Create shopping lists for events
• Coordinate volunteer participation and ensure proper coverage to minimize cancellations and ensure AWA presence is positive, branded, and professional
• Follow up for all community events to determine success/areas for improvement
• Create displays and materials to be given out at outreach events
• Keep outreach supplies in order at all times
• Provide Digital & Website Coordinator with monthly schedule of events

Education:

• Provide support and back-up as needed to the Education Department
• Assist with ensuring areas and activities are covered such as birthday parties, Kids’ Nights, Humane Education school visits, and on-site tours
• Ensure volunteers are scheduled for activities when needed, such as off-site Humane Education visits, and other activities

Development Department:

• Maintain awareness of AWA’s brand and style guidelines when creating materials
• Identify AWA fundraising communications and tailor messages appropriately to engage volunteers
• Work closely with other departments and attend regular meetings to discuss collaborations and future fundraising and events
• Draft documents for AWA publications
• Track metrics to document AWA’s programs to share with supporters and for grant proposals/reporting
• Answer inquiries from supporters in a timely, efficient, and appropriate manner

Other:

• Monitor and be accountable for budget items and resources
• Prepare reports of activity relative to volunteer programs and outreach
• Maintain and update computerized database, communication tools, forms, and documents for all volunteer activities
• Maintain volunteer database (Volgistics)
• Perform other duties as assigned

Position Requirements:

• Ability to work cross-departmentally
• Commitment to the humane treatment of animals
• Adhere to all organizational policies, procedures, and safety standards
• Demonstrate flexible and efficient time management skills and the ability to prioritize workload
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Effective communication skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to identify areas in need of improvement
• High-quality customer service skills
• Ability to learn quickly and efficiently
• Cash management and handling skills
• Punctuality and preparedness are crucial

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred
• 3–5 years’ experience managing volunteers in a non-profit setting preferred
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record required
• Knowledge of basic computer software required
• Familiarity with Salesforce preferred

Physical Factors:

• Work performed throughout AWA facilities and across all departments, including exposure to animals and animal handling
• Long periods of sitting, standing, leading groups, using a computer and telephone, bending, stooping, reaching, and working outdoors in various weather conditions
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous animals, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects
• Peanut butter is used throughout the facility
• Ability to lift and move up to 25 lbs unassisted, and over 25 lbs with assistance

Working Conditions:

• A flexible schedule including days, evenings, and weekends is required to ensure volunteer engagement
• Overtime work may be required with approval

To apply, send resumes to: sueb@awanj.org

Objective:
Provide veterinary leadership to the shelter through active management, administrative oversight, and hands-on animal care. Develop, implement, and evaluate protocols for veterinary medical and surgical care for shelter animals in accordance with best practice standards. Provide high-quality medical and surgical care, including spay/neuter and other procedures, for shelter animals. Coordinate with veterinarians, veterinary staff, other departments, and off-site veterinary partners to optimize animal care. Ensure compliance with state and federal laws governing animal care, veterinary medicine, reportable diseases, and controlled substances.

Working Relationships:

• Work closely with Shelter Managers/Supervisors.
• Coordinate care and maintain relationships with off-site veterinary partners.
• Communicate and collaborate with supporting departments.

Essential Functions
Administrative Veterinary Medical Care:

• Develop, apply, evaluate, monitor, and review veterinary standard operating procedures for the care, diagnosis, and medical/surgical treatment of shelter animals.
• Ensure compliance with state laws regarding rabies and other reportable diseases, including bite quarantines, rabies testing, and disease reporting.
• Oversee ordering, handling, and recording of controlled substances, ensuring compliance with DEA and state regulations.
• Develop, apply, and review disinfection and sanitation protocols to limit infectious and zoonotic diseases in the shelter.
• Remain knowledgeable about best practices in shelter medicine and surgery, including those set forth by ASPCA/Humane Alliance and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, and implement them as appropriate.
• Stay current with new equipment and techniques to provide more comprehensive veterinary care internally.

General Veterinary Medical Care Operations:

• Perform spay/neuter surgeries for shelter dogs, cats, and rabbits, including pediatrics, in-heat and pregnant animals, pyometras, and cryptorchids.
• Perform additional soft tissue surgeries for shelter animals such as mass removals, enucleations, and amputations.
• Perform basic dental procedures for shelter animals.
• Conduct physical examinations and develop treatment and monitoring plans for healthy, sick, and injured animals.
• Provide medical support for shelter and foster animals, including follow-up on post-surgical cases.
• Manage daily medical rounds for shelter animals.
• Participate in animal outcome decisions, including medical and behavioral euthanasia.
• Perform euthanasia when appropriate and train/certify euthanasia technicians in accordance with state law.
• Other duties as assigned.

Data Management:

• Ensure medical records, electronic and/or written, are accurate and complete in accordance with DEA, State Veterinary Board, state laws, and other applicable regulations.
• Maintain accurate records of controlled substance use and storage.

Employee Management:

• Serve as a positive, motivating leader for all staff, promoting the mission and programs of the organization.
• Foster open, direct, and solution-focused communication within the team.
• In conjunction with the Lead Veterinary Technician, hire, supervise, train, motivate, orient, and evaluate shelter medical staff and interns/volunteers.
• Provide performance feedback for medical staff, including 90 Day and annual reviews, and deliver counseling for employee misconduct or policy violations with appropriate resolution.
• Identify staff training needs and develop plans to address them; create and lead training programs for medical and shelter staff and supervise those selected for specialized training opportunities.
• Support interns for their specific activities within the department.
• Plan and lead regular medical staff and shelter staff meetings.

Financial Management:

• Work with shelter management and leadership staff to assist in developing and monitoring departmental budgets.
• Maximize resources by using funds efficiently to meet animals’ veterinary care needs while honoring donor intent and maintaining financial health.

Position Requirements:

• Humane treatment of animals
• Adherence to all organizational policies, procedures, and safety standards
• Knowledge of normal and abnormal clinical signs and behavior of animals pre- and post- surgery
• Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology, diagnosis and treatment of animal illness and injuries, veterinary soft tissue surgery, and animal handling and restraint
• Knowledge of disinfecting procedures, antisepsis, and asepsis
• Ability to do mathematics for drug dosing
• Commitment to continuing and continual education to stay abreast of updates in veterinary medicine and to communicate new information to staff
• Familiarity with federal and state-controlled substance laws and regulations
• Familiarity with the New Jersey state veterinary practice act and laws regarding euthanasia, reportable diseases, and rabies protocols
• Flexible and efficient time management skills and the ability to prioritize and multitask
• Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate information clearly to clients and staff
• Analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to identify areas of improvement
• Ability to learn quickly and efficiently
• Ability to accept and explain the concepts of prepubescent sterilization, prerelease sterilization of adopted animals, and humane euthanasia
• Effective budgetary skills
• Keep electronic and/or written accurate and complete medical records in accordance with state laws

Qualifications:

• Degree in veterinary medicine from an accredited school
• Licensed to practice veterinary medicine in New Jersey, or ability to obtain license prior to employment
• Ability to acquire and hold a DEA and CDS license on behalf of the organization
• 5-7 years’ experience working as a veterinarian in a shelter setting
• 3-5 years’ experience managing veterinary technician staff

Working Conditions, Physical & Mental Requirements:

• Work performed in animal shelter with high exposure to animals; job involves animal handling and potential exposure to dangerous and fractious or feral animals.
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects, and extreme environmental temperatures
• Potential exposure to various substances including but not limited to: dish soap, chlorhexidine, accelerated hydrogen peroxide, bleach, formalin, isoflurane gas, pressurized steam, and sharps including needles and surgical blades
• Ability to lift up to 50lb unassisted, and over 50lb with assistance is required.
• Must be able to work standing or sitting for 8 or more hours, bend and kneel repeatedly, move through tightly cramped areas, work and reach on hands and knees, and use a ladder and or step stool
• Must have good hearing including ability to distinguish changes in pitch. Must have acceptable sense of touch, smell, and balance.
• Must have good vision including peripheral vision, fine detail, distance, depth perception and ability to focus. Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination.
• Must have good range of motion in joints especially wrist, knees, elbows, back, hands, and fingers
• Must speak fluent English.
• Must be able to work efficiently, effectively, and calmly under stressful or frustrating conditions
• Must be able to respond quickly to a variety of medical situations, rapidly and accurately process
information, make decisions, delegate tasks, recognize a need for assistance and ask for help
• Must be able to cope with death and euthanasia
• Varying shifts including weekdays, weekends, and some holidays are required

To apply, send resumes to: laurah@awanj.org