Neonatal Lead Support Specialist at CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region

Austin, Texas, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

22 Jul, 26

Salary

18.0

Posted On

23 Apr, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Animal care, Volunteer management, Customer service, Data entry, Communication, Time management, Cat handling, Medication administration, Record keeping, Foster coordination, Team leadership, Problem solving, Attention to detail, Google apps, Shelter operations

Industry

Hospitals and Health Care

Description

Neonatal Lead Support Specialist APA! BACKGROUND: Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of Austin’s most dynamic and best-loved nonprofits. The organization is the leader in the no kill movement nationally and is considered a national thought leader in animal welfare. APA! locally rescues, treats, and adopts out 10,000 homeless dogs and cats each year, providing the safety net for Austin’s most at-risk shelter pets, which helps Austin to be a no-kill city, while also assisting other communities in saving homeless animals. The organization is distinguished by the scrappiness of its grassroots, non-traditional community-based animal rescue work. The organization continues to innovate best practices to save lives and teaches its renowned lifesaving model through American Pets Alive!, APA!’s national division. In 2020, AmPA! began the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) project, a collaborative movement of more than 10,000 animal welfare professionals working in nearly 1,900 organizations. HASS is the first-of-its-kind collective of shelters and animal welfare professionals coming together to build community-focused animal services that better meet the needs of people and pets by keeping human-animal families together and keeping pets unnecessarily out of shelters. Brief Position Summary & Overview The Neonatal Lead Support Specialist plays a vital role in supporting the APA! Neonatal Program while working in close collaboration with the Cat Adoption Program. This position specializes in the placement of neonatal animals and is responsible for ensuring high-quality care, strict adherence to APA! protocols, and the smooth transition of neonates into foster homes. The role also supports animals throughout their entire stay in the Neonatal Program, helping ensure positive outcomes and continuity of care. The Neonatal Lead Support Specialist plays a key role in advancing the goals of APA!’s Neonatal Program. This position contributes directly to APA!’s mission to increase the live release rate across Texas by supporting a sustainable, inclusive, and high-impact model for shelter operations. The Neonatal Lead Support Specialist is responsible for managing their daily responsibilities, maintaining clear priorities, and delivering consistent, high-quality work that aligns with APA!’s values and goals. This includes staying organized, using data or feedback to inform decisions, and following through on key tasks and responsibilities with minimal oversight. This is a hands-on, mission-driven role focused on results, reliability, and teamwork. APA! is a volunteer-powered organization, so every staff member is expected to work alongside and support volunteers. The Neonatal Lead Support Specialist collaborates closely with volunteers to complete day-to-day tasks, helps create a positive and inclusive environment, and actively contributes to a culture of shared effort and mutual respect. This position may involve shift flexibility, weekend hours, and responsiveness during times of high need or MOD coverage. Every individual at APA! is responsible for working in collaboration with volunteers; making sure volunteers are recruited, trained and feel impactful through their efforts at APA!. A core part of this role is creating a welcoming and empowering experience for volunteers, including assisting with onboarding, training, and volunteer engagement as part of the day-to-day workflow. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS * Train and lead all staff and volunteer placement coordinators * Maintain a positive and respectful attitude towards each of our individual fosters, recognizing them as valuable volunteers. Assess their skills, requirements, and preferences to provide tailored support and guidance. * Oversee the creation and distribution of communications across various platforms (email, phone, text, social media) to effectively recruit fosters. * Monitor daily RescueCat emails, coordinate pulling animals with Neonatal Managers * Work with transport volunteers to coordinate the transport of neonatal animals and supplies from shelters and foster homes * Act as a primary point of contact for fosters and volunteer mentors * Work with the Intake Team to prioritize outside-shelter neonatal program animal rescues * Vet potential fosters to determine overall program eligibility * Guide fosters through the application, training, and foster matchmaking process * Maintain up-to-date records of all neonatal foster parents using the ShelterLuv database, and program-specific spreadsheets * Maintain familiarity with the program’s most experienced and medically advanced fosters, including those able to take on emergency placements * Maintain up-to-date records of all neonatal program animals in need of fosters, as well as those already placed in foster, using both the ShelterLuv database and program-specific spreadsheets * Market kittens and puppies to fosters, including writing urgent pleas, photographing onsite animals, and reaching out to fosters directly via email, text, or phone * Match potential fosters to specific animals based on foster interests and skill level * Repurpose fosters for different animals based on priority placement deadlines and care needs * Hand off puppies and kittens to foster parents, including arranging pick up & drop off timing, fulfilling supply requests, and explaining medications * Work closely with other Placement Specialists to determine division of labor & delegation of tasks * Maintain an onsite presence to handle onsite foster customer service experiences and assist in tasks relating to foster placements * Provide excellent customer service to fosters via phone, text, email, and in person * Train fosters both virtually and in person on feeding neonatal animals and administering medications * Assist Neonatal Care team as needed with administering medication, feeding neonates by hand, completing intake exams, and data entry * Disinfect crates and carriers per nursery protocols and share in nursery upkeep * Comply with the APA! Core Values. * Actively contribute to a volunteer-powered culture by partnering with volunteers during every shift and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment * Work alongside volunteers to complete daily tasks, ensuring the work is shared and collaborative—not siloed * Support the recruitment and onboarding process by welcoming new volunteers and helping them get oriented to the program * Help retain volunteers by offering encouragement, guidance, and feedback during shared work * Recommend strong volunteers for deeper involvement or specialized roles to your supervisor or volunteer manager * Contribute to a positive culture by recognizing volunteer contributions through appreciation, gratitude, and shoutouts * Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks, providing hands-on guidance, and offering in-the-moment support * Job duties may include some or all of the above, and other duties as assigned by manager OTHER FUNCTIONS: * Attend and participate in essential trainings covering fundamental cat husbandry practices and techniques for administering medications * Assist with Tarrytown Cattery-specific tasks such as care, cleaning, and adoption processing. * Collaborate closely with the Cat Coordinators to enhance the foster-to-event process, streamline foster communication, and boost event promotion efforts. * Able to demonstrate time management to complete job responsibilities * Off-season support in other APA! departments based on needs * Must demonstrate dependability, accountability, time management, use of reasoning, and good judgment skills * Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings * Maintain open and consistent communication with Program Manager or designee, supervisor, and other colleagues * Partner with Volunteer Managers to learn about the volunteer programs and support volunteers interested in your department on an ongoing basis * Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned * Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed * Able to work in a high-volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment * Comfortable working autonomously when given goals and deadlines * Other duties, as needed QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, AND EXPECTATIONS * Demonstrate unwavering kindness when handling all cats, maintaining a compassionate approach without exception. * Uphold a standard of integrity in all actions and decisions. * Thrive in a high-volume, fast-paced, and high-stress environment, showcasing self-motivation, a positive attitude, and a strong team-oriented mindset. * Execute responsibilities efficiently with minimal oversight, demonstrating a proactive approach to tasks. * Exhibit keen attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions accurately. * Maintain punctuality and regular attendance. * Demonstrate effective communication skills in person, over the phone, and via email. * Possess basic experience in cat handling and care. * Display foundational knowledge of common feline health conditions. * Possess fundamental knowledge of cat behavior. * Demonstrate proficiency in performing all duties, responsibilities, and required skills. * Adapt positively to changes and willingly undertake additional responsibilities as assigned. * Exhibit effective communication and customer service skills. * Show competency in computer skills, with a preference for familiarity with Google Apps. * Committed to embodying APA!’s Core Values: Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, and Inclusion and cultural values: Humble, Hungry, Smart * Commitment to APA!'s customer experience expectations * Passion for working well with staff, volunteers, and customers—helping all individuals feel successful, appreciated, and connected to APA!’s mission * Strong commitment to volunteer engagement and support; dedicated to working well with volunteers across all roles * Comfortable working cross-functionally and serving as a liaison between volunteers, customers, and team members * Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interpret rules, procedures, and instructional materials * Self-starter with strong time management; able to work independently and collaboratively * Excellent interpersonal skills; maintains a calm and professional presence in all situations * Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality * Dedicated to delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience * Uphold the mission and culture of APA! in a positive manner across all activities. * Fluency in English and Spanish desired PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS: * Must be able to work around animals (including diseased, injured, and/or potentially aggressive animals), loud noises, chlorine or other chemicals, and inclement weather * Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer * Must be able to focus in a loud and busy environment despite distractions * Must be able to comfortably interact with cats of various health levels, including cats who may carry zoonotic diseases such as ringworm, scabies, intestinal parasites, etc. * Able to be on your feet for multiple hours of the day * Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away * Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away * Must be able to walk around shelter as needed - uneven ground, keeping a safe distance from dogs and handlers * Will sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, stoop, bend, stretch, squat, kneel, grasp, grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level, lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds and push and pull up to 50 pounds for situations of moving supplies and setting up for events; repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist. * If reasonable accommodations are requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship to the organization. WORK ENVIRONMENT: * Standard office environment, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals * Uses own transportation to travel and transport * Occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required to support program needs * Work is normally performed inside; some outside work is required * Exposure to unpleasant odors and noises. * Exposure to bites, scratches and animal waste * Possible exposure to contagious diseases * Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste, disinfectants, and high levels of noise * Potential for animal bites and scratches and diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people TIME COMMITMENT * This is a full-time, nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week. * Shift and schedule flexibility is required, as weekly schedule is subject to change * Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed PAY: This position starts at $18.00 / hour. Eligible employees will be able to receive up to $2/hr stipend within approximately 6 months through successful completion of internal APATec certifications (applicable to shelter operations, customer service, and medical roles). *Certifications and stipends are discretionary and subject to change based on business need. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS The Neonatal Placement Support Lead Specialist collaborates closely with the Cat Placement and Cat Adoption Support Coordinator and the Major Medical Cats Coordinator to deliver exceptional customer service and support to fosters responsible for APA! animals. Additionally, this role involves close coordination with Cat Placement & Adoption placement specialists, clinic staff, and case managers. LOCATIONS: * APA! Neonatal Nursery at Tarrytown, 3102 Windsor Road Austin, TX 78703 * Town Lake Animal Center (TLAC) Campus, located at 1156 West Cesar Chavez, Austin, Texas 78703 * May travel to offsite locations as needed BENEFITS: Austin Pets Alive! is proud to offer a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including subsidized employer-sponsored medical coverage, subsidized and voluntary life insurance, voluntary dental, vision and short-term disability options, all effective the first day of employment. We also offer voluntary wellness and emergency sick plans, up to 2% match on 401(K) retirement plan, supplemental benefits, flexible spending accounts and additional life coverage. Full-time employees receive 10 paid holidays and accrue 10 days paid time off during the first year of employment, with an additional 5 days of PTO accrual upon completion of 12 months of employment. Employees will also receive professional development opportunities through APA!’s ongoing mission to advance our animal welfare professionals in our life-saving work. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT Austin Pets Alive! is an equal employment opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by the issues we engage on. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ people, women, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply. Austin Pets Alive! does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Austin Pets Alive! is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, community focus, and innovation. APA! is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact Talent Acquisition at job@austinpetsalive.org at least one week in advance of your interview.

Responsibilities

The Neonatal Lead Support Specialist manages the placement of neonatal animals into foster homes and ensures high-quality care through strict adherence to organizational protocols. This role also involves training staff and volunteers, maintaining accurate records, and providing ongoing support to foster parents.