Job Description Template 2013 V1

Job Description

Job title: Animal Welfare Supervisor (Operational and Rehoming) Location: Burford Rehoming Centre Directorate: Service Delivery/ Rehoming Responsible to: Small Animal Unit Manager

Main purpose of job To be the first point of contact for rehoming queries at your Centre for the team and customers. To oversee the rehoming of pets after their assessment period, maximising rehoming opportunities by delivering and developing a first class, professional rehoming service. The supervisor will oversee the promotion of the centre and pets for rehoming via the website and social media. Supervisors lead and motivate a team of Animal Welfare Assistants, working alongside them to provide care for Blue Cross pets both at the Centre and in foster care. The Animal Welfare Supervisor (ops & rehoming), along with the other Animal Welfare Supervisor, will deputise for the Small Animal Unit Manager (SAUM) in their absence.

Essential qualifications  Valid manual driving licence

Essential skills and experience  Significant experience of caring for dogs, cats and small animals in a rehoming environment  Experience of working with domestic animals with behaviour problems  Significant experience working in a busy customer service environment  Experience of performance management, supervising and mentoring a team  Experience of working in a challenging environment, successfully managing multiple tasks and resolving customer concerns.  Significant experience matching dogs and cats to potential new owners  Knowledge and understanding of basic veterinary procedures  Experience of working to strict health and safety procedures  Experience of working within a budget  Excellent communication, literacy, numerical, computer and administrative skills.

Desirable experience  Media Skills qualification or a high level of competence with media related IT packages  Public speaking or training  Cash handling and banking duties  IOSHH Qualification

Integrity Dynamic Responsible Compassionate Fair & Reasonable 1 The person The successful candidate will have a positive and friendly style, be enthusiastic, cheerful and confident with the ability to work on their own and enjoy the challenges and benefits of working as part of a close knit team.

You will have natural leadership skills and experience of line managing and thrive on the successful development of individuals. You will be an inspiring individual capable of motivating and leading a team to achieve rehoming targets. You will be will be driven, working consistently to meet targets and understand the importance of identifying, expanding and capitalising on all rehoming opportunities and promoting Blue Cross tailor made rehoming services. You should have experience of working in a sometimes emotionally challenging environment and have the natural ability to defuse such situations, creating a calm working atmosphere.

You will be able to manage changeable workloads and have an ability to prioritise your own duties as well as meeting the needs of the team, pets and customers in a professional, polite and patient manner. You will possess a love of pets and show a commitment to the aims of Blue Cross.

Key accountabilities  As part of the supervisory team, deputise for the SAUM in their absence  Daily management and supervision of the AWAs to ensure their duties are carried out correctly and in accordance with health and safety guidelines  Under the direction of the SAUM run team meetings, managing performance, training and mentoring as required  Complete team training sessions on rehoming and matching issues as required  Provide rehoming advice and support to the AWA team  To ensure Blue Cross and Centre rehoming procedures and protocols are followed  To oversee the advertising of Blue Cross pets needing new homes  Ensure pets are promoted in accordance with Blue Cross protocols  To assess and resolve rehoming queries, ownership queries, requests and complaints to ensure customer enquiries are resolved at first point of contact whenever possible  Develop and maintain a pre matching service, searching for ways to proactively find homes for pets quickly to reduce unnecessary length of stay  Maximise rehoming opportunities to assist customers in selecting appropriate pets for their circumstances by providing accurate and relevant information and advice  Work closely alongside the Home Direct Scheme, overseeing rehoming of the home direct pets and the rehoming of pets in short-term foster homes.  Investigate and look at expanding rehoming opportunities with and via external organisations  Work with the centre Animal Behaviour Coordinator (ABC) and other Supervisor to provide information on the progress of pets not yet available for rehoming

Integrity Dynamic Responsible Compassionate Fair & Reasonable 2  Work with the ABC and other supervisor to ensure accurate pet information is advertised and that customers are fully informed of a pet’s welfare, behaviour and veterinary needs at the point of matching  Liaise with internal departments offering support and information to Blue Cross media campaigns and promotions  Oversee the Centre’s profile on Social Media networks  Maintain accurate paper and electronic records and general data storage in accordance with data protection and Blue Cross procedures and protocols.  Complete daily, weekly and monthly banking returns

Other duties and responsibilities  Work as directed by the SAUM  Work within the guidelines of Blue Cross values, using them as a framework to manage and communicate with the AWA team and the rest of the organisation  Assist the SAUM with the selection and recruitment of new team members  To participate in the induction and training of new and current team members  Participate in the induction and support of centre volunteers  Supervise and assist (when necessary) in the day to day care of pets to include cleaning, feeding, exercise and administration of medication  Receive and process payments and donations  Adhere to centre budgets, maximising cost saving opportunities  To assist with centre fund raising, publicity and education events and activities  Attend media interviews and perform tours of the centre to advertise the pets and services Blue Cross provides  Alongside SAUM and other supervisor, deliver training as required on operational and health and safety issues  Conduct regular site checks and ensure health and safety is monitored in all areas of responsibility, generate risk assessments as required and ensure accident reports are completed as and when necessary.  In SAUM absence, facilitate holiday requests and rotas

Salary Salary £20,640 - £22,500 (depending on skills & experience)

Job details Working hours: Standard hours are 42 hours per week on a locally determined rota, which will include weekend and bank holiday working. However, due to the nature of the work of The Blue Cross and this post in particular, it will be necessary to exceed these hours when the work load demands.

Due to the nature of the work overnight cover, including staying on site on a rota basis, to care for young and or sick pets and carry out night checks may be required which will be shared on a rota basis within the team. Self-contained overnight accommodation is provided for this purpose.

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 Integrity Dynamic Responsible Compassionate Fair & Reasonable 3 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.

The Centre

The Centre: Burford Rehoming Centre is located just outside the town of Burford. It has on-site accommodation for up to 30 dogs, 40 cats, 60 horses, rabbits and other small animals. The team comprises a Rehoming Centre Manager, 2 Unit Managers, 4 supervisors and 35 other full and part-time team members. There is a large and dedicated team of volunteers.

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 applications is Wednesday, 12 April 2017

Integrity Dynamic Responsible Compassionate Fair & Reasonable 4