Job Description

We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission, vision and values.

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.
If you are up for the challenge and would like to be considered for this position, we would like to hear from you. The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BC SPCA) is looking to fill the following career opportunity:

POSITION: Animal Care Specialist - ACA2
STATUS: Permanent; Part-Time with benefits
SHIFT: 32 hours per week - Wednesday to Saturday
LOCATION: Nanaimo Animal Centre in Nanaimo, BC
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
WAGE: Hourly
CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

About the Position:
In addition to companion animal care, the Nanaimo Community Animal Centre operates a triage barn for farm animals. This role will primarily support the operation of the barn, which may include daily feeding, cleaning stalls, providing enrichment and arranging medical care to farm animals. In addition, when there are no farm animals in care, this role may provide support to companion animal care in the Animal Centre, including feeding and cleaning of kennels, socialization and transportation of animals, as may be required. As a specialist in the care of farm animals, this position is expected to provide guidance to other staff and volunteers by sharing knowledge and expertise through clear and effective communication. The ACA 2 – Barn Specific will work closely and collaboratively with other Nanaimo staff and volunteers to benefit and enhance the health and welfare of farm animals and contribute to harmonious team environment.

Some specific duties:
Animal Care:
• Assist the Animal Centre Manager in attaining and maintaining optimum welfare standards for animals at all times in accordance with BC SPCA policies and procedures. This includes but is not limited to:
◦ Administration of approved medications as specified by a veterinarian, registered vet tech, or other authorized staff.
◦ Behaviour modification activities related to handling, husbandry, and socialization in a safe and effective manner as directed.
◦ Maintaining proper diet, ensuring daily feeding and watering requirements are met.
◦ Assists with euthanasia, as requested, ensuring this process is conducted in a humane, respectful, compassionate, and stress-free manner.
◦ Ensures animals are treated humanely, with compassion and concern, and in a manner consistent with the five freedoms and BC SPCA policy/procedure.
◦ Immediately reports any health or welfare concerns to the Animal Centre Manager or designate.
◦ Monitors the health and welfare of the animals through the maintenance of Shelter Buddy files, kennel cards, daily logs, and daily welfare sheets, among others.
• Complete tracking sheet of hours worked in support of farm animals in the barn and hours worked in support of companion animals in the Animal Centre.
◦ Presents to Manager for review and approval.
• Reviews inventory of all farm animal supplies including but not limited to: hay, grain and other food supplies, blankets, halters, personal protective equipment, etc. to ensure that supplies are ordered as needed and prior to running out.
• Maintains facilities and equipment in a clean, sanitary and efficient manner that is acceptable to the Society and is best suited for the animal’s health and welfare as per BC SPCA protocols, including those specific to equine and farm animal facilities.
• Works collaboratively with the Animal Protection Services department to support local investigations, such as providing information about appropriate welfare for farm animals or assisting with animal handling and transportation, as required.
• Assists with adoptions, redemptions and intake of animals including assessing suitability of potential animal adoptive customers for the purposes of best possible match between adopter and animal according to procedure.
• Ensures the security of the building when entering and exiting by ensuring all doors and gates are locked when required.
• Operates the Animal Centre vehicle(s) as needed including transporting animals to and from the veterinarian clinic(s) and ensure proper cleanliness and maintenance of the vehicle.
• Travels to animal foster homes for initial and annual inspection of foster facility, examination of foster animals, and to provide animal care from time to time, as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Customer Service, Team Work & Support:
• Supports the implementation and maintenance of all BC SPCA programs, policies and procedures, particularly in the assigned barn location.
• Works together and collaboratively with other staff and volunteers to benefit and enhance the health and welfare of farm animals and create a harmonious team environment.
• Provides guidance to volunteers, including ensuring that training has been provided and proper procedures are being followed.
◦ If concerns are identified with performance of volunteers, flags this for the Manager, Animal Centre.
• Assists with the recruitment, selection, scheduling and coordination of volunteers in area of responsibility utilizing the approved volunteer management software.
• Maintains clear communication with other staff and volunteers regarding the day-to-day operation and duties/tasks requiring completion.
• Acts as a champion of the BC SPCA Health & Safety program ensuring that safe work practices are implemented and are being carried out to protect staff, volunteers and animals from injury and/or illness.
• Assists in the completion of all administrative and reception duties as needed, including answering telephones and walk-in inquiries in a courteous manner, timely entering of information into shelter buddy, uploading photos and documents, filing and cash handling procedures.
• Acts as an ambassador of the BC SPCA at all times and ensures customer and community relations are consistently professional and positive.
• Assists in local fundraising initiatives as required.
• Participates in meetings with other members of staff to share ideas and suggestions designed to improve the enjoyment of working for the BCSPCA and to increase its productivity.

Qualifications you need to have:
• High School Diploma or equivalent plus a minimum of two years working directly with horses and farm animals such as sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, etc.; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer.
◦ Related experience includes but is not limited to:
▪ Companion animal care;
▪ Positive reinforcement handling/training; and
▪ Customer service.
• Valid Class N or 5 BC Drivers’ License and clean driver’s abstract
• Demonstrable interest in all aspects of animal welfare
• Sound knowledge of equines and farm animals, their breeds, characteristics, and common diseases
• Excellent communication skills and genuine desire/ability to work with a diverse range of stakeholders in a positive and respectful manner
• Demonstrated ability to organize work, meet priorities and to work within a demanding work schedule with minimal supervision
• Computer skills – Windows, MS Office Suite, and databases
• Physical ability to meet demands of the job including heavy lifting, pushing and pulling; an ability to maintain a level of fitness and endurance to fulfill the required duties; must not have allergies to farm animals
• Philosophical harmony with the BC SPCA mission, vision, and strategic directions

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 are committed to a transparent, human-led hiring process. While we use technology to support application management, applications are not screened, scored, or ranked by AI systems. All hiring decisions are made by human hiring managers based on skills, experience, and alignment with the organizational values.

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

The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001