Overview
Compassionate Care Specialist Jobs in Fredericksburg, VA at Fredericksburg SPCA
Company Overview
Established in 1943, the Fredericksburg SPCA cares for over 2,000 animals each year. We are a community resource center working to enhance the human-animal bond while improving the lives of animals in need. We provide support services for animals, the humans who love them, and the agencies that protect them. Through leadership, action, engagement, education, compassionate care, and access to essential resources, we are improving the quality of life for all living beings in our region.
Summary
This role will be scheduled Thursday-Sunday weekly
The Compassionate Care Specialist (CCS) reports to the Shelter Director and is responsible for ensuring smooth, efficient, and consistent daily operations at the Fredericksburg SPCA by actively coordinating and supporting the team of Compassionate Care Technicians (CCTs). This role is focused on daily floor supervision, managing opening and closing procedures, and ensuring that CCT tasks are completed accurately and on schedule.
The Compassionate Care Specialist is responsible for leading the training of all CCT staff, ensuring they are properly instructed in shelter protocols, safety procedures, and daily responsibilities. A key part of this role is monitoring accuracy, completion, and accountability in task performance, providing regular feedback, and addressing any performance concerns in coordination with the Shelter Director.
The CCS maintains a strong presence on the shelter floor throughout the day, monitoring workflow, addressing operational needs as they arise, and providing real-time support and guidance to staff. They act as a key point of communication between the CCTs and the Animal Care and Operations teams, helping implement staff schedules, communicate daily priorities, and ensure all protocols are followed.
Essential Responsibilities
- Conduct and lead CCT training, ensuring they are thoroughly instructed in their duties, shelter and cleaning protocols, safety guidelines, and operational expectations.
- Conduct basic-level animal handling, animal care, and enrichment training and ensure documentation and compliance of such training is complete.
- Coordinate any additional or cross-training for CCTs with the appropriate departments.
- Assist with onboarding new staff and maintain accurate, up-to-date records of training completion and issued equipment.
- Work closely with new staff to build confidence and skills in their roles through hands-on guidance and consistent support.
- Schedule new CCTs to appropriately shadow in various shelter areas, closely monitor competencies throughout the probationary period, and assist in assessing readiness for official job offers upon successful completion.
- Continually monitors staff performance and task completion throughout the day to ensure accountability and accuracy in standards of care, cleanliness, and safety are upheld.
- Provide timely feedback and retraining when necessary, or escalation of disciplinary action to the Director of Shelter Operations or the management team.
- Support ongoing development by identifying areas for improvement in coordination with the Director of Shelter Operations.
- Support the implementation of new procedures or initiatives in coordination with the management team.
- Assist with the hiring process for CCTs, conducting interviews, and providing input and recommendations of candidate selection.
- Ensure adequate daily staffing by overseeing CCT schedules and availability. Help assess staffing needs and coordinate coverage for absences, time off, and special events to ensure consistent shelter operations when needed.
- Oversee and execute shelter opening and closing procedures, ensuring all shelter areas are clean, secured, and properly prepared for daily operations or shutdown.
- Maintain an active presence on the shelter floor throughout the day, offering real-time support, direction, and assistance to Compassionate Care Technicians, volunteers, and members of the public.
- Conduct daily walkthroughs of the entire facility to assess cleanliness, organization, staff productivity, animal welfare, data compliance (monitoring sheets, kennel cards, etc), and identify any immediate issues requiring attention.
- Lead daily staff huddles to communicate shelter and animal updates, assign tasks, set daily goals, and discuss any challenges or priorities for the day.
- Fill in for Compassionate Care Technician (CCT) duties during staff shortages, high-volume days, or as needed to ensure operational continuity.
- Maintain inventory and tracking of Compassionate Care Technician items (slip leads, treat pouches, safety sprays, etc).
- Serve as the primary point of contact between the CCT team and the Animal Care and Shelter Operations teams to ensure smooth communication and collaboration.
- Support CCTs in handling difficult tasks, emergencies, or emotionally charged situations with professionalism and empathy.
- Work with Shelter Operations, Animal Care, and Administrative teams to ensure proper inventory of necessary tools and supplies is maintained.
- Work with Shelter Operations, Animal Care, and Administrative teams to identify areas of facility requiring repair or replacement.
- Assist front desk staff when needed by answering phones, responding to emails, greeting visitors, and filing paperwork.
- Maintain and regularly update comprehensive binders on shelter processes, procedures, and information.
- Oversee playgroups and playdates as directed by Animal Care Director, ensuring proper delegation of roles.
- Serve as basic Manager-on-Duty when scheduled or assigned to support shelter operations.
- Other duties as assigned.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Animal care: 2 years (Required)
- Management: 1 year (Required)
Pay: $15.00 – $16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Title: Compassionate Care Specialist
Company: Fredericksburg SPCA
Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Category:
