Animal Attendant

**More than a job**

This is an opportunity to make a difference every day. You will be working with a dedicated team in a fast-paced environment, focussing on animal care and customer satisfaction where no two days are ever the same.

**About us**

Lort Smith Animal Hospital is an iconic Melbourne institution. Our Mission is to improve the health and happiness of animals and the people who care for them. Serving the community for 85 years, we proudly provide exceptional, affordable and inclusive veterinary care to all. Our new Adoption Centre in Campbellfield offers sanctuary, rehabilitation, welfare & re-homing for animals in need.

Lort Smith is Australia's largest not-for-profit animal hospital with a clear vision to be recognised as the leader in Australia for animal health and wellbeing. Our Community Outreach programs focus on nurturing the human-animal bond and responsible pet ownership.

**About the role**

Based in our new Campbellfield Centre, you will be responsible for the day-to-day care and enrichment of animals that are housed in the Lort Smith Adoption Centre. You will also assist members of the public with enquiries and the voluntary surrender of privately owned animals. Your days will be varied but some of your regular duties will include:

- All aspects of daily animal care within the shelter including feeding, exercising, socialising, cleaning, behaviour modification and enrichment for dogs, cats & pocket pets
- Assisting the team to ensure the site runs smoothly and efficiently
- Helping find animals new forever homes & foster care
- Educating and supporting our volunteers in all aspects of animal care
- Assisting with animal handling during veterinary examinations and procedures including patient record keeping, reporting and daily checks

**About you**

Are you someone who consistently shows up with a positive attitude because you love working with animals? Are you committed to delivering reliable and timely patient and customer care? Are you experienced and confident handling sick or injured animals? Will you roll up your sleeves to support the team and be just as comfortable working independently? Do you communicate clearly and respectfully?

**You'll have**
- Certificate II Animal Care
- Sound animal handling skills
- A keen interest in animal behaviour
- Compassion and empathy for humans and animals in need
- Excellent customer service skills
- A positive outlook and willingness to be involved in all aspects of the organisation
- The ability to work closely with a team as well as autonomously
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Initiative to put in where you see a need & help out
- Skill to prioritize what's most important in your day
- Resilience in dealing with the emotional challenges that sometimes accompany this role
- Flexibility to work a variety of weekday day and weekend shifts, including some public holidays
- Physical ability to undertake regular cleaning, handling and lifting animals
- a recognised qualification in animal studies, animal behaviour, veterinary nursing, or other relevant area; and/or
- experience working in the animal welfare or community welfare industries

**You'll enjoy**
- A rewarding job you can be proud of, providing community-based veterinary and animal welfare services to all
- Flexible and varied roster hours
- Convenient on-site parking
- Ongoing learning opportunities
- Wellbeing support
- NFP salary sacrificing & holiday leave loading
- A diverse & friendly workplace
- Pet friendly policies (of course) - you can bring your dog to work
- Discounted veterinary treatment, pet food and pet insurance
- Working with a team who share the same passion and interests in animal wellbeing as you

**Want to know more?**

Lort Smith is a great place to work. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively support workplace diversity, equity and inclusion.