Animal Welfare Coordinator

*General Purpose: *

As the Animal Welfare Coordinator, you will oversee all aspects of animal well-being, welfare program coordination, and public-facing services within our shelter, sanctuary, and rescue operations. You ensure each animal's physical, mental, behavioral, and medical needs are met, with compassion, empathy and loving care. Support foster and adoption programs and maintain facility cleanliness

V. *Essential Duties:*

· Create and implement a comprehensive wellness plan for every animal upon intake, including medical, nutritional, behavioral, and enrichment goals.

· Perform behavioral assessments and adjust enrichment or rehabilitation plans as needed.

· Provide loving, nurturing and compassionate care, encouraging healthy development of kittens, puppies and other rescued animals that need it the most.

· Foster learning through play and discovery for kittens, puppies, and other animals.

· Monitor, record, and analyze health metrics and behavioral progress for all animals.

· Must keep a record of feeding, treatments and weight of all the animals but especially of kittens and puppies.

· Coordinate and oversee specialized care for rescues.

· Provide specialized and day to day care for neonates, weak, geriatric, or special-needs animals.

· Provide off-site extended care to kittens, puppies or special care animals, when necessary.

· Daily care of rescues in the shelter and the cat sanctuary, including feeding, hydrating, bathing, walking, playing, socialization, etc.

· Care, save guarding and rehabilitation of wildlife.

· Schedule and confirm veterinary appointments, including routine check-ups, vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, and emergency care.

· Maintain up-to-date and accurate medical records, track treatment schedules, and ensure timely administration of medications.

· Plan and prepare all materials for on-site and off-site adoption events, community outreach activities, and educational programs.

· Ensure all animal areas and activity spaces are stocked, sanitized, and compliant with health & safety protocols before each use.

· Coordinate daily assignments for volunteers, ensuring coverage for feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and socialization.

· Check, service, and deploy humane traps, cages and other tools for stray or feral animal capture with the support of the team.

· Plan and execute trapping operations for cats and dogs, ensuring safe handling, transport, and intake documentation.

· Maintain inventory and procure supplies and equipment; inspect and maintain trapping gear, humane traps, and field tools, with manager's approval.

· Provide food and monitor animals that have been released into the property

· Monitor and identify areas for wildlife protection

· Work closely with shelter and sanctuary rescue program attendant

· Conduct sanctuary and shelter visits and tours for guests, volunteers, and stakeholder groups, presenting educational materials and answering inquiries, during opening hours and when required.

· Welcome visitors and provide information about the Alma de Bahia Foundation, the programs and the rescues.

· Give special attention and recommendations to visitors interested in adopting and fostering.

· Participate on behalf the Alma de Bahia Foundation at community events, off-site presentations, and hotel guest engagements.

· Train, and supervise volunteers in animal handling and event support.

Foster and adoption program

· Coordinate and support foster placements: screen applicants, prepare animals for foster, and provide training and resources on animal care.

· Encourage and promote adoptions.

· Facilitate adoption processes: adoptions, manage paperwork, participate in adoption events, and follow up with adopters to ensure successful placements.

· Review and prepare materials and logistics, for on-site and off-site adoption events, community outreach, and educational programs.

Provide detailed recommendations and advise on the procedure and how to care for an adopted animal.

· Prepare monthly reports on animal welfare outcomes, recovery plan effectiveness, and program metrics for management review.

· Respond promptly to calls and emails regarding animal welfare, trapping requests, foster/adoption inquiries, and sanctuary visits.

· Maintain open communication with manager for program metrics and troubleshooting operational challenges.

· Communicate daily with team members about rescues care, medications, progress, and tasks that need attention.

· Oversee inventory levels of food, medical supplies, harness, leashes and enrichment materials; report to manager to get necessary materials.

· Cover shelter attendant days off and when in other activities

· Support wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, monitoring, and release under guidance from Natural Resources.

· Support sea turtle conservation group tasks and activities.

· Facilitate and provide transport of animals to off-site; for veterinary appointments, airport, activities, adoptions, and others, ensuring proper handling and documentation.

· Participate in meetings.

· Support the Natural resources department and Alma de Bahia Foundation activities and initiatives.

· Perform other duties as assigned by the Shelter and Rescue Program Manager, Natural Resources Manager, or Natural Resources Director, Alma de Bahia officers, advisors or board members.

VI. *Education/Experience: *

· Academic studies or experience in animal science, veterinary technology, biology, rescuing, rehabilitation or related field preferred.

· 1+ years of hands-on experience in animal sheltering, rescue, rehabilitation, veterinary support.

· Demonstrated ability to manage multifaceted programs and work with volunteers.

VII. *Language Skills: *

Outspoken with good communication skills. Bilingual; Fluent in Spanish and English languages. Will be required to read and interpret regular and technical documents, technical information to write reports, letters and other communications. Will be required to speak effectively before groups of school students, guests, volunteers, officers or associates of Bahia Beach Resort and Fundación Alma de Bahia. Will be required to engage in activities that demand strong interpersonal skills.

VIII. Physical Demands:

Outdoor exploration, climbing trees, hiking. Frequently standing and walking; uses hands and finger, feel or handle; reaches with arms and hands; stoops, kneels, crawls or crouches; talks or hears. Occasionally sits, climbs or balances. Frequently lifts around 50 pounds and occasionally lifts up to 80 pounds. Ability to work in varied weather conditions and handle animals safely under pressure.

IX. Job Knowledge, Skill, and Ability Preferences

Animal care and animal health/wellness knowledge. Experience in animal handling. Rescuing skills. Experience providing guest service. Experience working with animals. Must be willing to work with dogs, cats and wildlife. Must be detail oriented and meticulous about following SOP's. Self-directed and able to work independently. Must be willing to work on weekends and holidays. Able to work in a team environment and under pressure. Computer literate. Ability to handle multiple tasks and responsibilities. Ability to provide extended care to rescues overnight or offsite.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:
* Monday to Friday
* Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person