Purpose of the role:
We are looking for a Dog Intake Support Volunteer to support our Intake Coordinators with ADHOC tasks such as administrative duties, cleaning, and supporting with aspects of their role that, due to other intake daily demands, there is not always time for the team to complete.
Our Dog Intake Team's general responsibilities are co-ordinating the calls and enquiries received to the intake lines, answering questions, and explaining Battersea’s intake policies and procedures to customers. We also provide high quality customer service and support over the telephone to customers who contact us for help, whilst adhering to our vulnerable people and safeguarding policies.
Battersea's Intake Coordinators will be responsible for handling the dogs on intake, and putting them in the appropriate areas, following up with all the relevant admin once the dogs are admitted into our care.
This volunteering role is a non-animal facing position, meaning you will not be directly interacting with any dogs that come through Intake. This is due to a variety of reasons, such as the dogs being unassessed and untrained at the point of entering the Home, as well as for insurance purposes.
What would I be doing?
Typical tasks may include:
- Charging Microchip Scanners.
- Making dog tags.
- Collecting/Dropping off Laundry.
- Stock Check for Leads/Collars.
- Stationary stock check.
- Scrubbing cleaning intake areas.
- Going through the dog belonging box.
- Printing front sheets off for new dogs after an appointment and dropping them off to the Tealby kennel blocks.
What skills and experience would be useful?
- Experience working in the animal rescue sector (ideal, not essential).
- Physically able to carry out physical duties, which would include cleaning tasks etc.
- Although not directly involved, ‘Dog Intake’ is considered a very challenging and emotive area to work in due to the nature of customers and animals that are brought into this area, so emotional resilience would be required.
- Understanding the importance of confidentiality.
- Ability to work on your own, or in a team, and use initiative and communication to work with the intake co-Ordinator’s guidance.
What skills will I gain?
- Experience of volunteer work in an animal sector.
- Develop interpersonal skills & working within a team.
- Develop time management.
Induction and Training:
All volunteers will have an induction with the volunteering team, and then a role related induction with the Intake Team.
What will this induction entail?
- Tour of Battersea's Site, highlighting Intake and Tealby Kennels (area you will be volunteering in).
- A shadowing session with a member of the intake team to give a break down of their day and duties.
- Then an assigned mentor within the team who can show them how to complete their duties.
Where and when would I be volunteering?
In the Battersea Dog Intake Team, based at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, 4 Battersea Park Road, SW8 4AA.
What length of commitment are you looking for?
We are looking for someone to commit to a 4-hour shift (half a day), on the same week day each week (weekday only), for a minimum of 6-months commitment, with review of this role, with the hopes continuing long term. We are flexible with the volunteer's start time but ideally to start after 9am.
KEY DATES:
APPLICATION DEADLINE - 15/08/24
INTERVIEWS - W/C 26/08/24
INDUCTION - TBC
Please note - We reserve the right to close volunteer applications early due to a high demand of applications.
We strive to create an inclusive environment and ensure that our volunteers are involved in all aspects of our work, are valued for their commitment, and recognised for the extraordinary things they do for us. We are accredited by ‘Investing In Volunteers’, the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management.
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and value diversity for all current and prospective employees, volunteers, and Trustees. We aim to ensure that this commitment, reinforced by our values, is embedded in our day-to-day working practices and our work together. At Battersea, we provide reasonable adjustments for those with disabilities or neurodiversity to ensure individuals can achieve the best out of their role. Please email v.coordinator@battersea.org.uk or call 0203 8878 349 for more information, to ask any question regarding this role or volunteering at Battersea in general, and to discuss any reasonable adjustments during the application, interview, and induction process, or whilst volunteering, should you be a successful candidate.
