Job Description:
Cleveland Animal Protective League is looking for a driven human services professional with case management, crisis intervention, and community relations experience to join our team!

How you’ll impact our mission?

The Cleveland Animal Protective League believes in maintaining the human-animal bond whenever possible. This is an important, new role within the organization that is focused on expanding our reach and our “More Than a Shelter” narrative to advance our animal resource center.

This role supports our Community Animal Retention Effort (CARE) with the goal of helping owners retain their pets during times of hardship.

Services currently offered to Project CARE area residents include:

• Low-cost spay/neuter (those outside of the Project CARE target area may be eligible to schedule with the Community Pet Clinic).
• One-time emergency medical assistance through our Peticaid program (restrictions apply).
• Low-cost flea treatment/preventative.
• Counseling help with behavioral and medical needs and general care guidance.
• Resource referrals to other programs.
• Emergency assistance with pet food on as needed basis.

Our strategic priorities are to expand access to care and resources for pets through community outreach, including:

• Implementing a Crisis Safety Net Program
• Expand Community Pet Clinic Access
• Reduce client barriers to accessing care
• Build strategic partnership with human social service agencies, advocacy groups, and others with shared vision

If you believe in delivering the best animal and client service possible, want to be an active part of a team that saves the lives of homeless animals and works together to make quality pet care accessible to pet owners facing financial challenges, you may be just the person we need!

What’s in it for you?

• We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and promote a drug-free workplace. We are always seeking dynamic individuals who will help fulfill our mission. We believe that the only way we are successful is with the right team, so we will invest in you.

As an employee you’ll enjoy:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Voluntary benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan with company match
• Company paid life insurance and long-term disability plan
• Two banks of Paid Time Off – Vacation Time and Sick Time
• Paid Personal Mental Health day
• 7 Paid Holidays, plus two floating holidays of personal choice
• Paid Bereavement time (family and pets)
• Employee Animal Wellness Program – extremely low service rates for veterinary care by our clinic!
• … and many more!

What you’ll do?

• Provides support, counseling, and program referrals to clients and staff
• Provides support and counseling to clients as needed or by referral from doctors or staff, including those experiencing elevated levels of stress and emotion.
• Facilitates interactions with clients in emotionally charged situations, either in person, via email, or on the telephone in an empathetic manner.
• Consults with doctors and staff about assessment of client’s comprehension of diagnosis and prognosis of their pet(s).
• Meets with clients and provides short-term supportive counseling during end-of-life decision making, pet euthanasia, and hospitalization of pets, as well as resource support.
• Assists Admissions and Humane Investigations teams with open cases and surrender, providing support to pet owners through the process.
• Connects pet owners in crisis to human and pet resources, both internal and external
• Develops and expands partnerships with community organizations that provide human and pet services. (i.e., homeless shelters, free/low-cost emergency temporary boarding facilities, etc.).
• Intervenes and offers short term counseling to staff in crisis or suffering from compassion fatigue, burnout, or other situations that may impair ability to work effectively.
• Provides staff training in areas such as communication, wellness & self-care, boundaries, stress management, compassion fatigue, redefining success and failure, grief counseling, de-escalation training.
• Oversees Crisis Foster Boarding program, assesses clients for program eligibility and oversees the program’s case management.
• Coordinates and attends outreach events to provide support to underserved and low-income communities in need.
• Designs and facilitates education and trainings for employees and volunteers on human/social service issues (such as: homelessness, mental health issues, poverty, domestic violence abuse, racial inequity) and strategies on supporting clients during everyday interactions.
• Manages data and reporting related to project activities, milestones, and success indicators. Completes and collects all required program documentation with accuracy and consistency; provides supervisors with monthly reporting and program analysis.
• Interfaces with animals of varying species, size, and temperament, both in carriers and on leashes. Handles individual animals in a safe, caring, and respectful manner.
• Demonstrates a value system that is in accordance with the interests of the agency and clientele served (NASW Code of Ethics).

General Expectations:

• Flexible with scheduling and available when away from the facility as needed to meet the organization's needs; shifts may include varied hours/days, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Notifies VP of Operations of situations that could be harmful to the reputation of the APL.
• Informs directors of special needs cases for potential public relations or direct mail pieces.
• Ensures policies and procedures are being followed.
• Promotes and follows safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment. Takes immediate action to address any safety concerns or noncompliance with OSHA safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, and organization at risk.
• Promotes communication and cooperation between APL departments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What we’re looking for:

• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in social services practice or equivalent work experience.
• Valid, unencumbered LSW, LISW, LPC, or LPCC license.
• Experience with grief/bereavement and/or trauma.
• Highly dependable, able to multi-task and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Must possess an Ohio’s driver’s license with an insurable driving record.
• Fear Free Certified or must become certified within six months of hire.

Location: 1729 Willey Avenue Cleveland, OH 44113

Link to Full Job Description: https://clevelandapl.org/about-us/employment/community-support-