Hannah Kittelson
Bondurant,IA
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Animal Care Manager
Animal Rescue League Of Iowa
12.2018 - 02.2023
- Ensured all tasks involving animal welfare were assigned to team members which included overseeing daily cleaning , enrichment, and maintenance activities of animal areas were completed; inclusive of all areas utilized by animals and animal care staff.
- Responsible for supporting animal care duties during operational hours during emergencies and vacancies.
- Managed team of 25-35 people across two locations.
- Interviewed and identified appropriate candidates and informed recruiter who completed hiring process to fill vacant positions.
- Performed Human Resource activities, when HR vacant, which included completing recruitments/job postings, initial telephone interviews, in person interviews, and candidate selection and offers.
- Completed onboarding process to include new hire paperwork then oversaw 2 to 3 week training program that included providing orientation training materials, assigning training schedule, linking new hires with appropriate trainer(s) in area of assignment and evaluating competencies in tasks performed.
- Maximized performance of staff by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Evaluated employees' strengths and assigned tasks based upon experience and training.
- Identified employees' areas for growth and assigned tasks based upon experience and training needs.
- Established and updated work schedules to account for changing staff levels and expected workloads.
- Reviewed, validated staff timecard entries, and approved regular employee payroll submissions for employees.
- Conducted inventory reviews weekly to ensure materials and components necessary for animal care duties were readily available. Submitted order requests for these items when necessary.
- Created Standard Operating Procedures necessary to detail work duties completed by animal care staff. These included how to operate a blender, how to set up devices for collecting urinary samples, and how to provide care for species of animals entering shelter.
- Organized weekly team meetings with animal care staff to share weekly updates for team, organize team bonding activities, and provide them a safe environment for idea sharing and expressing their concerns.
- Conducted annual individual performance reviews for 25-35 team members which detailed areas of strength and opportunities for growth, within their current position.
- Provided information to Director and CEO regarding employee annual performance review and recommended pay increases as appropriate.
- Conducted one-on-one supervisory meetings with animal care staff to provide regular performance input, create and follow up on professional development goals, as well as to identify staff satisfaction, needs, and concerns.
- Supported team members when injuries occurred while on the job through filling out and passing along appropriate paperwork, informing appropriate team members of incidents, sending team members to appropriate facilities to receive care and follow up care, and ensure that animal care staff follow work restrictions and in doing so created job duties that comply with identified work restrictions.
- Worked alongside and trained new and existing volunteers on job duties to support the animal care team in their duties as well as projects requiring additional support.
- Communicated with volunteer coordinator in order to further develop ARL volunteer program, identify when volunteer support was urgent to ensure operational needs were met, develop expectations and timeframes for volunteer sign up, and allocate animal care staff or myself to provide necessary training for volunteers.
- Worked with various department leads for quality improvements to processes, policies, job descriptions and overall operations.
- Provided input and advocacy for animal care team needs during leadership team meetings in order to develop plans of action specific to address emergency situations, such as rescue missions with expectation of intaking 50+ animals with little prep time.
- Created solution to widespread ringworm infection problem in general population cat rooms which successfully supported reduction in prevalence of ringworm in the cat population by over 50% within first two years of creating “pending fungal isolation room”. Through these efforts length of stay for asymptomatic cats was minimally affected due to isolation of symptomatic cats which saved ARL shelter funds.
Animal Care Technician
Animal Rescue League Of Iowa
01.2016 - 12.2018
- Provided daily care for 30-100 animals in shelter setting by: maintaining animal enclosures and outside holding areas, prepared and distributed appropriate diets, created and dispersed behavioral enrichment, provided basic grooming needs, completed daily documentation of animals entrusted to me, administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition, restrained animals safely during exams and procedures..
- Monitored animals and documented (on paper charts and in our database symptom) for signs of disease, illness, injury, or behavior changes and communicated concerns to behavior and medical teams as well as fellow animal care technicians.
- Supported animal wellbeing by caring for both physical and mental health needs through strategies such as changes in routine, incorporating enrichment plans, and utilizing alternative options to reinforce desired behaviors from animal (e.g. redirection for barrier reactivity and overstimulation, shifting cat to opposite side of kennel for safer cleaning practices, encouraging "barkless kennels" in dog room to decrease noise using practices like "click to calm" and creating interactive enrichment
- Trained new volunteers and animal care technicians in all aspects of animals care: cleaning enclosures and interacting with animals safely, restraining and leashing up dogs, dog to dog introductions, expectations in emergency situations with an animal (like dog on dog fight, animal bite to human, injured animal, etc), disinfecting dishes, floors, and components in animal holding room.
- Educated pet owners on animal care, nutrition, disease management, and conducting introductions with their newly adopted animal between new animals, people, and environments to increase probability of success with placement of new animal into home.
- Invited to and attended multiple meetings with supervisors and directors in different departments to discuss plans on revamping our animal adoption program to increase visitors in shelter and animal adoptions as well as work towards incorporating new tactics to decrease RTOs (animals being returned to shelter after being adopted).
- Provided opportunity to attend Animal Care Expo conference in Kansas City with small group of team members from ARL to advance our knowledge in some of new concepts being introduced to animal and animal shelter fields.
Certified Sales Associate
Earl May Garden Centers
04.2015 - 01.2016
- Served customers with knowledgeable and friendly support at every stage of shopping and purchasing.
- Maintained daily upkeep of store inventory of plants, flowers, shrubs, and trees.
- Maintained current knowledge of evolving changes in marketplace.
- Accountable for opening and closing routines which include register opening and closing book work, inputting sales data entry, dropping off deposits, and ensuring facility security.
- Assisted with payroll, creating schedules, and placing inventory orders.
- Maintained organization of areas in store and office as well as scheduling daily duties to floor team.
- Trained to operate heavy equipment such as forklift.
Temporary Zoo Keeper
Blank Park Zoo
03.2014 - 06.2014
- Provided daily care for 20-40 animals in zoo setting by maintaining animal exhibits and holding areas, prepared and distributed appropriate diets, created behavioral enrichment, and completed daily documentation of animals entrusted to me.
- Maintained general upkeep of exhibits and buildings including, landscaping , perching, power washing, and testing electric fences.
- Engaged public interest in zoo through outreach and impromptu conversations and discussion.
- Supervised and trained animal care interns and adult and youth volunteers working with our team.
- Maintained food and supply inventories.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Animal Ecology
Iowa State University
Ames, IA05.2014
Skills
- Problem Solving
- Data Entry
- Process Writing
- Collaboration
- Critical Thinking
- Decision Making
- Product Knowledge
- Adaptability
- Patience
Additional Information
- 2017-2022, Participated in multiple large scale animal rescue missions with the ARL that included hoarding, neglect, and overturned livestock transports. Drove animal rescue vehicles to the site, assisted in and led teams in animal captures, handling, and crating, ensured that the environment/enclosure was appropriate but for some animals researched in order to create the appropriate safe environment. Used and wore appropriate PPE such as catch poles, bite gloves, respirators, and coveralls.
- 2014-2015, Blank Park Zoo Plant. Grow. Fly.: Participated in outreach presentations at events to spark interest in our program to support pollinators. Worked booths focused on kids, families, and adults.
- 2009-2010, Dana College Butterfly Project: Delivered animal outreach presentations and animal appearances at events, caretaker of the project's butterflies (and all life stages), performed counts of butterflies in different environments (yard, field, prairie, etc) for field research,
Timeline
Animal Care Manager
Animal Rescue League Of Iowa
12.2018 - 02.2023
Animal Care Technician
Animal Rescue League Of Iowa
01.2016 - 12.2018
Certified Sales Associate
Earl May Garden Centers
04.2015 - 01.2016
Temporary Zoo Keeper
Blank Park Zoo
03.2014 - 06.2014
Bachelor of Science - Animal Ecology
Iowa State University
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