For All Positions: Our Ideal Team Member

We're seeking individuals who are:

• Passionate about pet care and customer care

• Adaptable and solution-oriented

• Professional, accountable and committed to uphold our Mission, Vision and Values

• Excellent communicators and collaborators

• Conscientious of safety, privacy, and autonomy of all

• Growth-minded and eager to learn

• Team players with leadership potential

Essential Job Functions

Our team members must be able to perform the following essential functions:

1. Animal Care and Handling:

• Prioritize maintaining an environment that supports safety, comfort, and collaboration

• Embrace fear-free techniques, and use the Platinum Rule to guide interactions

• Ability to read human, dog and cat expressions and cues, and adjust your own interaction style to meet the animal where they are, behaviorally

• Respond quickly and appropriately in emergency situations involving animals

2. Physical Requirements:

• Stand, walk, and remain active for extended periods (up to 8 hours per shift)

• Lift and carry items up to 40 lbs for restocking, exercise setup/cleanup, organizing, or cleaning tasks

• Move onto and off of the ground multiple times per day; all staff members, regardless of role, may work with animal patients on the ground

• Perform routine cleaning tasks including sweeping, mopping, and maintaining a hygienic and pleasant environment

3. Technology Proficiency:

• Utilize software / apps for patient management, client relationship management, and record-keeping

• Operate standard office technology including computers, tablets, smart phones, and peripherals

• Use standard and emerging applications and software to perform administrative and other duties

• Videography, photography and editing software experience preferred

• Willingness and ability to learn and adapt to new technologies as they are implemented in our practice

4. Customer Service:

• Communicate effectively with clients, team members, and stakeholders both verbally and in writing

• Manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment

• Demonstrate empathy and professionalism in challenging situations

Key Attributes and Expectations of Ruff Day Staff

1. Mission-Driven Commitment

• Resonates with and upholds the Mission, Vision, and Values of Ruff Day Vet

• Contributes to improving the clinic’s services, practices, and work environment, ensuring alignment with the overall mission

• Passionate about pet care and committed to delivering high-quality service to clients and their pets

2. Versatile, Adaptable, and Problem-Solving Mindset

• Comfortable navigating diverse tasks and responsibilities, including switching roles as needed

• Utilizes a flexible, solution-oriented approach when faced with unforeseen challenges or emergencies

• Embraces a “hands-on” team mentality where all staff contribute, especially during busy or stressful times

• Capable of independently managing tasks while also being comfortable collaborating when appropriate

3. Professionalism and Accountability

• Demonstrates reliability through punctuality, consistent communication, and follow-through on tasks

• Demonstrates attention to details, balanced with maintaining a global awareness

• Maintains high standards in all duties, ensuring attention to detail and accountability

• Always conducts themselves with professionalism, striving to learn from mistakes and improve processes through self-reflection and sharing insights with team members

• Communicates personal needs and preferences to prevent issues related to excessive task-loading or not having enough challenge 

4. Effective Communication and Collaboration

• Actively listens to colleagues, clients, and management, ensuring clear and respectful communication

• Proactively sets clear boundaries and preferences, balancing personal needs with the team's objectives

• Gives and receives feedback constructively, understanding that respectful communication fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment

• Prioritizes de-escalation during conflicts and fosters a solution-focused atmosphere to focus on win-win outcomes

5. Safety, Security, and Confidentiality

• Ensures a safe operating environment for clients, colleagues, and pets by adhering to safety protocols and maintaining emergency preparedness

• Protects confidential information of clients, staff, and pets, upholding data privacy standards

• Demonstrates awareness and compliance with security practices, ensuring that electronic devices and sensitive data are handled responsibly

• Speaks up when serious issues arise that require attention to maintain a safe working environment

6. Growth-Minded and Continual Learner

• Open to learning new skills, embracing both formal and on-the-job learning opportunities

• Embraces mistakes as valuable learning opportunities, continually aiming to improve and minimize future errors in both frequency and impact.

• Actively contributes to refining Ruff Day’s processes and operations, helping to innovate, grow and improve

• Seeks personal growth intersections with Ruff Day’s business needs, contributing meaningfully to both personal and professional development

7. Team Player with Leadership Potential

• Adopts a “beginner’s mind” when learning new tasks and approaches, embracing mentorship roles and leadership when needed

• Helps set teammates and clients up for success by providing clear instruction, support, and encouragement

• Comfortable working both the Front and Back of House Operations, and filling in or assisting with a variety of tasks, as need dictates

• Demonstrates leadership through actions and effective communication, contributing to a positive team dynamic

• Reframes adversarial perceptions to more collaborative and cooperative practices

• Fosters collaboration across levels by eliminating hierarchical, dominance-based decisions to where absolutely necessary (e.g. emergency protocols)

8. Balancing Pragmatism and Idealism

• The fundamentals of running a healthy, resilient business must be maintained - an unhealthy business has a diminished ability to do good.

• All Ruff Day staff must be willing to constantly improve our practices so that environmental sustainability, DEI, and other aspects of running a business responsibly are not only met, but prioritized upstream so that we help set those who come after us for success.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required

• Previous experience in direct patient care, animal handling, and/or high-touch customer service 

• Demonstrated ability to learn and apply new skills quickly

• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

• Strong communication skills with staff, existing clients, potential clients, and referral sources

What We Offer

• Opportunities for growth and to help build Ruff Day Vet, from culture to operations

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and paid time off (after 3 months of employment)

• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities

• A collaborative and supportive work environment that values diversity and inclusion

Work Environment

• Medium-paced, high-touch customer service, dynamic veterinary clinic setting

• Schedule may include weekends and some evenings to meet the needs of our clients

• Exposure to animals (including urine, feces, vomit, blood and other biological agents), animal allergens, and cleaning chemicals is expected

• The ability to pay attention to surroundings and to be able to safely move around in a rehabilitation-focused medical setting is crucial for our collective safety

Reasonable Accommodations

Ruff Day Vet is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Please inform us if you require any accommodations during the application process or on the job.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

Updated 2/4/2025: At this point in history, this section is more important to us than ever, and we are committed to uphold the beliefs and values expressed below.

At Ruff Day Vet, we believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence in veterinary care. We are committed to creating and maintaining a workplace where differences are valued, practices are equitable, and everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

We actively seek to build a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from candidates of all races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, ages, religions, disabilities, and veteran statuses.

Our commitment to inclusion extends beyond our hiring practices. We strive to create an environment where:

• All team members have an equal opportunity to succeed and grow professionally

• Diverse perspectives are actively sought out and respected in decision-making processes

• Continuous learning about diversity, equity, and inclusion is encouraged and supported

• Any form of discrimination or harassment is NOT tolerated, and will be promptly addressed

• Playfulness, connection and flow are indicators of a healthy Ruff Day Vet work culture, our canary in a coalmine for the health of our Vibe. Though seriousness, confrontation and solitude certainly have a time and place, we value maintaining an emphasis on lifting our practice’s quality of life, so we may help others do the same.

We recognize that building a truly inclusive workplace is an ongoing journey. We are dedicated to regularly assessing our practices, listening to our team members, and evolving our approach to ensure that Ruff Day Vet is a place where everyone can thrive.

By fostering a diverse and inclusive (and dare I say, when appropriate, fun and lighthearted?) environment, we believe we can provide the best possible care for the diverse community of pets and pet owners we serve.

Ruff Day Vet is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law, or basic human ethics.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in joining the Ruff Day Vet team to hello@ruffday.vet.

• Include the position you’re applying for (or interested in) in the subject line.