POSITION: Farm Animal Welfare Specialist
STATUS: Permanent; Full-Time
SHIFT: 35 hours per week
LOCATION: Provincial Office, in Vancouver, BC
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
WAGE: Salaried
CLOSING DATE: Open Until August 15, 2025
We welcome diversity, value differences, and foster inclusion in our employment practices. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion by reading our Foundational Principles on our website. We invite applications from all qualified individuals who are philosophically aligned with our mission, vision and values.
The BC SPCA is a dynamic organization with facilities and services across the province of BC. Join an expanding team in an exciting time of change in an organization that makes a difference! Please read below for additional details and let us know if you have the skills and experience we are looking for by submitting your application.
About the Position:
The Specialist, Farm Animal Welfare is primarily focused on supporting farmed animal welfare through research, communications, advocacy, and public/stakeholder relations.
The role consists of: development and delivery of farmed animal welfare program-related initiatives; development of communications, training and public education content; development and promotion of farmed animal welfare advocacy campaigns and initiatives and related support; data collation and management, analysis and reporting; volunteer recruitment, training, coordination and supervision; and other committee and administrative support.
Some specific duties:
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Farmed Animal Welfare (40%):
- Contributes to the creation and implementation of farmed animal welfare initiatives based on the Society’s strategic plan and fulfilment of key performance indicators
- Develops and delivers advocacy campaigns through research, government relations, writing, and social media; reviews and tracks farmed animal bylaws, with communications as necessary
- Leads development of program materials and farmed animal LMS courses for staff training
- Stays up-to-date on third party higher welfare farming accreditation programs and related research; flags any changes that may no longer fit with BC SPCA philosophies.
- Plans, develops and maintains farmed animal-related content for the BC SPCA website
- Coordinates production of relevant newsletters (e.g., FarmSense), including contributing content, editing, and coordinating distribution
- Creates farmed animal welfare content for BC SPCA external and internal publications.
- Represents the organization in stakeholder engagement, community outreach, relevant conferences, workshops, and government stakeholder consultations; plans internal and external meetings/conferences/symposiums as needed
- Provides training and presentations to internal and external audiences on farmed animal program initiatives
- Responds to media requests, as required
- Respond to farmed animal welfare related enquiries from the public, staff and volunteers
- Coordinates provincial farmed animal communications and online activities
- Prepares updates/revisions to the BC SPCA internal food policy, as necessary
- Provides advice and guidance for the implementation of the food policy in BC SPCA locations around the Province
- Assists staff and volunteers with sourcing food policy approved foods for BC SPCA events; maintains a list of approved sources
- Participates as a member of the BC SPCA Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) and leads revision of selected farmed animal-related position statements; secretary duties as needed
- Participates on other committees as needed
- In collaboration with the Volunteer Resources team, recruits and trains program volunteers
- Prepares regular progress reports on the above activities for supervisor as required
- Performs other related duties, as required
- University degree in agriculture, agri-business, food science, animal sciences/biology, animal welfare sciences or a related field plus a minimum of 5-8 years’ relevant experience; or a combination of education and experience acceptable to the employer. Related experience includes, but is not limited to:
- hands-on animal care and welfare experience
- liaising or working in farmed animal care, non-profits or regulators
- working with diverse stakeholders and different opinions
- writing public education materials, such as web content, newsletters, training materials and social media posts
- overseeing adoption and implementation of policies and procedures would be considered an asset
- Proven interest in animal welfare and understanding of BC SPCA evidence-based position statements and standards
- Superb interpersonal skills, particularly with reference to managing professional relationships
- Strong teamwork skills and work ethic
- Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Excellent organizational skills coupled with the ability to multi-task and attention to detail
- Demonstrated research, report and manuscript writing skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to relate respectfully to a diverse audience
- Computer skills required for research and data management, literature review, report writing, database management, web development, email and video communications
- Demonstrated ability to work independently under minimal supervision, as well as part of a team
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, planning and prioritizing a varied workload in order to meet fixed deadlines
- Experience writing public education materials, such as web content, newsletters, factsheets and social media posts
- Ability to travel and work flexible hours (i.e. occasional evening and weekends), when required
- Access to reliable transportation for travel to events, etc.
- Graduate-level degree would be considered an asset
- Training in communications or media relations would be considered an asset
- Philosophical harmony with the vision, mission, and strategic directions of the BC SPCA.
- Full-time salaried position.
- Hybrid work
- Bring your pet to work perk
- 3 weeks vacation, plus 12 sick days.
- Competitive extended health benefits (dental, vision, life insurance, LTD and AD&D) on the 1st of the 4th month of employment
- Employer RRSP contributions of 7.5% on the 1st of the 4th month of employment
- Positive work-place culture of collaboration, innovation and respect.
If you are interested in joining our team and are legally entitled to work in Canada, we would like to hear from you. Click on apply now or use the link to apply https://spca.bc.ca/about-us/careers/
We thank you for your interest in the BC SPCA, however; only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.
The BC SPCA is a Registered Charity BN 11881 9036 RR0001
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