On-Call Certified Animal Safety Representative (Domestic, USA)

Job Summary

Responsible for representing American Humane Hollywood’s “No Animals Were Harmed®” program on motion picture, television, commercial, and new media locations, to assure the humane treatment of animal performers, to document how the animals are housed and cared for, how various scenes and /or stunts using animal performers are accomplished. To advise regarding animal safety issues and uphold AH’s Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media. Work includes critical and sensitive contacts with animal trainers, production executives, crew members and occasionally the media.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Monitoring Animal Action in Filmed Media
• Educate film personnel in humane matters, assist in any manner that pertains to the animals that are performing in the film, and ensure the safety and welfare of the animal(s) involved.
• Report Writing
• Timely and accurate report writing is critical; the report must be detailed in a manner that gives the reader a comprehensive understanding of the animal action, how it was achieved, and all safety precautions that were set in place to achieve the safety and welfare of all animals involved. Reports enable post production staff to determine whether a production will receive the AH end credit certification, “No Animals Were Harmed®”, provide information for the written review and determine a rating. Reports also serve as an accountability record regarding the treatment of the animal(s).
• Communication and Diplomacy
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential, along with diplomacy to work effectively with Hollywood program staff and production personnel, including: producers, directors, assistant directors, special effects personnel, pyrotechnics personnel, firefighters, wranglers, trainers, veterinarians, and local enforcement agencies, if an incident requires adjudication. May need to act as liaison to local agencies that have jurisdiction over animal welfare issues.
• Research
• The Hollywood program will make every attempt to schedule a CASR that has experience and knowledge of the type of animal/animals that are scheduled to perform. At times the CASR may need to research a species to perform effectively on an assignment.

Essential Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must have one or more of the following qualifications: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), Registered/Licensed/Certified Veterinary Technician (RVT/LVT/CVT), B.S. in Animal Science or related field from an accredited school, or equivalent combination of experience and education
• Diversity of experience in animal health and behavior preferred
• Commitment to animal welfare
• Equine knowledge and experience preferred
• Broad knowledge and familiarity with range of animals, from horses to snakes and spiders, fish, dogs, birds, goats and cats
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; active listening
• Adept at building collaborative relationships and demonstrating diplomacy
• Knowledge of special effects and stunts involving animals preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• To become a CASR, all selected applicants must complete and pass the CASR training during their probationary period of employment. This training lasts approximately 5 weeks and consists of approximately 1 week of classroom training and 4 weeks of on-set training.
• The work environment principally consists of motion picture production sound stages and off-lot motion picture production interior and exterior location sets in various types of buildings and/or outdoor locations. Requires the ability to work outdoors in rough terrain, and the ability to work in a variety of climatic conditions. The physical working environment is primarily outdoors and may require working in extreme cold, extreme heat, wet and/or humid weather conditions
• Walking, climbing, balancing and standing while on location during the production of motion pictures, lifting on occasion 10 kg or more.
• Reaching, handling, stooping and bending when observing and recording related duties
• Excellent vision from 6 meters or more
• Valid driver’s license required and ability to provide own transportation to production location
• Local, national and/or international travel will be required on-call, sometimes on short notice
• Monitoring of production work can occur at any time of day or night and is subject to change; starting and ending times vary based on production schedule. A production day may be 10 to 12 hours
• Materials and Equipment Used: Required uniform, Computer, Paperwork/Guidelines, Proper Identification, Automobile, Digital camera, Binoculars, Cell phone, Flashlight, Batteries, Proper weather equipment, Change of clothes, First aid kit - (personal)