Michelle Hicks
Wyong,NSW
Summary
Dynamic animal care professional with extensive experience at Central Coast Animal Care Facility, excelling in customer service and animal handling. Proven track record of increasing adoption rates through effective communication and teamwork. Skilled in multitasking and attention to detail, ensuring high standards of care and fostering positive relationships with clients and local organizations.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Animal Attendant
Central Coast Animal Care Facility
02.2025 - Current
- Managed administrative tasks including dog registrations and ownership transfers
- Developed relationships with local businesses to secure donations for food, supplies, and fundraising events.
- Collaborated with local rescue organizations to coordinate transfer of animals in need of specialized care or fostering opportunities.
- Coordinated off-site adoption events increasing visibility of animals available for adoption.
- Coordinated adoption processes and assisted with animal care
- Assisted in the development of marketing materials highlighting adoptable animals, leading to increased interest from potential adopters.
- Provided excellent customer service to visitors and potential adopters, addressing inquiries regarding animal care and adoption processes.
- Contributed to team efforts in achieving high standards of animal care during annual inspections from regulatory agencies.
- Assisted veterinarians with medical procedures to ensure proper treatment for injured or ill animals.
- Increased adoption rates with thorough evaluations of potential adopters and matching them with suitable animals.
- Administered medications to animals in treatment and documented changes in condition.
Assistant Manager
Spendless Shoes
07.2019 - 03.2025
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Delivered exceptional customer service and managed team operations
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
- Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy, and reducing discrepancies including yearly budget management
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Completed regular inventory counts to verify stock levels, address discrepancies, and forecast future needs.
- Managed staff rosters, training, and KPI tracking
- Mentored junior staff members in their professional development by offering guidance/support in their assigned roles.
- Collaborated with the management team to develop strategic plans for business growth and improvement.
- Promoted teamwork within the workplace by encouraging collaboration among staff members on various project tasks.
- Enforced company policies consistently while handling disciplinary actions when necessary with fairness and respect.
Professional Dog Groomer
Shelly Smooch A Pooch
05.2016 - 04.2019
- Maintained a clean and hygienic work environment, adhering to strict sanitation protocols for the safety of pets and staff.
- Managed client records accurately and confidentially, ensuring all essential information was readily available for future appointments.
- Handled dogs of all sizes and temperaments calmly, ensuring minimal stress throughout the grooming process.
- Demonstrated exceptional attention to detail when trimming nails, cleaning ears, expressing glands, and performing other essential grooming tasks.
- Managed marketing, client relations, and business operations
- Handled finance management and staff coordination
- Increased client retention through excellent communication and rapport-building with pet owners.
- Delivered personalized consultations with clients prior to appointments to understand their specific requirements thoroughly.
- Elevated overall service quality by consistently soliciting feedback from clients to identify areas for improvement or enhancement.
- Continuously updated knowledge of industry trends and best practices, participating in professional development courses as needed.
- Contributed to business growth by actively promoting salon services through social media engagement and positive word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients.
Animal Care Attendant
Central Coast Animal Care Facility
01.2011 - 06.2017
- Provided compassionate care for animals, ensuring their physical and emotional well-being during their stay at the facility.
- Promoted a safe environment for both staff and animals by adhering to established safety protocols and procedures.
- Enhanced facility cleanliness through regular maintenance of animal living spaces, reducing the risk of disease transmission.
- Collected, prepared and labeled samples for laboratory testing, culture, and microscopic examination.
- Contributed to positive public relations efforts by answering inquiries about available animals and providing excellent customer service during visits to the facility.
- Assisted with successful adoption events, matching animals with suitable forever homes.
- Restrained animals safely during exams and procedures.
- Reduced stress levels in animals through consistent implementation of behavioural enrichment activities tailored to individual needs.
- Monitored animal health to quickly recognize signs of illness, disease and injury, seeking necessary medical attention.
- Facilitated timely communication with all stakeholders involved in an animal''s care including veterinarians, rescue organizations, foster families or adopters.
- Successfully trained new volunteers on standard operating procedures, contributing positively towards efficient and consistent animal care.
- Developed strong relationships with local veterinary clinics to ensure prompt attention to any medical concerns that arose among resident animals.
- Assisted with emergency response efforts for animal rescues during natural disasters or other crises situations, ensuring their safety and well-being throughout the process.
- Maintained updated knowledge of industry best practices through ongoing professional development opportunities, ensuring high-quality care for animals under my supervision.
- Collaborated with local schools and community organizations to promote humane education programs, fostering a culture of empathy and responsible pet ownership among the public.
- Washed, trimmed, and brushed animals to maintain good grooming standards.
- Assisted with development of animal behaviour modification plans.
- Trained animals in behavioural compliance or other special routines or commands.
Education
Animal Microchip Certificate - Animal Health
RSPCA
Kurri Kurri, NSW03-2011
RSA And RCG - Hospitality
CBD College
Sydney, NSW11-2008
Certificate III Business Administration - Business Administration
ET Australia
NSW10-2008
Animal Care Certificate - Animal Health
TAFE NSW
NSW01-2008
High School Certificate -
Terrigal High School
Terrigal, NSW10-2007
Skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Animal handling
- Honest and dependable
- Excellent communication
- Multitasking Abilities
- Organizational skills
- Effective communication
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
Accomplishments
- Collaborated team work with 40 staff and regular volunteers.
- Achieved the first no kill pound in Australia by introducing dedicated animal portfolio highlight special needs and focused on rehabilitation and or priority of adoptions.
Timeline
Animal Attendant
Central Coast Animal Care Facility
02.2025 - Current
Assistant Manager
Spendless Shoes
07.2019 - 03.2025
Professional Dog Groomer
Shelly Smooch A Pooch
05.2016 - 04.2019
Animal Care Attendant
Central Coast Animal Care Facility
01.2011 - 06.2017
Animal Microchip Certificate - Animal Health
RSPCA
RSA And RCG - Hospitality
CBD College
Certificate III Business Administration - Business Administration
ET Australia
Animal Care Certificate - Animal Health
TAFE NSW
High School Certificate -
Terrigal High School
Similar Profiles
Esteban RiveroEsteban Rivero
Independent Living Specialist at Central Coast CareIndependent Living Specialist at Central Coast Care
CHARISMA PARRO TAROLCHARISMA PARRO TAROL
Senior Cook at Sheriff Dept., Vista Detention Facility, San Diego Central Jail, Las Colinas Detention Facility, Central Production Center, South Bay Detention FacilitySenior Cook at Sheriff Dept., Vista Detention Facility, San Diego Central Jail, Las Colinas Detention Facility, Central Production Center, South Bay Detention Facility
AMBER RENEE ESCOBEDOAMBER RENEE ESCOBEDO
Caregiver at Central Coast Care ConnectionCaregiver at Central Coast Care Connection
Gary HadelmayerGary Hadelmayer
Small Business Owner at BURBS 2 BUSHSmall Business Owner at BURBS 2 BUSH
Bodhi MerrittBodhi Merritt
Concrete Cutter at Advance CuttingConcrete Cutter at Advance Cutting