Animal Care Technician

The Animal Shelter is seeking an Animal Care Technician that is highly motivated, caring, and outgoing individual with a professional demeanor to perform a variety of duties involved in maintaining the cleanliness of animal housing areas, providing care for the Shelter animals, and working with the public to support adoptions and other shelter services.

• Represent Riverdale Animal Shelter in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
• Assist with humane handling, restraint, and movement of animals within the shelter.
• Provide food and water to shelter animals daily.
• Maintain and clean kennels.
• Adhere to effective disease control practices.
• Perform Animal intake, including vaccinations, de-worming, taking pictures and accurately recording information into the animal shelter operating system (Chameleon).
• Inform patrons of adoption policies and animal availability.
• Perform reception/front office duties and responsibilities on a rotating basis.
• Administer medication to animals, both orally and/or topically.
• Perform laundry duties.
• Train and work with volunteers in a cooperative manner.
• Support Adams County Norms and Values and treat all people and animals with dignity and respect.
• Report health and behavior abnormalities to the health care and behavior team.
• Assist in the adoption, to include showing animals for adoption and providing information and education about shelter animals.
• Assist with reclaiming of lost animals.
  
• Participate in animal enrichment efforts and stress reduction efforts through purposeful handling of animals.
  
• Perform humane euthanasia on a rotating basis.
  
• Perform special projects as assigned.
  
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required
  

• Commitment to the humane treatment of animals. 
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn general principles of animal care.
• Knowledge and ability to learn safe and humane animal handling techniques. 
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn methods and procedures of kennel cleaning and maintenance.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn syringe use, incinerators, and other tools for inoculation.
• Operate cleaning equipment and other tools used in maintenance of kennel.
• Knowledge of or the ability to impound, inoculate, and humanely euthanize animals. 
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work in both independently and in a team environment.
• Read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Computer skills: Basic computer skills. Knowledge of Chameleon operating system preferred.

• Experience:
  • Previous animal handling experience of at least six months.
  • Demonstrated customer service and organizational skills.
  • Preference for individuals who have a working knowledge of animal welfare and related issues.
• Education and Training:
  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
  • Preferences: Candidate with Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician training and/or Dog Training experience.
• License or Certificate:
  • Must be certified in Humane Euthanasia within nine months of starting date.
  • Must complete fear-free animal handling certificate within three months of start date
  • Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Colorado driver's license.
• Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.
• Other:
  • Must be able to treat animals humanely and with respect.
  • Allergies to animals must be controlled through medication.
     
• Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment:
  • Work Environment:
    • Work is performed throughout shelter, internal office settings, and outdoors. 
    • Exposure to high noise levels/barking, zoonotic diseases, potentially fearful/fractious animals and/or animal bites/scratches. 
    • Exposure to cleaning agents. 
    • Work can be emotionally taxing.
  • Physical Requirements: 
    • Lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. 
    • Frequent computer/tablet use. 
    • Potential for standing, walking, and sitting for extended periods of time. 
    • Regular animal handling and restraint. 
    • Ability to drive a car or other type of large service vehicle preferred. 
  • Other: 
    • Some animal handling and breed identification knowledge preferred. 
    • Allergies to animals and chemicals used to sanitize facilities must be controllable through medication.
  • Work Schedule: 
    • Four tens, or five eights. Ability to work weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. 
  • Work Location: 
    • Riverdale Animal Shelter, 12155 Park Blvd, Brighton, CO 80601

Salary : $43,056 - $60,299