Animal Care Technician: Anchorage Animal Care and Control

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Animal Care Supervisor, employee will provide general care, cleaning, and feeding of animals housed at Anchorage Animal Care and Control (AACC). The employee will maintain cleanliness of all areas of the kennel department and the shelter facility and will assist customers with animal adoptions, relinquishments, and claims. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum age of 18
• High School Diploma or GED
• Ability to proficiently speak, read, understand and write English
• Reliable access to a smartphone capable of running apps for scheduling, timekeeping (clocking in/out), shift communications, and time-off requests.
• Must be able to pass the Company’s pre-employment screening process, including drug screen, criminal background investigation and post-offer physical/functional capacity evaluation.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Animal Handling experience
• Customer Service experience
• Commercial housekeeping or janitorial experience

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Animal Care and Handling

• Provide daily care for all animals to include feeding, watering, providing clean and safe housing and bathing as required
• Perform all animal care and handling responsibilities using humane procedures and restraint techniques for all animals regardless of breed, health, temperament, behavior, situations, or circumstances while using required personal protection equipment
• Display knowledge of animal behavior and body language in order to insure a safe environment for the animal, employee, staff, and public
• Report observed animal behavioral or medical concerns
• Operate animal handling safety equipment such as nets, catch poles, traps, etc.
• Implant microchips and administer vaccinations and medication under direction of DVM, CVT, or supervisor
• Provide animal enrichment and socialization
• Accept animals from the public (owner release & stray) and release animals to the public in a safe and courteous manner
• Verify animal identification using a microchip scanner
• Verify that necessary paperwork is completed and ensure that accurate paperwork and identification accompanies animals at all times
• Assist in euthanasia and animal disposal
• Perform daily inventory of animals in facility

Customer Service

• Be familiar with animals available for adoption and assist the public and volunteers with appropriate adoption choices in a safe, courteous, and responsive manner
• Provide information to the public and volunteers that promotes humane animal care and responsible pet ownership
• Assist the public with animal claims, relinquishments and lost and found procedures
• Interact and assist with the public and volunteers in a professional and courteous manner with the goal of promoting and advancing public relations benefitting AACC
• Represent Denali Universal Services (DUS) in a positive, courteous, and professional manner

Facility Cleaning and Maintenance

• Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, and all types of animal housing using cleaners and disinfectants with chemical agents per SDS guidelines
• Remove fecal matter from inside animal enclosures and from outdoor animal yard/enclosures
• Clean, maintain, and operate equipment in a manner that prevents disease transmission
• Load and operate equipment such as commercial dishwasher, washer, dryer, etc.
• Clean, sweep and mop facility floors; clean windows, walls, doors, exam tables, sinks, counter tops; empty and dispose of trash from inside and outside of facility; stock supplies and clean/maintain storage areas
• Willingness to perform others duties as required

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

• Dependability: Consistently adheres to operational standards, ensures smooth operations and positive customer experiences, builds a productive workplace, is reliable and improves team morale
• Independence: Works with little or no supervision
• Time Management: Manages time effectively when accomplishing tasks, projects, and goals

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Will be required to work in a noisy, odorous environment; may be frequently exposed to wet conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and moving mechanical parts. Will be required to work and handle animals in outside weather conditions. Will interact with the public in emotional and occasionally hostile situations. Will care for and handle animals who may display threatening behaviors in a safe, effective, and humane manner. Will be required to wear personal protection equipment while performing specific tasks. Will be required to work all shifts sometimes on short notice; wear a prescribed uniform and maintain a neat appearance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

Ability to use arms, hands and fingers, to handle, feel, and reach. Ability to clean and prepare floors and walls of kennels requiring the use of hoses, mops, squeegees and flexible-head scrub brushes. Ability to perform repetitive up/down and sideways scrubbing and motion utilizing hands, arms, shoulders, torso, legs and feet. Ability to work in a stooped, bent, or crouched position, repetitively and frequently. Mobility to kneel and crawl as situations required. Ability to stretch and reach for cleaning purposes areas such as tops of cages and shelves. Ability to walk and stand for long periods of time. Ability to lift, and move objects, weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances. Ability to walk, restrain, and handle, (utilizing leash, catch-pole, net or manual) different species of animals of all sizes. Flexing and twisting of the trunk, reaching and awkward postures are occasionally required while handling animals, assisting veterinarians and maintaining inventory. Applicant will be required to successfully complete a post-offer, pre-hire physical and Functional Capacity Exam.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

It is Denali Universal Services’ business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER