What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Care Technician position at Maryland SPCA?
Maryland SPCA
Job Description
Job Title: Animal Care Technician
Department: Animal Care/Kennel
Reports to: Animal Care and Length of Stay Manger
Salary: $18.00
Schedule: Sunday 9:30am-6:00pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10am-6:30pm
FLSA Status: hourly
Date: 6/18/2026
Position Summary: The main purpose of this position is to provide quality care for the animals, maintain the cleanliness of the shelter facility, and to serve the public in a professional, expedient, and courteous manner.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Job Description
Job Title: Animal Care Technician
Department: Animal Care/Kennel
Reports to: Animal Care and Length of Stay Manger
Salary: $18.00
Schedule: Sunday 9:30am-6:00pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10am-6:30pm
FLSA Status: hourly
Date: 6/18/2026
Position Summary: The main purpose of this position is to provide quality care for the animals, maintain the cleanliness of the shelter facility, and to serve the public in a professional, expedient, and courteous manner.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Do thorough daily cleaning, as assigned, each morning before kennel opens to the public
- Mix and use cleaning chemicals as directed to reduce disease transmission
- Maintain sanitary conditions, food and water supply for animals
- Scoop and mop dog run throughout the day, scoop cat litter boxes, maintain clean food/water bowls, clean up spilled food on floors, etc.
- Provide customer assistance and be available to answer questions from the public concerning animals in the facility animals to visitors if requested in get-acquainted room or outside if appropriate
- Maintain daily feeding/observation charts
- Introduce and replenish supplies
- Provide all animals with enrichment
- Operate laundry and dishwashing equipment
- Observe animals, document and route health and behavior concerns to the appropriate department
- Check and maintain dog fun run areas (setting hose, cleaning, dumping or filling pools in summer, etc.)
- Be kind to the animals and show consideration in order to reduce animal stress
- Follow all safety guidelines, including PPEs to ensure a safe environment
- Assist other staff with their assignments
- Help train new staff and volunteers
- Perform other duties as assigned, which may include but are not limited to:
- Assist in exam room if trained and approved
- Perform euthanasia, if trained and certified
- Perform dog and cat behavior assessments if trained and needed
- Handle aggressive animals, work with Do Not Enter plans and report new behaviors immediately to managers/leads on duty when needed
- High school diploma or GED
- Interest in animal welfare
- Reliable and detailed oriented
- Demonstrated initiative and good judgment
- Basic animal handling experience with knowledge of canine and feline behavior
- Familiarity with animal restraint techniques and medical terminology
- Ability to handle animals of various sizes and activity levels safely, compassionately and effectively
- Excellent customer service skills, with ability to interact patiently and tactfully with a diverse customer base
- Experience in the use of positive reinforcement methods, including appropriate use of food and humane products
- Ability to accept decisions about animal placement into program or humane euthanasia
- Committed to and enthusiastic about the mission, programs and services of the Maryland SPCA
- Ability to perform physical duties, including animal handling and occasional lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs.
- Extended periods of standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, and reaching.
- Work is performed in a shelter setting
- Exposure to disinfecting solutions when cleaning, exposure to unpleasant odors and high noise levels when in kennel area
- Exposure to various weather conditions when working outdoors
- Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, sharp objects, hazardous chemicals, dangerous and fractious animals
- Technician is regularly exposed to animals, animal waste, high noise and potentially hazardous conditions, including the risk of animal bites
Salary : $18