Animal Care Technician

Job Purpose

The Animal Care Technician provides daily care that supports the physical health and behavioral well-being of animals in the SPCA’s care. This position maintains safe and sanitary housing; provides food, fresh water, exercise, enrichment, and positive social interaction; observes and documents each animal’s condition; and handles animals humanely in accordance with organizational protocols.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The following functions are essential to this position and must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Follow all written animal-care, sanitation, disease-control, safety, and emergency protocols.
• Safely handle, leash, restrain, move, and transport animals inside and outside the facility using approved techniques and equipment, and requesting assistance when an animal or situation is unable to be handled safely alone.
• Clean and disinfect animal housing, dishes, equipment, and assigned areas using the required products, dilution rates, contact times, and personal protective equipment.
• Prepare and provide food according to each animal’s feeding plan, including prescribed diets, and maintain continuous access to clean water at all times.
• Complete assigned laundry, dishes, waste removal, supply restocking, and housekeeping in animal-care and other designated areas.
• Provide species-appropriate and individually appropriate exercise, enrichment, and positive social interaction each day, consistent with approved Fear Free and reward-based practices.
• Monitor all animals throughout the day for signs of illness, stress, and behavioral irregularities; reporting any concerns to the appropriate staff member.
• Spot clean animal areas throughout the day to keep kennels, litter boxes, and general living spaces free of waste, spilled food, sitting water, and other debris.
• Perform regular housekeeping duties in the human and work areas of the facility for optimal staff effectiveness/safety and presentation to visitors including the lobby, hallways, restrooms, laundry room, and all other spaces.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and timely paper and/or electronic records relating to cleaning, feeding, enrichment, animal observations, and other assigned care.
• Communicate respectfully and accurately with coworkers, volunteers, and visitors; answer questions within the position’s authority and refer other questions to the appropriate staff member.
• Work cooperatively with volunteers and provide task guidance within the within the authority assigned by management.
• Follow established procedures for animal escapes, bites, scratches, chemical exposure, injuries, fire, evacuation, severe weather, and other emergencies.
• Perform other related duties consistent with the purpose, training, and safety requirements of the position.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Prior hands-on experience safely and humanely working with dogs and cats in a shelter, veterinary, kennel, boarding, rescue, or similar environment is preferred.
• Ability to maintain reliable and predictable attendance, report for assigned shifts on time, and work required weekend and holiday shifts.

Skills and Abilities

• Maintain composure, exercise sound judgment, and follow safety procedures during routine and stressful situations.
• Understand, follow, and consistently apply written and verbal instructions, protocols, checklists, and training.
• Work cooperatively as part of a team and independently within assigned responsibilities.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully and ask for direction when instructions or circumstances are unclear.
• Complete required training and apply coaching and feedback.

Required Training

• Complete the Fear Free Shelter Program within 60 calendar days of employment
• Complete required orientation and yearly training in animal handling, sanitation, disease prevention, chemical safety, personal protective equipment, incident reporting, and emergency procedures before performing those responsibilities independently.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in animal housing areas, medical treatment areas, public and staff areas, and outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Regular exposure may include dogs, cats, and other animals of varying sizes, health conditions, and temperaments; animal waste and bodily fluids; zoonotic disease; parasites; allergens; cleaning and disinfecting chemicals; wet or slippery surfaces; loud noise; odors; and emotionally difficult situations involving sick, injured, frightened, or deceased animals
• Required personal protective equipment must be worn, and safety procedures must be followed for the task and exposure.
• Working hours are between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Regular weekend and holiday availability is required.
• Normal working hours are between 8:30am and 5:30pm, including weekends and holidays
• This position may be designated as essential during severe weather, power outages, disease outbreaks, facility emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Pay: From $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16