What are the responsibilities and job description for the Veterinary Assistant/Animal Care Attendant - Full time position at Ulster County SPCA?
The Ulster County SPCA is seeking a dedicated, hardworking, and compassionate individual to fill the dual role of Animal Care Attendant / Veterinary Assistant. This position splits time between providing top-tier daily care for our shelter animals and assisting our veterinary team with medical treatments, exams, and surgeries. You will ensure our animals live in a clean, safe, and enriching environment while receiving the vital medical support they need on their journey to a forever home.
Key Responsibilities
Animal Care Attendant
- Sanitation & Maintenance: Thoroughly clean, disinfect, and maintain animal kennels, cages, and runs according to shelter protocols and NYS Standards of Care.
- Daily Care: Provide fresh food, water, and clean bedding for all sheltered animals (dogs, cats, and small animals).
- Enrichment & Exercise: Assist with animal socialization, walking dogs, and providing mental stimulation to reduce shelter stress.
- Observation: Monitor animals closely for any subtle changes in health, behavior, or temperament, and report concerns promptly to supervisors.
- Customer Service: Assist in adoption counseling and customer service while working alongside a team of professional, respectful teammates.
Veterinary Assistant
- Medical Assistance: Restrain animals safely and compassionately for veterinary exams, blood draws, vaccinations, and treatments. Complete animal intake and outgoing procedures, including screenings, preventatives, vaccinations and basic grooming (ear cleanings/nail trims).
- Daily Care: Feed, bathe and monitor animals located in medical spaces on a daily basis; clean, sterilize and maintain shelter medical spaces, exam rooms and storage areas and associated equipment
- Clinic Care: Cross-train to assist as needed in the clinic; preparing, positioning and restraining animals for surgical operations/procedures
- Medication Administration: Administer prescribed oral, topical, and injectable medications under the direction of the veterinary team.
- Record Keeping: Accurately update medical charts, logs, and shelter software records.
Qualifications
- Education: High school graduate; Veterinary Assistant certification or equivalent education preferred.
- Experience: Minimum of 1 year of experience working with animals in a veterinary professional setting (shelter preferred).
- Physical Demands: Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand/walk for long periods, and daily exposure to animal odors and/or airborne particles.
- Behavioral Handling: Comfort handling animals of various sizes, breeds, and temperaments, including those who may be fearful or stressed.
- Attributes: Strong work ethic, reliability, emotional resilience, and excellent communication skills. You must be a team player who takes initiative.
- Skills: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting deadlines; must be detail-oriented, reliable, and able to rapidly and accurately process information.
To Apply
Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter explaining why you would be a great fit for the Ulster County SPCA.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $16.00 - $21.64 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Required)
Experience:
- Veterinary assistant: 1 year (Preferred)
Language:
- Spanish (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $16 - $22