Animal Care Technician

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Position Announcement
Since 1897, The Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) has been caring for the animals of Southwest Washington and the surrounding area. We are a donor-supported non-profit with public contracts. Our mission is to rescue, return, restore, rehome, and reconnect one animal at a time. We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store - the premiere Clark County thrifting experience. Proceeds from ReTails support Animal Care and shelter operations.
Path Forward 2025 is an exciting and ambitious strategic plan focused on five strategic pillars: lifesaving pathways for animals, keeping people and pets together, thriving workforce, mission expansion and leveraging technology. Through these efforts we will build a community low-cost veterinary clinic, behavior and education center and improve animal spaces. We will expand programs and resources for the community allowing people and pets to stay together. People bring our mission to life each day. We are committed to a diverse, healthy, and engaged team of employees and volunteers who strive for excellence, treat one another with kindness, and provide quality and compassionate care for the pets and people we serve.
Animal Care Technician (ACT Levels 1, 2 & 3)
The Animal Care Technicians are the primary caretakers of the animals in shelter, responsible for their daily husbandry, health monitoring and preventative care. Animal Care staff provide high-quality experiences for the animals, and the people who come through our facility. The ACT position is designed with a career path of three distinct levels with escalating skill sets and responsibilities. All three levels take accountability for Animal Care, patron interactions, and facility cleanliness. The Animal Care Technicians report to the Animal Care supervisor and work collaboratively with all shelter departments in addition to regularly engaging with volunteers and workforce partners.
Looking for that work/life balance? This full-time opportunity for an Animal Care Technician could be just what you're looking for! You will be working 40 hours/week on a 4-day schedule as part of our Dog Team.
Animal Care Technician (ACT) Essential Duties
ACT-1 - Basic entry-level duties and responsibilities...

• Provide daily husbandry to all animals in shelter including feeding, health monitoring and cleaning of all animal areas.
• Perform daily cleaning of designated areas including but not limited to kennels, crates, supplies, laundry and associated public areas.
• Follow disease control protocol to ensure a safe, healthy environment.
• Follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment for staff and living environments for all animals.
• Take immediate action to address any safety concerns or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.
• Stock areas and maintain cleanliness of kennels and public areas throughout the day.
• Keep supervisor informed of animal behavior or health concerns.
• Perform other duties as related to above tasks.

ACT-2 - In addition to all ACT 1 duties...

• Public interaction & customer service including adoption socials and leading lost animal walk throughs.
• Assist with preventative medicine as directed by team leadership.
• Assist with moving animals throughout the facility.
• Data entry into shelter-based software
• Support and assist Animal Care volunteers.
• Perform closing duties as they pertain to designated areas.
• Cat Team specific:
• Daily management of Cattery areas
• Support preparation for offsite cat programs
• Dog Team specific:
• Participate in dog-to-dog socials.
• Support daily walks per outlined protocols.
• Small Animal Team specific:
• Small animal intake and processing
• Support Small Animal behavior plans.

ACT 3 - In addition to all ACT 1 & 2 duties...

• Must be fully trained & willing to work on both Dog Team, Cat Team & with small animals as needed.
• Independent decision maker in accordance with all procedures and protocols
• Independently performs animal behavioral evaluations or risk assessments.
• Performs intake examinations, vaccinations, microchips, and appropriate testing procedures.
• Provide positive mentorship for new hires, volunteers & workforce partners.
• Cross training in areas relating to the daily care of animals: all Animal Care teams & Clinic.

Cat Team specific:

• Daily Cat Exam duties including but not limited to assessments, supporting pathway planning, and conducting behavior modification plans as directed by team leadership.
• Participate in advanced feline handling and behavior.
• Support tracking inventory needs as it relates to Cat Exam

Dog Team specific:

• Participate in dog-to-dog assessments for shelter population.
• Conduct dog consultations with potential adopters.
• Participate in advanced canine handling and behavior.
• Support behavior modification and management plans
• Conduct Owner Surrender Questionnaires

Small Animal Team specific:

• Set and support Small Animal behavior plans.

General Expectations

• Follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.
• Good verbal and written communications skills.
• Is visible to staff, volunteers, and workforce partners; communicates with supervisor and directors on developments within the department.
• Promote positive communication and cooperation between HSSW (Humane Society for Southwest Washington) departments.
• Exercise good judgment when working with the public, volunteers, workforce partners and staff.
• Committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team.
• Adheres to organizational policies and procedures.
• Acts as a positive role model for other employees.
• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude always representing HSSW in a professional and courteous manner.
• Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management with ability to prioritize workload.
• Consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of position.
• Meets department productivity standards.
• Use of objective and positive language as it related to animal behavior.
• Supports positive reinforcement as a sole training method used by HSSW.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to read, understand, comprehend, and follow instructions & SOP's.
• Ability to become certified in safe animal handling within 90 days of employment.
• Ability to complete Fear Free Sheltering certification within 90 days of employment.
• Able to work safely with animals, disinfectants & cleaning supplies.
• Able to perform physical work: scrubbing, mopping, bending, lifting, walking, and standing for up to 10 hours a day with appropriate breaks.
• Able to lift fifty pounds with assistance.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to use a computer, working with Microsoft products.
• Ability to retain knowledge of animal breed, behavior, and handling.
• Knowledge of animal health, ability to identify ill health.
• Sincere interest in the mission of the HSSW

Compensation and Benefits
2024 Hourly pay ranges in accordance with levels are as follows.

• ACT-1 $16.28 to $16.80 per hour
• ACT-2: $16.80 to $17.31 per hour
• ACT-3: $17.31 to $18.35 per hour

In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose; full time employees currently enjoy health, dental, and vision insurance benefits that become effective the first of the month after hire. Part time employees may choose to participate in a shared cost premium for dental and vision benefits. Both full time and part time employees enjoy a matching percentage 401 (k) retirement plan that begins the first month after hire, has a 3-year graded vestment schedule and a ROTH contribution option. An employee assistance program for all household member access is also available. A Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses and numerous employee discounts that include partner organizations and access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, full-time employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness with the potential to eliminate student loans within 10 years!
Paid Time Off (PTO) benefits -This PTO3 position accrues PTO at a rate of 0.03 hours for every hour worked. Working 40 hours per week equates to about 83 hours per year. HSSW's Paid time off plan includes bereavement & pet bereavement leave. Additional Paid time off for full-time employees includes the ability to build a long-term sick leave bank and 48 hours of Floating Holiday annually.
Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• The position requires you to be comfortable speaking with members of the public.
• Work duties and tasks may require walking, standing, sitting, stooping, squatting, bending, speaking, seeing, listening, utilizing arms, hands & fingers for grasping, lifting, operating computers, answering telephone, and in working with and/or around animals.
• Position may call for repetitive use of hands to perform tasks in addition to operating tools, computers, telephone, cell phone, and computer keyboard.
• Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Additional physical requirements may include occasional lifting of up to fifty pounds with assistance.
• This position typically requires work on weekends.

Primary workplace is at an animal shelter that operates 7 days per week, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals and with potential exposure to fractious animals; high noise levels; zoonotic diseases; animal bites and scratches; cleaning chemicals and allergens. Potential exposure of infectious diseases to owned animals. Employees will be working up to 10 hours per day with appropriate breaks and lunch. Additional physical requirements may include occasional lifting of up to fifty pounds with assistance.
HSSW Culture

• Vision: A community where everyone loves and cares for animals.
• Mission: Rescue. Return. Restore. Rehome. Reconnect. One animal at a time.
• Values: Compassion. Collaboration. Excellence. Service. Integrity.

We endeavor to seek excellence in all we do; we strive to maintain a positive attitude while doing it; we seek out opportunities to be of-service to one another; we depend on teamwork and collaboration in setting and achieving goals; we recognize that everyone can lead by setting a positive example of compassion, collaboration, excellence, service, and integrity.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" relationship. HSSW participates in E-Verify.
How to Apply
If HSSW and this job sounds like the right place for you, and you meet the qualifications for this position, click the orange Apply button at the top of the posting and begin your journey today. For more information visit https://southwesthumane.org/about-us/careers/.
Application Deadline: Open until filled.
Salary Description
$16.28 - $18.35 hour