Animal Care Technician – SpokAnimal – Spokane, WA

Provide quality care to all animals at the organization. This includes maintaining clean and sanitary housing, providing food, water and clean bedding, general cleaning of the facility, working closely with clinic staff to provide exceptional care prior to, and after, medical and/or surgical treatments and maintaining accurate records of each animal. Responsible for assisting volunteers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Animal Care:

~ Receive, handle and kennel animals of different species, including those of unknown temperament, aggressive, sick and injured animals.

~ Ensure the well-being and humane treatment of all animals in the organization’s care.

~ Clean and maintain kennels, lifestyle rooms, quarantine area or isolation unit, in such a manner as to provide a clean and low stress environment for the animals.

~ Feed and water animals daily per prescribed amounts based on age, size, and overall health.

~ Clean and groom animals when assigned or as needed.

~ Regularly observe animals for any unusual symptom(s) that may be indicative of a medical or behavioral problem and report to management.

~ Ensure that animals receive clean bedding and toys on a daily basis.

~ Perform initial health and temperament evaluation for incoming animals.

~ Must be able to recognize animal behavior that is potentially dangerous.

~ Be aware of special needs of the animals (i.e. special diet, health conditions).

~ Ensure maintenance of medical information for animals’ records.

~ Provide assistance to volunteers, as needed.

Adoptions:

~ Ensure high quality customer service at all times.

~ Check emails and answer phone calls in a timely manner.

~ Provide adoption information for potential adopters to ensure the best match.

~ Accurately process adoptions utilizing shelter software.

~ Ensure paperwork and kennel cards are accurate.

~ Facilitate and promote adoptions; counsel interested parties about available animals and provide education about proper animal care.

Operational Activities:

~ Knowledgeable of the characteristics and appearance of common breeds of dogs and cats.

~ Responsible for laundry, including washing, drying, folding and putting away towels and bedding.

~ Ensure a safe work environment; follow all safety guidelines, and model safe work practices.

~ Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, animal, or client at risk.

~ Follow established procedures governing safe work practices; to perform duties in a manner that assures the safety of oneself and others.

~ May occasionally be required to drive company vehicle.

~ Perform daily opening and closing tasks for assigned areas.

~ Help unload/load animals from incoming arrivals/departures.

~ Restock all supplies of the cleaning area assigned after each shift of cleaning.

~ Maintain equipment in working condition, report equipment or supply needs.

~ Assists with animal rescues, transports and provides support in the setup of offsite adoptions as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

~ High school diploma or GED.

~ Five (5) years of customer service experience preferred.

~ Valid driver’s license is required.

~ Ability to obtain Washington State Certification as a Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET).

~ Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, including excellent interpersonal communication and phone skills.

~ Knowledge of basic Microsoft programs, possess ability to learn and use other software, including but not limited to shelter management record keeping.

~ Comfort level handling cats. Previous animal handling experience desired.

~ Ability to meet deadlines; ability to set and accomplish work in order of priority; professionally maintain composure and effectiveness under pressure and changing conditions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

~ Frequently required to stand, sit, walk, run, jump, bend, twist, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; taste or smell; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.

~ Frequently lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds; move and restrain animals weighing up to 100 pounds (with assistance).

~ Ability to work in varying temperatures.

~ Ability to hold and restrain animals.

~ Other possible job hazards include exposure to corrosive chemicals and cleaning agents, exposure to feral and vicious animals, to animals with an unknown health history and therefore, to high noise levels, exposure to zoonotic diseases through animal bites and scratches, airborne transmission, and physical contact.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

~Work is performed in a kennel/shelter setting and outdoors.

~Must be able to work closely with animal dander/hair.

~Able to work varied hours/days, weekends required.

~Overnight travel and stay may be required when participating in animal rescue missions or animal transports.

Submit resume with cover letter via Indeed- no phone calls, please.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Benefits: