Animal Care and Enrichment Technician (part-time)

HSSV•Milpitas, CA

26d

About The Position

Love animals? Want to spend your day surrounded by wagging tails and soft purrs? Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV), a privately funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit, has been serving people and pets in Silicon Valley since 1929. Having facilitated more than half a million animal adoptions, HSSV is a leader in animal welfare through our lifesaving efforts, community programs, and the many ways we are working to move the animal welfare industry forward. Our mission is to save lives, keep families together, and create a better future for pets and their people. We are a passionate, high-performing team who believes that collaboration is key to our success. Our best work is achieved by leveraging each other’s strengths and creating opportunities for professional growth. Join a team that focuses on our key values of kindness, courage, and impact ! Overview The Animal Care and Enrichment Technician is an upbeat and enthusiastic team player focused on enhancing the lives of animals and people through maintaining exemplary standards of care for animals in our care. Immediate openings for temporary positions, scheduled 0-40 hours/week depending on availability and department needs. Flexibility in scheduling is desirable.

Requirements

Experience caring for animals a must; shelter or kennel setting a plus.
Passion for working with animals and people and must have good judgment skills.
Ability to communicate effectively and demonstrate an attitude of consideration and courtesy to all members of the public, volunteers and employees.
Perform a wide variety of cleaning tasks to a high standard. This position involves a lot of cleaning, including routine exposure to animal excrement and blood. You will be working hands on with a wide variety of dogs, cats, rabbits, rats and guinea pigs.
Ability to correctly interpret animal body language and adjust practices to reduce fear, anxiety and stress.
Familiarity with computer database applications.
Ability to lift and carry weights of up to 50 pounds floor level to waist height frequently.
Strong attention to detail and be able to work on your feet all day.
Able to bend, squat, lift, walk and stand for the majority of an 8-hour shift.
Frequent exposure to loud noise, odors and chemicals.

Responsibilities

Perform daily cleaning of animal spaces in accordance with “ideal” HSSV model shelter standards. Animal spaces include animal housing, outdoor exercise and storage areas, equipment, dishes, laundry, and items used for transport of animals.
Monitor health and behavior status of all animals in assigned areas, adjusting feeding, handling and administering assigned medications as needed to maximize well-being.
Maintain welcoming animal spaces, meeting the enrichment needs of the animals.
Ensure appropriate housing is clean and ready when an animal needs it.
Ensure animals receive daily minimum enrichment activities.
Identify animals needing more enrichment, and test and monitor response to the enrichment until their needs are met.
Advocate for animals needing intervention outside of animal care.
Unload, store and replenish all animal care supplies. Maintain clean and organized supply storage areas and workstations.
Assist in the housing of animals from animal control trucks, transport vehicles and public intake.
Complete and ensure accuracy of paperwork for animals. Handle data entry for incoming animals and day-to-day activities.
Assist and perform humane euthanasia of shelter animals and animals owned by members of the public with compassion and empathy, following best practices and minimizing fear, anxiety and stress. May be asked to complete state certification.
Other job duties may be assigned as needed.