Animal Care Technician

Humane Society for Southwest Washington•Longview, WA

just now•$17 - $21•Onsite

About The Position

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Animal Care Technician to join our team. This is a part-time (25 hours per week), FLSA nonexempt opportunity. Since 1897, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) has been caring for the animals of Southwest Washington. Today, we are the largest animal welfare agency in Southwest Washington with campuses in Vancouver and Longview, where we help thousands of adoptable pets find shelter, TLC, and loving homes. And through programs like free pet food, emergency shelter, financial assistance, and medical care, we provide critical support that helps pets in need stay home with the families they love. Thanks to our hardworking staff and volunteers, we serve more than 10,000 pets each year. At our Community Veterinary Clinic (CVC), we provide high-quality, subsidized care to the pets of income-qualified families in our community. The CVC expands access to preventative care and spay/neuter, provides care for treatable conditions, and offers essential support to keep pets happy and healthy. And at ReTails Thrift Store, our team of staff and volunteers help hundreds of thousands of items find a second life, providing vital funding for our work with animals. Thanks to our hardworking staff and volunteers, we served more than 10,000 pets in our community - helping them find new homes or providing the support they need to stay with the family who loves them. Our mission is to rescue, return, restore, rehome, and reconnect one animal at a time. That work is possible thanks to the dedicated teams of staff and volunteers who are here for the animals every 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 & 4) 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.

Requirements

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

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.
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.
Daily management of Cattery areas
Support preparation for offsite cat programs
Participate in dog-to-dog socials.
Support daily walks per outlined protocols.
Small animal intake and processing
Support Small Animal behavior plans.
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.
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
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
Set and support Small Animal behavior plans.
Provide support in advanced population management, including making recommendations for outcomes on complex or nuanced cases.
Participate in and contribute to weekly behavior meetings, including sharing observations and collaborating on behavior-related plans and decisions.
Escalate relevant population or behavior information to Animal Care Leadership/Behavior Team for further monitoring and discussion.
Assist in developing, maintaining, and updating team training materials in collaboration with leadership, ensuring alignment with current best practices.
Support Team Leadership with training and mentorship to staff and volunteers.
Conduct behavior evaluations, implement individualized behavior plans, and direct behavioral support to animals in the shelter.
Provide individualized behavior support and resources to adopters and the public, including coaching around common post-adoption challenges.
Contribute to process improvements related to behavioral programming and population flow, collaborating cross-departmentally where appropriate.
Support the behavior population in foster care.

Benefits

Health insurance effective the first of the month following hire (full-time employees).
Dental and vision insurance effective the first of the month following hire.
Matching percentage 401(k) retirement plan beginning the first month after hire, with a 3-year graded vesting schedule and ROTH contribution option.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to all employees and household members.
Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses.
Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer.
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Floating Holidays (for full-time employees)
Bereavement leave
Pet bereavement leave