Animal Care Technician: Anchorage Animal Care and Control

Denali Universal Services • Anchorage, AK

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Animal Care Supervisor, the Animal Care Technician provides general care, cleaning, and feeding for animals housed at Anchorage Animal Care and Control (AACC). The role maintains cleanliness throughout the kennel department and shelter facility and assists customers with animal adoptions, relinquishments, and claims.

The technician provides daily animal care and humane handling, supports animal health and enrichment, assists members of the public and volunteers, and completes facility cleaning and maintenance. The position requires work in a noisy and odorous shelter environment, handling animals and cleaning chemicals, interacting with the public in sometimes emotional or hostile situations, wearing required personal protective equipment and a prescribed uniform, and working all shifts, sometimes on short notice.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Ability to proficiently speak, read, understand, and write English.
• Reliable access to a smartphone capable of running apps for scheduling, timekeeping, shift communications, and time-off requests.
• Must pass the company's pre-employment screening, including a drug screen, criminal background investigation, and post-offer physical/functional capacity evaluation.
• Ability to perform the physical demands of the role, including repetitive cleaning motions; kneeling, crawling, stooping, bending, and reaching; standing and walking for extended periods; lifting and moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances; and handling and restraining animals of different species and sizes.
• Ability to work in a noisy, odorous environment, in outside weather conditions, and around wet conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and moving mechanical parts.
• Ability to handle animals that may display threatening behaviors in a safe, effective, and humane manner.
• Ability to work all shifts, sometimes on short notice.

Nice To Haves

• Animal handling experience.
• Customer service experience.
• Commercial housekeeping or janitorial experience.

Responsibilities

• Feed and water animals; provide clean and safe housing and bathe animals as required.
• Use humane animal-care procedures and restraint techniques, required personal protective equipment, and knowledge of animal behavior and body language to maintain safety.
• Report observed animal behavioral or medical concerns.
• Operate animal-handling safety equipment, including nets, catch poles, and traps.
• Implant microchips and administer vaccinations and medication under the direction of a DVM, CVT, or supervisor.
• Provide animal enrichment and socialization.
• Accept animals from the public, including owner-released and stray animals, and release animals safely and courteously.
• Verify animal identification with a microchip scanner and ensure accurate paperwork and identification accompany animals.
• Assist with euthanasia and animal disposal.
• Complete a daily inventory of animals in the facility.
• Assist the public and volunteers with adoption choices and provide information promoting humane animal care and responsible pet ownership.
• Assist the public with animal claims, relinquishments, and lost-and-found procedures; interact professionally and courteously with the public and volunteers.
• Represent Denali Universal Services positively and professionally.
• Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, and other animal housing using cleaning products and disinfectants according to SDS guidelines.
• Remove fecal matter from animal enclosures and outdoor animal yards or enclosures.
• Clean, maintain, and operate equipment in a manner that prevents disease transmission.
• Load and operate equipment such as commercial dishwashers, washers, and dryers.
• Clean floors, windows, walls, doors, exam tables, sinks, and countertops; dispose of trash; stock supplies; and clean and maintain storage areas.
• Wear a prescribed uniform and maintain a neat appearance.
• Successfully complete the required post-offer, pre-hire physical and Functional Capacity Exam.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED