Animal Care Technician: Anchorage Animal Care and Control

DUS Website•Anchorage, AK

About The Position

The Animal Care Technician provides general care, cleaning, and feeding for animals housed at Anchorage Animal Care and Control (AACC), under the supervision of the Animal Care Supervisor. The role maintains cleanliness throughout the kennel department and shelter facility and assists customers with animal adoptions, relinquishments, and claims. The position includes humane animal handling and daily husbandry, customer service, documentation, and facility cleaning and maintenance. The employee may work with animals displaying threatening behaviors, assist with euthanasia and animal disposal, and interact with members of the public in emotional or occasionally hostile situations. Work may occur indoors and outdoors, across all shifts, sometimes on short notice. Employees must wear required personal protective equipment and a prescribed uniform.

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 position, including repetitive scrubbing, frequent stooping or crouching, kneeling or crawling as needed, extended walking and standing, and lifting and moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances.
Ability to walk, restrain, and handle different species and sizes of animals using a leash, catch pole, net, or manual handling.
Ability to work in a noisy and odorous environment, handle animals safely and humanely, and wear required personal protective equipment and a prescribed uniform.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Feed and water animals; provide clean, safe housing and bathe animals as required.
Use humane procedures, restraint techniques, and required personal protective equipment when handling animals.
Recognize animal behavior and body language and report observed 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 and release animals to the public safely and courteously.
Verify animal identification using a microchip scanner and ensure accurate paperwork and identification accompany animals.
Assist with euthanasia and animal disposal.
Perform a daily inventory of animals in the facility.
Assist the public and volunteers with appropriate 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, supporting positive public relations for AACC and DUS.
Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, and other animal housing using cleaners and disinfectants according to SDS guidelines.
Remove fecal matter from animal enclosures and outdoor animal areas.
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.