Animal Care Technician (Full-time & Part-time)

Humane Society for Southwest Washington • Vancouver, WA

10d • $17 - $21 • Onsite

About The Position

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is hiring full-time and part-time Animal Care Technicians. These FLSA nonexempt positions are scheduled for approximately 25 to 40 hours per week. Animal Care Technicians are the shelter’s primary animal caretakers, responsible for daily husbandry, health monitoring, preventative care, and creating high-quality experiences for animals and visitors.

The role has four career levels, each with escalating skills and responsibilities. All levels are accountable for animal care, patron interactions, and facility cleanliness. Technicians report to the Animal Care Supervisor and collaborate with shelter departments, volunteers, and workforce partners. Duties at higher levels build on those of the preceding levels, progressing from daily animal care and cleaning to customer service, intake and medical support, behavioral assessments, adoption consultations, mentorship, population management, and individualized behavioral support.

The position is based at an animal shelter operating seven days a week. Work may involve animals, including fractious animals, high noise levels, zoonotic disease, bites and scratches, cleaning chemicals, and allergens. Employees may work up to 10 hours per day with appropriate breaks and lunch. Weekend work is typically required.

Requirements

• Ability to read, understand, comprehend, and follow instructions and standard operating procedures.
• 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.
• Ability to work safely with animals, disinfectants, and cleaning supplies.
• Ability to perform physical work including scrubbing, mopping, bending, lifting, walking, and standing for up to 10 hours a day with appropriate breaks.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to use a computer and Microsoft products.
• Ability to retain knowledge of animal breeds, behavior, and handling.
• Knowledge of animal health and ability to identify ill health.
• Sincere interest in HSSW’s mission.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfort speaking with members of the public.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, manage time flexibly, prioritize workload, and work collaboratively.
• Consistently report to work on time prepared to perform the position’s duties and meet department productivity standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily husbandry, including feeding, health monitoring, cleaning animal areas, and maintaining animal housing and public areas.
• Follow disease-control and safety protocols, address safety concerns promptly, and keep supervisors informed of animal health or behavior concerns.
• Provide customer service and public interaction, including adoption events and lost-animal walk-throughs.
• Assist with preventative medicine, animal movement, intake and processing, and data entry in shelter-based software.
• Support volunteers and workforce partners, perform closing duties, and manage assigned animal housing areas.
• Provide enrichment, socialization, exercise, and support for individual animal behavior plans and community programs.
• Independently conduct behavioral evaluations, risk assessments, intake examinations, vaccinations, microchipping, and appropriate testing procedures at the relevant career level.
• Conduct health and behavior assessments, support pathway planning, and participate in advanced animal handling and behavior work.
• Conduct adoption consultations and owner-surrender questionnaires; track inventory needs and mentor new hires, volunteers, and workforce partners.
• At the most advanced level, contribute to population management and outcome recommendations for complex cases, behavior meetings, training materials, staff and volunteer mentorship, and process improvements.
• Conduct and implement individualized behavior evaluations and plans, provide behavioral support and resources to adopters and the public, and support animals with behavior needs in foster care.
• Maintain professional, respectful, collaborative communication; use objective and positive language about animal behavior and support positive reinforcement as HSSW’s sole training method.

Benefits

• Dental and vision insurance effective the first of the month following hire.
• Matching percentage 401(k) retirement plan.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 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.
• Employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer.
• PTO accrual of 1.6 hours for every 40 hours worked.
• Bereavement leave and pet bereavement leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed