Animal Care Technician

FOOTHILLS ANIMAL SHELTER•Golden, CO

1d•$19 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

Foothills Animal Shelter seeks an Animal Care Technician who finds purpose in the daily, hands-on work of caring for shelter animals and is ready to show up — reliably, independently, and with genuine dedication — for the animals who need it most. As an open admissions shelter, we are committed to being here for families and their pets in Jefferson County, Colorado. We identify as a socially conscious shelter, caring for over 9,000 dogs, cats, and small animals every year with a compassionate team of staff and volunteers who are committed to the physical and emotional wellbeing of every pet we serve.

Requirements

Prior experience in a physical work environment preferred
Prior experience in animal sheltering or similar professional animal care field preferred
Must obtain Fear Free Shelter certification within 60 days of employment
Knowledge of or the ability to learn general principles of animal care
Knowledge of or the ability to learn methods of kennel cleaning & maintenance
Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and complete all assigned duties within each shift without direct oversight
Ability to multi-task and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment
Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with proprietary information and sensitive situations
Ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of people and personality types
Ability to read, interpret, and consistently apply written standard operating procedures (SOPs) with minimal direction
Basic proficiency with computers; ability to learn and use cloud-based shelter management software for daily recordkeeping
Ability to maintain professional composure and emotional resilience when working with sick, injured, or at-risk animals
Ability to stand and walk for full shift on hard surfaces with no sedentary work
Ability to bend, twist, kneel, and squat frequently throughout the shift
Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds regularly throughout the shift
Ability to handle dogs of all sizes on leash, including dogs weighing over 100 pounds
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year-round including heat, cold, rain, and snow
Ability to push and pull loaded carts, kennels, and equipment regularly throughout the shift
Ability to perform repetitive physical tasks including scrubbing, mopping, and resetting kennels throughout the full shift
Ability to reach above shoulder height and below knee level frequently throughout the shift
Ability to work in confined spaces including animal kennels and housing areas
Ability to work safely on wet and slippery floor surfaces throughout the shift

Responsibilities

Clean, sanitize, and reset animal kennels and housing areas every day — this is the heart of the role, and you do it thoroughly, consistently, and with care.
Feed, water, and provide enrichment to the animals in your assigned areas, ensuring every animal has what they need to stay healthy and comfortable.
Provide hands-on daily care for dogs, cats, and any other animals in your assigned areas, following established procedures and reporting any health or behavioral concerns to your supervisor.
Serve as a positive, cooperative presence for the volunteers you work alongside, offering guidance and setting a good example.