Animal Care Technician

City of Lacey • Wa 98506, WA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Care Technician, reporting to the Animal Welfare & Field Services Manager, is responsible for performing preventative animal health care duties, assisting with a variety of shelter care duties, and providing oversight to shelter volunteers. This role presents a positive, enthusiastic, and professional image while representing Joint Animal Services. The position models and promotes a diverse and inclusive staff culture that is friendly, outgoing, collaborative, and free of judgment. First round interviews are tentatively scheduled for July 10, 2026, and second round interviews for July 15, 2026. This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification and may be used to fill additional open positions for the next six (6) months after all initial positions are filled.

Requirements

• H.S. Diploma or G.E.D. AND one (1) year of experience performing animal care related activities in a veterinary or shelter setting.
• College level course work in business administration, communications, biology, animal science or related field, may be substituted for the year of required experience so long as the candidate was able to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation and successfully complete reference checks.
• Must be certified in euthanasia procedures and in legend drugs or have the ability to obtain certification within one (1) year from date of hire.
• Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Must be attentive to job safety considerations and follows all required safety policies, procedures and techniques.
• Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
• Must possess a valid WA state driver’s license at time of hire OR must obtain within 30 days from date of hire, and must have a driving record acceptable to the City and the City’s insurance carrier.
• Knowledge of animal behavior, health and care.
• Knowledge of animal environment management and procedures.
• Knowledge of the use of software programs (word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, etc.).
• Knowledge of general office procedures.
• Skill in operation and use of computers.
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, co-workers, volunteers, and the general public.
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers.
• Ability to handle impounded animals safely and humanely.
• Ability to participate in the euthanasia of animals.
• Ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to physically perform manual labor.
• Ability to perform light maintenance and repair work.
• Ability to operate a variety of commercial equipment.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Feeds and waters animals in accordance with prescribed diets and instructions for the species.
• Prepares animal quarters in accordance with specified procedures.
• Cleans and/or sterilizes cages, runs, and surrounding premises including walls, floors, and food preparation areas.
• Performs preventive animal health care duties such as grooming, bathing, nail trimming, and inoculations treatment for internal and external parasites.
• Prepares animals for adoption by performing duties such as writing/creating animal profiles, implementation of microchip, and updating vaccinations or other medical items.
• Works with the Animal Care Manager to implement industry best practice programs that keep Animal Services as a leader within the animal welfare community, such as Standards of Care, Capacity for Care, Fear Free for Shelters, etc.
• Transfers animals from soiled to clean enclosures making sure to maintain individual animal identity.
• Operates commercial washer and dryer; sorts and distributes laundry, animal bedding, collars, etc.
• Observes animals for abnormalities and reports early manifestations of disease to the Animal Services Operations Manager.
• Maintains records related to feeding, care, animal identification, and ongoing medical treatments as needed.
• Maintains and rotates food supplies and tracks usage of supplies and report shortages to the Animal Services Operations Manager.
• Evaluates, sorts, and distributes any donated animal goods.
• Evaluates and communicates animal health and behavior issues to the public and to supervisory staff.
• Euthanizes or assists in euthanizing animals according to established procedures, including documentation required by the Drug Enforcement Administration and all record entries.
• Performs basic laboratory diagnostic tests such as feline leukemia, feline aids, and parvo virus, and records the results.
• Administers medications orally and/or topically.
• Oversees volunteers.
• Assists with transporting of animals to veterinary clinics, rescues, and other shelters.
• Provides support to fosters within our foster program, and provide behavior enrichment to animals in the care of the shelter.
• May run a variety of commercial equipment and perform basic kennel repair.
• Coordinates or assists with our rescue partner program.
• Cross trains in front desk duties including adoption, dispatching, processing reclaims, trap loans, answering phones, and interfacing with the public.
• Performs shelter, office, and outdoor clean-up when necessary (for example: general cleaning, pressure washing, lawn mowing, supply organization, etc.).
• Provides back-up to shelter staff as necessary.

What This Job Offers

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