Animal Care Technician (Limited-term through January 1)

Richmond SPCA • Richmond, VA

18h • Onsite

About The Position

The Richmond SPCA is hiring a temporary Animal Care Technician to care for homeless dogs and cats, including animals who are sick or injured and receiving medical treatment. The position is scheduled for up to 20 hours per week from November 1, 2026, through January 1, 2027, and reports to the Animal Care Manager. Upon hire, the employee receives a checklist of essential skills and tasks to master during the assignment. Around January 1, 2027, management may offer a transition to a regular part-time role of up to 28 hours per week, depending on departmental needs and demonstrated performance. Otherwise, employment concludes on January 1, 2027.

The role supports animal health and wellbeing while preparing pets for adoption. It involves cleaning and maintaining animal housing, feeding and administering medications, walking and socializing animals, observing and reporting medical or behavioral concerns, and working with colleagues, volunteers, and shelter specialists. This is an essential personnel position; employees must report as scheduled during public emergencies, hazardous conditions, shelter closures, or inclement weather.

The work takes place in a rapid-paced team environment and involves exposure to animal waste, disinfectants, loud noises, potential animal bites and scratches, and zoonotic diseases. The Richmond SPCA is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be able to work in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
• Be comfortable handling or learning to handle dogs, cats, and small mammals, including fearful or fractious patients.
• Be available to work weekends, holidays, and some weekdays; Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day are required.
• Have reliable transportation, including during inclement weather.
• Be able to report to work when scheduled during public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions, shelter closures, or inclement weather.
• React productively to change.
• Demonstrate excellent attention to detail and an uncompromising commitment to animal wellbeing.
• Be punctual, work with a sense of urgency, and demonstrate a strong work ethic.
• Be resourceful and maintain a positive, get-it-done attitude.
• Have a team-oriented mindset and communicate effectively.
• Have good time-management and prioritization skills.
• Be able to work independently at times and multitask.
• Routinely lift 40–50 pounds and push or pull a large cart.
• Be able to bend, kneel, use arms repetitively, stoop, and use stairs.
• Be able to stand on your feet for an entire 8-hour shift and have the physical strength to perform cleaning duties effectively and efficiently.
• Be able to work around animals, including sick or injured animals and animals with challenging behaviors, as well as dog and cat dander, loud noises, cat litter, peanut butter, animal waste, and various chemicals.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working in an animal care environment.

Responsibilities

• Clean animal housing areas while following all protocols and procedures.
• Wash pet food and water containers.
• Scoop and clean cat litter boxes and spot-clean animal housing as needed throughout the day.
• Walk dogs and assist with behavior modification protocols when requested by trainers.
• Help with pet laundry and deliver fresh bedding to animal housing areas.
• Provide socialization, enrichment, and exercise as directed by management.
• Ensure assigned animals eat their food and consume their medications every day.
• Follow special feeding protocols for puppies, kittens, and animals with special needs.
• Communicate regularly with the Animal Care Manager, Assistant Manager, and Lead Animal Care Technicians.
• Report medical concerns and observations to veterinary staff.
• Report behavioral concerns and observations to shelter trainers.
• Work with volunteers and respond to their questions professionally.
• Notify appropriate personnel when animal care supplies are running low.
• Clean work areas and maintain the physical appearance of dog and cat areas.
• Empty garbage cans.
• Assist other department colleagues as needed.
• Perform daily side duties.
• Attend and participate in required trainings and meetings.
• Complete special cleaning projects and other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employees may use the low-cost, full-service Susan M. Markel Veterinary Hospital as clients.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
• Employees averaging 15 or more hours per week are eligible for voluntary, employee-paid accident insurance, hospital indemnity, and critical illness insurance.
• Employees averaging 20 or more hours per week can participate in the 401(k) retirement plan and access paid wellness leave.
• Full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and paid personal leave.
• The Richmond SPCA is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

What This Job Offers

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