Kennel Technician

Animal Friends Humane Society•Fairfield Township, OH

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kennel Technician provides consistent, attentive care to shelter animals, supporting their mental and physical health while maintaining a safe, clean, and sanitary environment. The role represents Animal Friends Humane Society (AFHS) professionally and supports the organization’s mission to promote humane principles and protect animals in the community. This hourly, non-exempt position is scheduled for 0–40 hours per week depending on the employee’s availability and the organization’s needs. All positions include weekend shifts and occasional evenings. The Kennel Technician reports to the Animal Care Supervisor and Team Lead. Performance evaluations are conducted after the first three months, after the first twelve months, and annually thereafter.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Experience with cats and dogs.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Pleasant and professional appearance.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with the public, volunteers, and staff.
Ability to handle multiple tasks at once.
Comfort interacting with dogs and cats, including animals who may be under-socialized or large.
Skill in safe animal handling and basic knowledge of animal behavior and health.
Compliance with AFHS employee-owned animal policies.
Enthusiasm for AFHS’s mission and helping animals in the community.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to stand for up to 8–10 hours.
Ability to handle and restrain animals weighing up to 150 pounds.
Ability to lift 50 pounds to waist height.
Ability to perform frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, stooping, carrying, and reaching.
No allergies or physical inabilities that would prevent caring for cats.
Ability to kneel on the floor, bend at the waist, reach forward, rotate the upper body, raise and lower guillotine doors, move hoses, lift bags of food and litter, use hand tools, and walk on paved and unpaved surfaces that may be wet or dry.

Nice To Haves

Previous animal handling experience is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Clean and sanitize animal holding cages, dens, crates, and traps daily while following disease-control protocols.
Feed, water, and administer oral and/or topical medication to shelter animals.
Monitor animals’ physical health, mental well-being, and behavior, and report concerns to the appropriate departments.
Use low-stress handling and positive reinforcement training.
Perform blood and fecal tests, microchipping, vaccinations, and general wellness procedures.
Accurately document medical findings, vaccinations, tests, and treatments in Petpoint.
Maintain inventory of food, cleaning, and other supplies and notify management when items need replenishing.
Counsel potential adopters about dogs and puppies they may be interested in adopting.
Help facilitate interactions between members of the public’s dogs and potential adoption matches.
Treat animals, customers, coworkers, and volunteers with compassion.
Store donated items in an orderly manner in appropriate areas.
Ensure animals are properly tagged and location inventory is accurate.
Follow established safety procedures and protocols.
Provide mental and behavioral enrichment to shelter animals.
Conduct initial behavior assessments and consult Dog & Cat Care Coordinators as needed.
Restock kennel and cleaning supplies in appropriate areas.
Spot-clean animal areas throughout the day.
Wash, fold, and put away laundry throughout the day.
Prepare clean mop buckets.
Wash and disinfect water bowls, food puzzles, and toys daily.
Perform duties outside normal responsibilities as needed, including facilitating daily play groups with 3–8 dogs, running dogs on the slat mill, preparing animals with special requirements for adoption using a waiver, socializing fearful or timid animals, and working through behavior plans with challenging dogs or cats.