Animal Care Associate

Summary:

Primarily responsible for providing routine animal care, maintaining clean and safe housing areas for the animals in care, facility cleaning, customer service and related duties.

Essential Duties and Functions:

• Follows established cleaning protocols to provide a high level of care to all shelter animals which includes daily feeding, watering and cleaning/sanitization of kennels, cages, and other enclosures.
• Participates in stress and disease reduction efforts through shelter enrichment, socialization, and compassionate handling of all animals in the shelter environment.
• Observes animal behavior, appearance, condition, and activity and monitors for indicators of illness, disease or discomfort.
• Assists with health monitoring and behavior evaluations.
• Operates laundry, cleaning, washing animal dishes and other equipment and assists in cleaning of general areas in the facility.
• Walks dogs and leads or participates in animal playgroups.
• Works cooperatively with all customers, employees, volunteers and vendors.
• Ensures a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines and models safe work practices.
• Assists customers with the pet adoption/foster process by facilitating customer/animal interactions to ensure a safe and pleasant experience, accurately answering questions and providing guidance.
• Maintains equipment in good working condition and reports needed repairs or replacements.
• Follows all VDACS animal facility regulations.
• Consistently handles all animals humanely.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment·

• Must have the ability to lift and transport materials weighing up to 60 pounds.
• Must have the ability to physically control large, strong dogs and gently handle newborn kittens.
• Must have a high level of manual dexterity sufficient to manipulate cleaning in tight spaces such as between narrow kennel wires and such manual dexterity sufficient as to manipulate connectors and latches.
• Must have a high level of visual acuity sufficient to discern minute details, such as accurately determining if a very small animal has eye discharge or other physical condition changes that must be reported and such visual acuity as to be able to assess whether there is imminent danger of an adverse interaction between two animals.
• Must have touch sensitivity sufficient to enable sensing differing conditions, such as wetness.
• Must have mobility sufficient to safely traverse various surfaces, including but not limited to, uneven, natural ground while also managing an animal, and mobility sufficient to be able to quickly move away from or alert others to danger.
• Must be able to remain effective despite sustained physical exertion throughout shift.
• Will be working both indoors and outside, exposed to current weather and temperature extremes.
• Will be exposed to almost constant dog barking, with volumes as high as 80 dB to 100 dB.
• Must have the ability to bend, squat, kneel, reach, reach above, and turn at the waist.
• Must have the ability to stand for significant periods of time.
• Will be exposed to, and work with, disinfectant solutions.
• Will be subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals.
• Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens.
• Must be able to read, write and communicate verbally in English sufficiently as to clearly articulate in emergency situations and to understand instructions and share information.
• Must be available to work weekends and holidays as deemed necessary.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Animal care experience preferred.
• Must be able to safely and compassionately handle and work with all cats and dogs, including those with medical or behavioral challenges many of whom may be under-socialized.
• Must be comfortable dealing with a wide array of animal behaviors and personalities.
• Must be highly motivated and detail oriented.
• Must demonstrate enthusiasm for the mission of CASPCA and for helping people and pets in the community.
• Goal oriented, committed to excellence and results.
• Must be friendly, non-judgmental, and measured even in difficult situations.
• Conveys compassion, patience, and understanding with all animals and humans at the shelter.
• Must be a team player and self-starter, able to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision, and display strong communication skills.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.60 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Rotating weekends

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19