Kennel Care Technician

Reports to: Kennel Manager
Direct Reports: None
Non-exempt, full time or part time, hourly position.

Summary: Kennel Technician is responsible for the general health and wellness of all dogs and cats at the shelter, providing a friendly, informative presence for visitors, and upholding the values and mission of the shelter.

Animal care

• Conduct pre-cleaning walkthroughs to check for sick or injured animals
• Provide daily cleaning and care for animals, ensuring clean housing, fresh water, and appropriate bedding
• Follow established cleaning protocols for kennels, interior rooms, and cattery
• Maintain the cleanliness of grounds, play areas, and kennels, including regular waste removal
• Adhere to feeding schedules and protocols for all animals
• Assist with animal movement and placement under the direction of the Kennel Manager and Behavior Coordinators
• Assist with daily kennel enrichment activities to support animal well-being.
• Ensure housebroken and crate-rest dogs receive daily walks.
• Conduct end-of-day walkthroughs to check water levels, food availability, and animal well-being
• Respond to office calls and assist with other duties as needed

Customer Interactions

• Greet and assist visitors with a friendly, helpful demeanor, even in high-pressure situations
• Supervise meet-and-greet sessions and provide adoption counseling
• Represent the shelter’s values and mission in all interactions with the public and team members.

Adoption Counseling

• Encourage and empower foster and event volunteers to actively advocate for pets and take the initiative in seeking adoptive homes
• Embody an "open adoptions" approach by counseling with empathy and inclusivity, never judging potential adopters based on race, gender, or perceived social or financial status
• Train staff and volunteers to conduct adoptions using an open adoption approach, fostering a welcoming, transparent, and supportive environment for potential adopters
• Stay well-versed in all adoption policies and procedures to ensure consistent and informed guidance throughout the adoption process

Other Essential Duties

• Maintain shelter tools and equipment, ensuring they are clean and in good condition
• Report any broken tools or equipment to the Kennel Manager
• Monitor supply levels and notify the Kennel Manager of needed items
• Work with office staff to ensure kennel cards and signage are accurate and up to date
• Complete daily and weekly task checklists
• After completing kennel training, cross-train in other areas such as behavior, intake, and medical assistance.
• Support various departments as needed to enhance overall shelter operations.
• Continue learning and developing skills to provide well-rounded care for animals.

Southern Pines Expectations of Employee

Believes in the mission of the Southern Pines and understands the lifesaving relationship between all three branches of our organization

• Upholds the Southern Pines Culture Agreement at all times
• Treat animals with compassion, care, and respect—both on and off the job—and transmits these values to others
• Treats clients, volunteers, and fellow staff members with kindness, respect, and compassion
• Must be adaptable, innovative, and open to exploring new methods of communication to enhance effectiveness and engagement.
• Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload
• Willingness to mentor volunteers, to treat them with respect and gratitude as members of our team, and to correct them when necessary
• Must be able to report to work at the scheduled time, can be depended on to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 45 lbs, stand or sit for extended periods, and load and assemble equipment and supplies for events, including kennels, crates, tables, clothing racks, canopies, etc.
• Must be able to work outdoors in hot, cold, and/or inclement weather conditions
• Participates in meetings with other SPAS personnel and shares ideas to meet our lifesaving objectives
• Demonstrates a willingness and enthusiasm for a continued state of learning regarding Animal Welfare

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions or qualifications associated with the job. While this is intended to be a reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change, for example, emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, or technological breakdowns in departments.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From $11.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Work Days:

• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Hattiesburg, MS 39401 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Hattiesburg, MS 39401: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $11