Animal Care Associate

Seattle Humane; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full health & wellness coverage

Generous paid time off starting at three weeks

10 paid holidays

Employer matching retirement plan

Personal pet allowance

Employee sabbaticals

Discounts

Job summary

A local animal shelter seeks an Animal Care Associate to provide direct care for animals such as feeding and cleaning, while ensuring a healthy shelter environment. The role requires effective communication and teamwork skills, as well as a commitment to animal welfare. Successful candidates will thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy both animal and people interactions. Full health coverage, paid time off, and other perks are included in this full-time position.

Qualifications

• Experience working compassionately with people in high-stress situations preferred.
• Basic knowledge or experience with computers is required.
• Must have good communication skills.
• Must be able to write clearly and listen effectively.
• Basic knowledge or experience with computers is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct animal care including feeding, cleaning, and socialization.
• Maintain cleanliness of animal areas and restock supplies.
• Monitor animals for signs of stress and illness.
• Communicate concerns with supervisors promptly.
• Assist in project and group meetings related to animal care.
• Communicate concerns with a supervisor promptly.
• Offloads transfer animals.
• Support teammates in completion of duties.
• Provide basic grooming such as nail trims, baths, and brushing as needed.
• Work closely with volunteers to complete care duties.
• Actively participates in project and group meetings.
• Follow SOPs and processes; adhere to Five Freedoms.

Skills

Animal handling

Communication

Problem-solving

Customer service

Computer basics

Education

High school graduate or GED

Job description

Overview

This position is part of a union- represented bargaining unit. Union membership is mandatory as a condition of employment.

The Shelter Care Program is responsible for the direct animal care for all nine species of animal accepted for admission at Seattle Humane. This includes an astounding array of dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, rats, and mice. Each day the Shelter Care Team is responsible for feeding, cleaning, exercising, enriching, and medicating the animals in our care. In addition to the high level of care each animal receives, the Shelter Care Team also provides pathway planning for each animal’s journey. This starts from intake to outcome with an emphasis on minimize length of stay and meeting each pet’s individual needs. In order to accomplish these duties, Shelter Care is comprised of a team of compassionate and skilled staff and volunteers. While the work during the day can be challenging, the team supports a culture of leaving work at work when the scheduled day is over.

The Animal Care Associate (ACA) I position is responsible for providing direct care for the animals in the shelter building as well as supporting other shelter operations. ACA I is the entry position within the Animal Care Associates, with opportunities to advance to specialize within a species or as a trainer of staff and volunteers. A day in the life of an ACA includes cleaning, feeding, socializing, exercising, and medicating animals as directed. In addition, ACAs are also responsible for cleaning and the restocking of animal areas. ACAs are assigned a daily circuit of work to complete individually or with the help of volunteers. When ACAs have completed their assignments, they are expected to assist fellow teammates. Successful candidates for this position can work alone and with others, enjoy problem-solving, and thrive in a fast-paced environment where change is constant and communication is crucial. This position also requires applicants to appreciate working with both animals and people.

Key / Essential Functions

• Responsible for direct animal care of all pets in the shelter; this includes feeding, cleaning, socialization, enrichment, exercise, and medicating as instructed
• Responsible for keeping animal areas and supplies clean, tidy, and restocked
• Enters observations and notes into pet database
• Monitors the animals for input and output as well as signs of stress and illness
• Carries out animal movement plans
• Communicates concerns with a supervisor promptly
• Offloads transfer animals
• Supports teammates in completion of their duties
• Provides basic grooming such as nail trims, bathes, and brushing as needed
• Works closely with volunteers to complete care duties
• Actively participates in project and group meetings
• Follows all SOPs and processes
• Adheres to the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare
• Focuses on disease prevention and safe working practices

Secondary Functions

• Maintains appropriate files and records. Adheres to the files and records retention policy and procedures.
• Supports other staff teams as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Staff: No staff supervision

Communications

Daily communication with staff and volunteers across the organization in person, through email, written procedures, monitoring sheets, and/or through database.

Complexity

Animal Care Associates are flexible and respond to a variety of tasks while managing multiple priorities daily. A high degree of independent judgment is required. Formal policies and procedures are followed or developed as needed. Needs high level of attention to detail and must be able to respond to unexpected questions, comments or requests from volunteers and other staff. Must be able to maintain concentration on a task or series of tasks while dealing with frequent interruptions. Must be able to work well without direct supervision. Must be able to communicate effectively and display cultural competency with people of varying backgrounds. Requires good customer service skills. Must work well within a team setting.

Knowledge / Experience / Education or Training

• Animal handling experience preferred.
• Experience working compassionately with people in high-stress situations preferred.
• Must have good communication skills.
• Must be able to write clearly and listen effectively.
• Basic knowledge or experience with computers is required.

Licenses / Certificates Required

High school graduate or GED preferred.

Physical / Mental Requirements

• Must communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Must be willing to learn to administer medications.
• Requires the ability to solve problems and make clear decisions quickly.
• Must have good attention to detail.
• Must be able to concentrate and produce accurate work despite frequent interruptions.
• Must possess the ability to be sensitive to other opinions, perspectives or cultures.
• Must be able to offer excellent customer service (internal and external)
• Must exhibit initiative and motivation in performing all duties.
• Must have good senses of hearing, vision, and smell (to distinguish between various odors).
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time and must be able to walk quickly.
• Must have good dexterity and reflexes especially when restraining or moving an animal.
• Must be able to lift and carry at least 50 pounds with or without accommodation; crouch and bend at the waist and kneel; must be able to control dogs up to 200 pounds when on a leash.

Working Conditions

General office and animal shelter environment. When handling animals, there is a potential of animal bites, exposure to zoonotic diseases, animal dander and noise. Exposure to hay, as well as other potential allergens. Potential for working with upset or irate customers. Involves entering and leaving work areas alone before sunrise and after sunset.

Equipment Used

Personal computer and printer, applicable software, office supplies, multi-lined telephone, copier, safety boots, hearing protection, eye protection, respirators, gloves, animal leashes, clothes washer and dryer, broom, mop, hoses and nozzle, sprayers, scrapers, squeegees and animal dryers.

Work Hours

Full-time non-exempt position. 40 hours per week scheduled, four or five days a week. Schedule may vary depending on coverage by other department staff, holidays, or emergencies.

Seattle Humane Core Values

Candidate should be committed to Seattle Humane’s Core Values:

Compassion

Accessibility

Responsibility

Teamwork

The Benefits

At Seattle Humane, we believe in investing in our people, you'll receive competitive benefits and perks, including full health & wellness coverage, generous paid time off starting at three weeks, 10 paid holidays, an employer matching retirement plan, personal pet allowance, employee sabbaticals, discounts, and you get to work around cute animals!

Check out our LIST of benefits and perks HERE

Who we are

Seattle Humane is more than a shelter, we are a community resource center. We're meeting the increasing need for pet owner support services, so that families don't have to choose between an overdue bill and a beloved family member. We're training the next generation of veterinarians in our state-of-the-art medical center. We're building a community of animal advocates through our volunteer and youth education programs. The impact of Seattle Humane is life-changing, for the animals in our care and the people who love them. Our top priority is to connect animals in need of rescue with the people who will love them. Through our outreach, advocacy, and services, we strive to ensure that animal companionship is accessible to all.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

As an equal opportunity employer, Seattle Humane is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.