Animal Care Associate - FT

Chittenden County; South Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

HSCC in Vermont seeks an Animal Care Associate to support the shelter operations by cleaning, feeding, medicating, and tracking animal health. The role requires compassion, reliability, and excellent communication skills, with weekend and holiday availability.

Responsibilities include handling animals, maintaining clean enclosures, assisting with adoptions, and collaborating with staff, volunteers, and trainers to ensure daily tasks are completed in a busy shelter environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a veterinary hospital, animal welfare organization, or animal care facility is helpful
• Ability to receive direction and guidance and work well under pressure in emotional situations
• Commitment to superior animal care and humane treatment of animals
• Excellent customer service, written, computer, and verbal communication skills
• Availability for weekend and holiday work

Responsibilities

• Safely handle a variety of domestic animals and provide comfort, monitor health and behavior, and ease stress
• Clean and disinfect animal enclosures, supplies, and maintain dog play yards
• Feed animals, administer medications, and maintain accurate tracking records
• Sort and fold laundry, operate commercial washers and dryers, and perform general facility cleaning
• Collaborate with other animal care associates, coordinators, volunteers, and managers to ensure daily tasks are completed
• Greet and assist volunteers, visitors, and adopters, ensure proper sign-in and provide information
• Provide adoption counseling and complete related database entries, adoption paperwork, and process payments accurately
• Educate visitors and callers about animal care, shelter programs, and services
• Accurately process and document donations, fees, sales, and maintain adoption materials
• Assist with adoption promotions, special events, and marketing materials
• Provide excellent customer service, promoting HSCC’s mission and creating a positive, non-judgemental atmosphere
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Teamwork

Reliability

Job description

JOB TITLE: Animal Care Associate

JOB STATUS: Full Time; Non-Exempt (40 hours/week)

Reports To: Shelter Operations Manager & Animal Care Supervisor

HSCC’s animal care staff play an essential role in the well-being of animals and ensure a positive experience for the public in the Adoption Center. Responsibilities include daily cleaning and disinfecting of spaces, feeding and medicating a variety of mammals, and tracking of animal behavior and health. Staff endeavor to create a safe, clean, and comfortable environment to help animals acclimate as they transition to new homes. This role requires compassionate, dependable individuals with excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to HSCC’s mission. Weekend and holiday availability are a requirement of the position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Safely handle a variety of domestic animals and provide comfort, monitor health and behavior, and ease stress
• Clean and disinfect animal enclosures, supplies, and maintain dog play yards
• Feed animals, administer medications, and maintain accurate tracking records
• Sort and fold laundry, operate commercial washers and dryers, and perform general facility cleaning
• Collaborate with other animal care associates, coordinators, volunteers, and managers to ensure daily tasks are completed
• Work with contracted dog trainers and the Canine Coordinator to implement learned skills in dog care and management
• Greet and assist volunteers, visitors, and adopters, ensure proper sign-in and provide information
• Provide adoption counseling and complete related database entries, adoption paperwork, and process payments accurately
• Educate visitors and callers about animal care, shelter programs, and services
• Accurately process and document donations, fees, sales, and maintain adoption materials
• Assist with adoption promotions, special events, and marketing materials
• Provide excellent customer service, promoting HSCC’s mission and creating a positive, non-judgemental atmosphere
• Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in a veterinary hospital, animal welfare organization, or animal care facility is helpful
• Ability to receive direction and guidance and work well under pressure in emotional situations
• Commitment to superior animal care and humane treatment of animals
• Excellent customer service, written, computer, and verbal communication skills
• Availability for weekend and holiday work
• Punctual and dependable with access to reliable transportation including during inclement weather
• Committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable team culture

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to bend, twist, and to lift at least 50lbs
• Ability to perform moderate to heavy physical labor
• Ability to handle animals, including large canines

WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT

• HSCC is a busy animal shelter environment with frequent noise and with the presence of animal dander and potential allergens
• Possible exposure to sick, under-socialized and/or reactive animals in addition to potential exposure to parasites and infectious disease
• Work with the canine population requires time outside and weather conditions will vary
• A variety of cleaning agents are used in the facility to ensure cleanliness and the safety of animal and staff, as such use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with safety protocols may be required