Animal Care Technician - Full Time

Animal-Welfare-League-of-Alexandri; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is seeking an entry-level Animal Care Aide to support daily shelter operations. Responsibilities include cleaning, feeding, enrichment, and assisting in medical procedures and adoptions. Weekend availability is required, with possible shifts on Saturdays or Sundays.

The role emphasizes humane animal handling, data entry, and teamwork within AWLA’s Animal Care program. A background in shelter work and the ability to manage multiple tasks are valued.

Qualifications

• Fluent in English and able to communicate effectively with staff and the public.
• Physical ability to repeatedly lift up to 100 pounds and perform routine animal care tasks.
• Experience working in a busy shelter or kennel is a plus.
• Willingness to obtain euthanasia technician certification within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Clean animal areas and enclosures daily to maintain sanitary conditions.
• Feed, water, groom, and medicate animals while monitoring health.
• Assist with handling animals for medical procedures and show animals to adopters.
• Administer basic first aid and assist with assessments of animal health.
• Maintain accurate intake and shelter records in the database.
• Participate in staff meetings and animal care SOPs.

Skills

Fluent in English

Lift up to 100 pounds

Multi-tasking

Strong communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Chameleon database

Job description

DEPARTMENT: Animal Care

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

Do you love animals? Do you have a drive to ensure that all animals have the care and respect they deserve? If the answer is yes, then we have a dynamic entry level position that may be right for you. This position is responsible for the daily cleaning, feeding, and enrichment of the animals in our shelter. Additionally, this position is asked to assist in the handling of animals for medical procedures and to provide assistance in showing animals to potential adopters. This is a chance to make a real difference in the lives of animals and gain experience in humane animal handling and care. Weekend work will be required; Saturday or Sunday availability is required.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB INCLUDE:

Animal Care:

1. Ensure that all animal areas are clean, sanitary and comfortable
2. Clean animal enclosures every morning
3. Feed, water, groom, and medicate animals on a daily basis, while monitoring the physical condition and behavior of each animal
4. Provide affection and socialization to all animals on a regular basis, including walking dogs as needed
5. Examine and vaccinate animals entering the shelter
6. Accurately evaluate the medical status of an animal to determine whether it is stable and can remain in the shelter
7. Administer emergency first aid to sick or injured animals
8. Humanely euthanize animals when necessary
9. Participate in dog playgroups as needed
10. Assist in keeping the office areas where animals are housed neat and clean
11. Communicate regularly with supervisors and coworkers to ensure that they are aware of any issues pertinent to their areas of responsibility
12. Participate in staff meetings to share ideas and suggestions for improving animal care and the quality of the organization as a whole

Administrative:

1. Ensure that paperwork and records are maintained accurately and that database information is updated
2. Learn and use the descriptive identification used by AWLA, and develop a current working knowledge of all American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized breeds and other commonly seen dog breeds, as well as commonly seen cat breeds
3. Develop a basic working knowledge of the AWLA’s procedures, guidelines, and protocols for the safe handling of animals
4. Legal and statistical reporting procedures, and veterinary protocols
5. Federal and Commonwealth of Virginia substance regulations, and Commonwealth of Virginia and municipal animal regulations
6. Understand and comprehend AWLA’s Animal Care Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
7. Assist on an as needed basis with AWLA inventory and report necessary product orders
8. Perform intake exams of stray, injured and owner-relinquished animals
9. Accurately complete all animal intake paperwork
10. Maintain accurate animal intake information in database
11. Retrieve general voicemail messages and respond to calls and/or forward them to the appropriate department

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

1. 6 months of experience in working in an animal kennel environment.
2. High school diploma or equivalent
3. Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment
4. Ability to accurately perform basic mathematical calculation
5. Understanding of humane care and treatment of animals
6. Ability to obtain certification as a euthanasia technician within the first twelve months of employment
7. Valid Driver’s License
8. Fluent in English
9. Previous experience working in animals sheltering.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Indoors in a high noise, air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at shelter in various weather conditions, or on-location for various activities
2. Equipment use:

Includes use of PC, laser printer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, power washer, industrial dish washing machine, laundry machine, dryer, and cleaning supplies

1. Work hours:
2. Work hours will vary
3. Early morning, evening, weekend and holiday hours will be required

MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND COMMUNCATION DEMANDS:

1. Regular exposure to animals, cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal feces, bites, scratches
2. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds
3. The employee must frequently bend, grip and be flexible to do so
4. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus
5. Ability to work around pet dander, dust and other allergens without issue
6. Regularly required to stand and walk
7. Strong data entry skills and the ability to maintain accurate records in a database, currently Chameleon
8. Requires working alone or with minimal supervision - must be self-motivated
9. Requires patience and tact when working with difficult, emotional, or angry people
10. Must have the ability to effectively communicate; verbally and written, over the phone and intercom, with a wide variety of both internal and external individuals, including the Directors, Managers, Coordinators, the staff, a volunteer workforce, partner organizations, and private citizens
11. Requires treating people and animals in a pleasant, courteous and professional manner
12. Adherence to AWLA’s policies and philosophies
13. Must be willing to receive Rabies vaccine and/or titers test upon request

This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise, other than an “at-will” relationship.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.

Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.