Animal Care & Transport Specialist

Humane Society for Southwest Washington; Longview (WA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is seeking an Animal Care & Transport Specialist to join our team in Vancouver/Longview, WA. This full-time, nonexempt role combines daily animal care with safe, reliable transportation among HSSW locations, partners, and adoption events.

The position requires compassion, sound judgment, and strong communication as it supports hands-on care, sanitation, and precise documentation while coordinating schedules and ensuring animal welfare across programs.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated compassion and professionalism when working with animals, staff, volunteers, partners, and the public.
• Proficient in safe animal handling and applying welfare principles.
• Good judgment in recognizing and responding to animal behavior and welfare concerns.
• Strong focus on sanitation, disease prevention, and workplace safety practices.
• Excellent verbal communication with team members and the public.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily husbandry for shelter animals, including feeding, watering, health monitoring and cleaning.
• Safely transport live animals among locations, partners, and events.
• Perform required pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections and maintenance reporting.
• Accurately complete transportation, transfer, and animal records and documentation.
• Follow policies, safety procedures, and confidentiality requirements in all interactions.

Skills

Compassion

Safe animal handling

Sound judgment

Sanitation & safety

Strong verbal communication

Job description

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Animal Care & Transport Specialist to join our team. This is a full-time, FLSA nonexempt opportunity.

Since 1897, HSSW has been the leader in animal welfare across Southwest Washington. With an annual operating budget of $15 million, we are the largest and most innovative animal welfare organization in the region. Our shelter campuses in Vancouver and Longview, WA serve more than 10,000 animals each year, providing high-quality care, medical services, and the compassion they deserve.

Our community-based approach helps keep pets and people together. Through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic, the Sandra Richardson Miller Mobile Veterinary Clinic, the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, and programs like free pet food and other essential resources, we serve more than 18,000 owned animals annually expanding access to affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, training, and support.

We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store, a top shopping destination named Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, providing vital funding for our mission.

At HSSW, you’ll find an innovative, high-energy culture where your passion for animals and people can make a real difference. We’re looking for team members who want to be part of something bigger: supporting pets, strengthening families, and shaping the future of animal welfare in Southwest Washington. HSSW has been honored as Best Non-Profit for two years running—a recognition of our impact and leadership in the community.

Animal Care & Transport Specialist

The Animal Care & Transport Specialist provides hands‑on care for animals while supporting safe, reliable, and timely transportation among Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) locations, veterinary partners, foster homes, adoption events, and other approved destinations. The role combines daily husbandry, sanitation, safe handling, vehicle readiness, and accurate documentation. Depending on operational needs, approximately 50‑70% of the schedule is spent in Animal Care and 30‑50% on transportation and related logistics.

As a representative of HSSW, this position works closely with shelter and veterinary staff, volunteers, community partners, and members of the public. Success in the role requires compassion, sound judgment, attention to detail, physical stamina, adaptability, and clear communication. The role requires consistent adherence to HSSW standards and procedures for animal welfare, disease prevention, workplace safety, and safe animal transportation.

Key Responsibilities

Animal Care

• Provide daily husbandry for shelter animals, including feeding, watering, health and behavior monitoring, and cleaning of animal areas.
• Clean and disinfect kennels, crates, equipment, supplies, laundry, and associated public areas in accordance with sanitation and disease‑prevention protocols.
• Restock animal care areas and maintain clean, orderly, and safe spaces throughout the day.
• Safely handle and move animals of varying sizes, species, temperaments, and physical conditions using approved techniques and equipment.
• Observe animals for medical, behavioral, or welfare concerns and promptly communicate concerns to the appropriate team members.
• Follow safety procedures and take immediate action to correct or report hazards or unsafe practices that could place a person, animal, or the organization at risk.

Animal Transportation

• Safely transport live animals among HSSW locations, veterinary partners, foster homes, adoption events, and other approved destinations using company vehicles.
• Coordinate scheduled and urgent transportation with Operations leadership, confirming routes, timing, destination requirements, and needed documentation.
• Select and use appropriate carriers, restraints, and other equipment; safely load, secure, transport, and unload animals.
• Monitor animals during transportation and respond appropriately to behavioral, medical, environmental, or welfare concerns.
• Provide approved care during transport, including appropriate containment and access to food, water, or other necessary support.
• Verify animal identification and transportation documentation before departure and upon arrival.
• Support transportation needs for animal transfers, veterinary appointments, foster placements, adoption events, off‑site programs, and other HSSW activities.

Motor Vehicle Operations & Logistics

• Complete required pre‑trip and post‑trip vehicle inspections and promptly report maintenance, damage, or safety concerns.
• Keep vehicles clean, sanitary, fueled, stocked, and ready for safe operation.
• Ensure transportation equipment and supplies are available, appropriate for the animals being moved, and in good working condition.
• Follow established routing, scheduling, incident‑reporting, and vehicle safety procedures.
• Safely operate vehicles, animal transport equipment and tools.

Records, Communication & Compliance

• Complete transportation, transfer, chain‑of‑custody, scheduling, and animal records accurately and on time.
• Enter required information into applicable systems and maintain clear, organized documentation.
• Communicate transportation updates, delays, concerns, incidents, and changes promptly to appropriate staff and leadership.
• Follow HSSW policies and procedures and applicable transportation, workplace safety, and animal welfare requirements.
• Protect confidential organizational and animal‑related information and maintain professional conduct in all interactions.
• Perform other duties that support animal care, transportation, and HSSW operations as assigned.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Demonstrated compassion, emotional intelligence, and professionalism when working with animals, staff, volunteers, veterinary partners, and members of the public.
• Demonstrated proficiency in safe animal handling and consistent application of animal welfare principles.
• Sound judgment in recognizing and responding appropriately to animal behavior, medical, and welfare concerns.
• Consistent application of sanitation, disease‑prevention, and workplace safety practices.
• Strong verbal