Animal Shelter Technician

County of Kent; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay increases

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Kent County Animal Shelter is hiring a Part-Time Animal Shelter Technician to care for shelter animals, assist with adoptions, and maintain records. You will interact with the public and work in a fast-paced setting, ensuring health and well-being of animals and compliance with shelter protocols.

The role offers a consistent schedule with some weekends, competitive pay with regular increases, and paid vacation/holidays.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of experience in the care and feeding of animals.
• One year of successful clerical experience.
• Knowledge of animal handling and ability to safely handle varying sizes, temperaments, and behaviors.
• Ability to lift and carry animals and supplies up to 60 pounds.
• Basic computer literacy, including word-processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Bilingual ability preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for shelter animals, including feeding, watering, cleaning, and enrichment.
• Safely handle animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and behaviors.
• Conduct basic observations and limited examinations to monitor animal health and well-being.
• Respond to client questions and provide friendly, helpful customer service.
• Assist with adoption-related activities, paperwork, and other administrative tasks.
• Maintain accurate animal and client records using shelter databases and other computer applications.
• Communicate effectively with clients and the public from diverse backgrounds.
• Clean and sanitize kennels, cages, equipment, and surrounding areas.
• Follow established sanitation, animal-handling, safety, and shelter protocols.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Apply established practices and protocols consistently.
• Adapt to a dynamic environment where animal needs and priorities change.

Skills

Animal care

Customer service

Communication

Bilingual preference

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Database software

Job description

Join our team as a Part-Time Animal Shelter Technician at the Kent County Animal Shelter. You'll play an important role in keeping shelter animals healthy, comfortable, and ready to find their future families.

If you’re passionate about animal welfare, enjoy working with people, and are comfortable in a hands-on, fast-paced environment, we’d love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

Your day may include:

• Provide daily care for shelter animals, including feeding, watering, cleaning, and enrichment.
• Safely handle animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and behaviors.
• Conduct basic observations and limited examinations, to help monitor animal health and well-being.

• Respond to client questions and provide friendly, helpful customer service.
• Assist with adoption related activities, paperwork, and other administrative tasks.
• Maintain accurate animal and client records using shelter databases and other computer applications.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with clients and members of the public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

• Clean and sanitize kennels, cages, equipment, and surrounding areas.
• Follow established sanitation, animal-handling, safety, and shelter protocols.
• Help maintain a safe, healthy, and welcoming environment for animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors.

• Work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Apply established practices and protocols consistently.
• Adapt to a dynamic environment where animal needs and daily priorities can change quickly.

Schedule

Part-time::20 plus hours per week.

A set rotating two week schedule that includes some weekends and weekdays.

What We Offer

• Consistent schedule you can plan around.
• Competitive pay with opportunities for regular, structured pay increases.
• Paid vacation and holiday pay.
• Opportunities to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and people.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of experience in the care and feeding of animals. Care of personally owned animals at home does not meet the one-year minimum requirement.
• One year of successful clerical experience.
• Considerable knowledge of animal handling and the ability to safely handle animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and behaviors, including animals that may be fearful, stressed, or aggressive.
• Ability to lift and carry animals and supplies weighing up to approximately 60 pounds, including heavy or awkward loads.
• Basic computer literacy, including familiarity with word-processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to positively interact with customers from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Bilingual ability preferred.

Why Join Us?

Make a meaningful difference every day by helping animals receive the care, attention, and support they need while they wait for their forever homes.

You’ll join a team that valuescompassion, dedication, teamwork, and a commitment to the well-being of animals and our community.

Want to learn more about what makes Kent County a great place to work? Hear directly from our employees about why they’ve made Kent County their employer of choice.

*This position is referral bonus eligible*