Health & Wellness Technician

Forsyth County (NC); Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth County Animal Shelter is seeking a Health & Wellness Technician to perform daily kennel cleaning, animal care, and data entry using Microsoft Office and shelter software. The role includes assisting in rabies clinics, vaccinations, and euthanasia under supervision, in compliance with NC Animal Welfare Act and county policies.

The ideal candidate provides strong customer service, interacts professionally with staff and the public, maintains accurate records, and completes required

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• One year of experience with animals and customer service is preferred.
• Must obtain euthanasia technician and rabies vaccinator certifications within six months.
• Must complete rabies pre-exposure vaccination series provided by the county.

Responsibilities

• Perform intake exams as animals enter the shelter.
• Monitor animals daily for signs of medical or behavioral issues.
• Perform euthanasia as required.
• Ensure animals have proper food and water.
• Give appropriate vaccinations according to shelter medical protocol (once certified).
• Perform accurate computer data entry and record keeping.
• Participate in state inspections when required and in disaster training and response.
• Attend training classes to further knowledge and skill set.
• Work with Shelter Management to meet department goals.
• Follow cleaning protocols to keep kennels and workspaces clean and organized.
• Transfer animals in the computer system to welfare agencies that provide rescue services.

Skills

Animal care experience

Customer service

Data entry

Communication

Attention to detail

Animal handling

Computer skills

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Valid driver’s license

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Great opportunity to work in the Forsyth County Animal Shelter where you will be responsible for the daily cleaning of kennels and related work areas as well as the temporary care of shelter animals of all kinds. Additionally, this position involves computer data entry and record keeping into both Microsoft Office products and a specialized shelter related computer program in a timely and accurate manner. This position will assist in rabies clinics, including administering vaccinations, and euthanasia. Health & Wellness Technicians must professionally interact with both internal staff members, external agencies, and the general public on a daily basis, assist Shelter Management as necessary and adhere to the NC Animal Welfare Act and Forsyth County policies in regard to shelter operations.

An employee in this class would display excellent customer service skills. Must be able to professionally interact daily with co-workers and other county employees as well as Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Enforcement Division personnel and community agencies. This position requires strict attention to detail and part of the job will require data entry and both electronic and paper record keeping through an internal Records Management System and Microsoft Office products. This position must complete the rabies pre-exposure vaccination series at the expense of the County. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated through employee conferences and observation.

The position requires a 10-hour workday, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The scheduled workdays are Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge skills and abilities:

• Ability to work within the rules of the NC Animal Welfare Act and state and local laws related to the responsible care of animals.
• Knowledge of the proper care and treatment of animals, including safe handling procedures.
• Ability to maintain professional and effective working relationships with other employees.
• Ability to professionally interact with the public, ability to display tact and courtesy while providing quality customer service.
• Ability to communicate effectively both in person and by telephone.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to properly clean kennels and work areas.
• Ability to reasonably read an animal's temperament.
• Ability to handle animals professionally and responsibly without bias and exercising emotional intelligence.
• Ability to lift 20-50 lbs occasionally, 10-25lbs frequently or up to 10lbs constantly.

High school graduate or equivalent. Ability to read and write information relevant to performing the work and the ability to work with animals and people. One year of experience working with animals and one year of experience in customer service. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted. Veterinary Technician experience preferred. Valid drivers license required.

Special Requirements

Must obtain certification as a euthanasia technician required within six (6) months of employment.

Must obtain certification as a rabies vaccinator required within in six (6) months of employment..

Must complete rabies pre-exposure vaccination series (provided by the county). certification as a euthanasia technician (training paid by the county) and become certified as a rabies vaccinator.

• Perform intake exams as animals enter the shelter.
• Monitor animals daily for signs of medical or behavioral issues.
• Perform euthanasia as required.
• Ensure animals have proper food and water.
• Give appropriate vaccinations according to shelter medical protocol. under supervision of authorized individuals, to animals once certification is obtained.
• Perform accurate computer data entry, research and record keeping.
• Participate in North Carolina state inspections when required and in disaster training and response when needed.
• Attend training classes when necessary to further job knowledge and skill set.
• Work directly with Shelter Management to see that department goals are met or exceeded.
• Follow specific cleaning protocols ensuring kennels and workspaces are clean and always organized.
• Transfer animals in the computer system to animal welfare agencies that also provide rescue services. This may include physically moving aggressive and/or sick animals with a catchpole when necessary.
• Perform related work as required by supervision.