Lead Pet Care Specialist

Paws & Claws of Morganton; Morganton (NC); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Paws & Claws of Morganton is seeking a full-time Lead Lodging Technician to oversee daily care, safety, and comfort of dogs in our lodging program. You will lead a team, ensure calm handling, and coordinate with managers and other departments.

The ideal candidate has professional dog-handling experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to stay organized and active throughout busy days, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• Experience working with dogs in professional settings (boarding, daycare, grooming, veterinary, shelter, or similar).
• Strong written and spoken communication skills.
• Able to work with dogs of varying sizes and temperaments.
• Follow detailed instructions and document care accurately.
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently as part of a team.
• Available to work weekends and holidays.
• Willing to cross-train in other departments.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe, attentive care for dogs staying in lodging.
• Monitor dogs for changes in behavior, health, appetite, elimination, or stress level.
• Follow feeding, medication, cleaning, and care instructions accurately.
• Maintain clean, sanitary, and organized lodging areas.
• Communicate clearly with managers, coworkers, and other departments.
• Document pet care notes, concerns, incidents, and updates as needed.
• Help support and coach lodging team members during daily tasks.
• Assist with arrival and departure routines for lodging guests.
• Handle dogs safely using professional animal-handling practices.
• Support a positive, calm, and team-oriented work environment.
• Cross-train in other departments as needed, such as daycare, grooming support, front desk support, or general animal care.
• Work weekends and holidays as part of the regular schedule.

Skills

Dog handling experience

Written communication

Team leadership

Punctuality

Job description

Full-Time Lead Lodging Technician

Paws & Claws of Morganton is looking for a dependable, experienced, and team-focused Full-Time Lead Lodging Technician to help oversee the daily care, safety, and comfort of the dogs staying in our lodging program.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys working with dogs, communicates well with both teammates and pet parents, and can help keep our lodging department running smoothly during busy days, weekends, and holidays.

Position Summary

The Lead Lodging Technician supports the daily operation of our lodging area by providing excellent animal care, helping guide team members, monitoring dog behavior and wellbeing, maintaining clean and safe spaces, and communicating clearly with managers and other departments.

The ideal candidate has previous professional dog-handling experience, strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to stay calm, organized, and physically active throughout the day.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide safe, attentive care for dogs staying in lodging
• Monitor dogs for changes in behavior, health, appetite, elimination, or stress level
• Follow feeding, medication, cleaning, and care instructions accurately
• Maintain clean, sanitary, and organized lodging areas
• Communicate clearly with managers, coworkers, and other departments
• Document pet care notes, concerns, incidents, and updates as needed
• Help support and coach lodging team members during daily tasks
• Assist with arrival and departure routines for lodging guests
• Handle dogs safely using professional animal-handling practices
• Support a positive, calm, and team-oriented work environment
• Cross-train in other departments as needed, such as daycare, grooming support, front desk support, or general animal care
• Work weekends and holidays as part of the regular schedule

Required Qualifications

• Experience working with dogs in a professional setting, such as boarding, daycare, grooming, veterinary, shelter, training, or similar environment
• Strong written and spoken communication skills
• Comfortable working with dogs of different sizes, breeds, temperaments, and energy levels
• Able to follow detailed instructions and complete accurate documentation
• Dependable, punctual, and able to work independently
• Able to work as part of a team and support coworkers in a busy environment
• Willing and able to cross-train in other departments
• Available to work weekends and holidays

Physical Requirements

This is an active, hands-on position. Candidates must be able to:

• Stand, walk, bend, squat, kneel, and move for extended periods
• Safely handle dogs of varying sizes and strengths
• Lift and carry supplies, food, bedding, and equipment as needed
• Work in an environment with barking dogs, cleaning products, pet hair, and outdoor weather conditions
• Perform cleaning tasks, including mopping, disinfecting, laundry, and kennel sanitation

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous leadership, shift lead, or supervisory experience
• Experience with dog body language and safe group or individual dog handling
• Experience administering medications or following special care instructions
• Comfort using software, tablets, or written logs for pet care documentation

Schedule

This is a full-time position. Weekend and holiday availability is required, as those are key care days for lodging guests.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who takes pride in excellent pet care, pays attention to details, communicates concerns early, and helps create a safe and positive experience for both pets and people. The right person will be steady, observant, compassionate, and willing to jump in wherever the team needs support.