Palatability Trial Execution Technician

ebi; Montgomery City (MO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

AFB International is seeking an animal care professional to provide compassionate care for dogs and cats under AWA guidelines. You will assist with kenneling, enrichment, feeding trials, and daily welfare checks, while maintaining clean enclosures and accurate records.

The role requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, follow safety rules, and work 40 hours weekly on a 6 a.m.–4 p.m. rotating schedule, including some weekend work. Background in animal care preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in food science or animal nutrition preferred but not required.
• Two or more years animal care experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care for all animals.
• Assist in kenneling and un-kenneling dogs safely.
• Recognize animal behaviors/aggression/anxiety and report as necessary.
• Keep primary animal enclosures sanitized, clean, orderly and odor-free.
• Ensure animals always have access to water.
• Exercise/socialize animals daily per programs in place for all animals.
• Document necessary animal information for management or veterinary staff.
• Complete daily assigned wing visual management charts and report necessary information at daily huddle.
• Obtain animal body weights in accordance with veterinarian guidelines.
• Take inventory of stock supplies as needed.
• Accept and unpack food shipments in accordance with set guidelines.
• Collect data by weighing back food trail and cleaning animal bowls according to set guidelines.
• Prepare food for feeding trials and for animals not on trials according to guidelines.
• Conduct food trials in accordance with guidelines.
• Periodic olfactory/natural enrichment to dogs and cats.
• Grooming dogs monthly, cats bi-monthly or as needed in accordance with guidelines.
• Set expectations in professional maturity, time management, and job responsibilities.
• Advise Supervisor of any unsafe conditions or infractions of safety rules.
• Abide by all PPE requirements and Safety Absolutes.

Skills

Safety awareness

Animal handling

Animal health assessment

Independence + teamwork

Instructions compliance

Legible writing/reading

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's in food science or animal nutrition (preferred) + 2+ years experience

Job description

Job Description

Provide care and maintenance for all animals by performing the following duties in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate care for all animals
• Periodic assistance in kenneling and un-kenneling dogs safely
• Recognize animal behaviors/aggression/anxiety and report as necessary
• Periodic assistance in keeping primary animal enclosures sanitized, clean, orderly and free of odors
• Ensure animals always have access to water
• Exercise/socialize animals daily and abide by exercise programs in place for all animals
• Document necessary animal information for management or veterinary staff
• Complete daily assigned wing visual management charts and report necessary information at daily huddle
• Obtain animal body weights in accordance with veterinarian guidelines
• Take inventory of stock supplies as needed
• Accept and unpack food shipments in accordance with set guidelines.
• Collecting data by weighing back food trail and cleaning animal bowls according to set guidelines.
• Preparation of food for feeding trials in accordance with guidelines
• Conducting food trials in accordance with guidelines
• Preparing food for animals not on feeding trials in accordance with guidelines
• Periodic assistance in providing olfactory/natural enrichment to dogs and cats
• Periodic assistance with grooming dogs monthly, cats bi-monthly or as needed in accordance with guidelines
• Set an example of expectations in professional maturity, time management, job responsibilities
• Advise Supervisor of any conditions that are unsafe including unrecognized hazards or infractions of safety rules
• Abide by all PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) requirements and Safety Absolutes

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Required: High School Diploma or equivalent
• Desired: Bachelor's degree in food science or animal nutrition preferred but not required. Two or more years animal care experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Schedule

40h work week from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a 4-week rotating schedule working 2 weekend each month

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work safely and follow all established Safety Absolutes
• Ability to treat animals with care and respect and feel comfortable socializing animals off leash
• Ability to assess animal health conditions
• Ability to work independently as well as be a team player
• Ability to follow instructions and respond to management direction
• Ability to write legibly and read documents

Physical Demands

Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly, including pet supplies, food bags, and animals.Standing and Walking: Extended periods of standing and walking on various surfaces, including indoors, outdoors, and uneven terrain.Bending, Stooping, and Kneeling: Frequent bending, stooping, and kneeling when cleaning kennels, interacting with animals at ground level, and performing maintenance tasks.Handling and Restraining Animals: Ability to safely handle, restrain, and control dogs of varying sizes, weights, and temperaments using appropriate equipment and techniques.Repetitive Motions: Frequent use of hands and arms for tasks such as leash handling, cleaning, feeding, and grooming.Sensory Requirements: Ability to hear bark, alarms or calls for assistance; ability to see clearly for monitoring animal behavior and safety hazards.Weather Exposure: Willingness to work in varying weather conditions when walking or exercising animals outdoors.Physical Stamina: Ability to perform job duties in a fast‑paced environment with occasional high levels of noise and activity.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered fo