Pet Caretaker (Dog)

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates; Tennessee; On-site; USD 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars, Incorporated and its Affiliates is seeking a dedicated Animal Care Technician to manage the Pet Feeding Center operations, ensure pet safety, and collect data per study protocols. You will assist with health assessments, enrichment activities, and daily care tasks in a high-demand setting.

The role requires lifting up to 50 lbs, ability to work 10-hour shifts, four days a week, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 months of experience interacting with animals in a professional setting.
• Minimum high school diploma or GED.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Operate the care unit of the Pet Feeding Center to ensure pet safety and data collection.
• Record data per study protocols (consumption timing, amounts eaten, weights).
• Evaluate pet health and enrichment needs.
• Daily cleaning of pet housing per SOPs.
• Implement enrichment and exercise programs as directed by the scientist.
• Provide basic animal health tasks (grooming, nail trimming, weighing).
• Collect and evaluate feces data.

Skills

Animal facility operations

Computer skills

Communication skills

Animal health knowledge

Lifting 50 lbs

Evenings/weekends/holidays

Education

High school diploma or GED

BS/MS in biological science (preferred)

Job description

Job Description:

SHIFT:

The shift is 10 hours, 4 days a week from 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Weekends and holidays required.

Principal Accountabilities:

This position may include any of the following accountabilities:

• Execute the daily operations of the care unit of the Pet Feeding Center to ensure pet safety and well-being, efficient running of the facility and that quality data are gathered from the protocols and delivered to the business.
• Accurately record the requested data according to study protocols (i.e., consumption timing, amounts eaten, body weights, etc.)
• Evaluate pet health (both mental and physical) for any veterinary and/or enrichment needs.
• Daily cleaning of pet housing quarters (interior and exterior) in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Implementation of environmental enrichment programs as directed by the Pet Behavior Performance & Training Scientist.
• Implementation of exercise programs in accordance with standard operating procedure and/or veterinary recommendation.
• Provision of basic animal health tasks such as grooming, nail trimming, weighing, etc. to pets
• Collection and evaluation of feces quality

Critical Mars Leadership Competencies:

• Priority Setting
• Planning
• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Integrity & Trust
• Problem Solving
• Attention to Details

Key Functional Skills/Knowledge:

• Knowledge in animal facility operations
• Computer skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of animal health and management issues
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 6 Months of experience interacting with animals in a professional setting

• Minimum high school diploma or GED

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in an animal facility or veterinary hospital
• BS or MS in a biological science