Shelter Animal Care Technician Lead - Full-Time

Animal Humane Society; Golden Valley (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Nine paid holidays

Paid time off

Paid parent leave

401k with 4% company match

Job summary

Animal Humane Society is seeking a Shelter Animal Care Technician Lead to provide compassionate daily care for shelter animals and to support the Animal Care team in coordinating workflows and onboarding staff. This hands-on leadership role requires attention to detail and strong communication skills to ensure high-quality care.

You will train, guide, and collaborate with teammates across departments, participate in rounds and meetings, and help maintain records while upholding protocols and

Qualifications

• 1+ year of animal handling experience is required.
• Previous leadership experience preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable providing guidance, answering questions, and supporting the development of other team members.
• Basic computer proficiency, including familiarity with Microsoft products.
• Ability to remain adaptable as shelter needs and daily priorities change.
• Comfortable working with animals with varying behavioral and medical needs, including humane euthanasia when required.

Responsibilities

• Provide Compassionate Care, including feeding, housing sanitation, monitoring wellbeing, and safe handling of animals.
• Lead and support the Animal Care team, onboard new staff, coordinate daily workflows, and reinforce procedures.
• Support shelter operations, enrichment activities, and maintain animal records in PetPoint and related systems.

Skills

Animal handling

Leadership

Communication

Attention to detail

Computer skills

Education

No specific degree required

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Come work for Animal Humane Society as a Shelter Animal Care Technician Lead! In this hands-on leadership role, you'll help provide compassionate daily care to shelter animals while supporting the team members who make that care possible.

As an Animal Technician Lead, you'll serve as a go-to resource for the Animal Care team, helping coordinate daily workflows, train and onboard employees, reinforce protocols, and ensure animals receive consistent, high-quality care. If you're experienced in animal handling, enjoy helping others succeed, and aren't afraid to jump in wherever you're needed, we'd love to hear from you!

• Full-Time, 40 hours per week.
• Shifts will vary between the hours of 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Tuesdays through Fridays and 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturdays through Mondays.
• Regular, predictable attendance during operational hours is required.
• Schedule may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Participate in regular team meetings and one-on-one meetings with your supervisor.
• May occasionally work at another AHS location or attend off-site meetings and events based on organizational needs.

Job Duties

Provide Compassionate Care

• Prepare and distribute food and water according to individual dietary needs.
• Clean and sanitize animal housing, including kennels, litter boxes, cages, and surrounding animal areas.
• Monitor animals for changes in appearance, appetite, hydration, activity, behavior, and overall wellbeing.
• Safely handle and move animals with varying behavioral and medical needs using appropriate procedures and PPE.
• Recognize animal body language and use animal care cards and communication tools to support safe, consistent handling.
• Identify and promptly communicate animal health or behavioral concerns to the appropriate teams.
• Follow appropriate handling, quarantine, and PPE procedures when working with animals who may have transmissible illnesses.

Support and Lead the Team

• Serve as a subject matter resource and answer day-to-day questions from Animal Care team members.
• Assist with onboarding and training new employees.
• Help coordinate daily workflows, assignments, and changing priorities.
• Reinforce established procedures and protocols and elevate concerns when appropriate.
• Participate in quality-control "rounds", reviewing animal records and verifying animals' condition and location.
• Model positive, professional communication and collaboration across teams.

Support Shelter Operations

• Assist with enrichment activities that support animals' physical and behavioral wellbeing.
• Partner with Veterinary Services as needed, including assisting with fecal and urine collection.
• Assist with safe animal restraint for transportation, medical procedures, collection of animal waste, and humane euthanasia as required.
• Maintain clean and sanitary animal and non-animal areas using approved cleaning products and equipment.
• Collaborate with other departments and pitch in where needed to support shelter operations.
• Accurately maintain animal records in PetPoint and use AHS technology and communication systems.

Requirements

• 1+ year of animal handling experience is required.
• Previous leadership experience preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable providing guidance, answering questions, and supporting the development of other team members.
• Basic computer proficiency, including familiarity with Microsoft products.
• Ability to remain adaptable and professional as shelter needs and daily priorities change.
• Comfortable working with animals with a wide range of behavioral and medical needs, including participating in humane euthanasia when required.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

This is an active, hands-on shelter position. Team members should be comfortable:

• Standing and walking for prolonged periods.
• Lifting, carrying, and handling animals and other items weighing up to 50 pounds independently; assistance from another team member is required for weights above 50 pounds.
• Working in an environment that may be dirty, wet, humid, or noisy.
• Working around unpleasant odors, cleaning chemicals, barking, or other shelter-related conditions.
• Working around animals where scratches or bites may occur.
• Being exposed to zoonotic diseases and pests such as fleas and ticks.
• Working outdoors in varying weather conditions when needed.
• Having reliable transportation.

Benefits

About AHS

Every year, Animal Humane Society provides direct care and services to help thousands of animals in need across Minnesota.

As one of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, AHS is transforming the way shelters care for animals and engage their communities. From innovative medical and behavior programs to investments in outreach and advocacy, we’re advancing animal welfare and creating a more humane world for animals everywhere.

Why Work Here

• Make a difference in the lives of animals and people
• Join a team of coworkers who love animals as much as you do
• Work-life balance
• Unique animal adoption benefits and discounts on veterinary care and pet supplies
• Health insurance coverage for full-time staff includes the following: medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account for health care expenses and dependent care, voluntary accident insurance; critical illness insurance; hospital indemnity insurance; employee- paid supplemental life; employee-paid accidental death & dismemberment; and long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid benefits for full-time staff includes the following: basic life insurance, basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Support for student loans: we are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer
• Mental Health and Counseling Support: all employees have access to our Employee Assistance Program with 3 free counseling sessions per year
• 401k with 4% company match for part-time and full-time staff
• Nine paid holidays for full-time staff
• Paid floating holidays for part-time and full-time staff (up to 4 days per year based on start date)
• Paid Time Off for part-time and full-time staff (amount is based on hours worked and FTE status)
• Paid parent leave for full-time staff

Our Organizational Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

As an organization dedicated to making the world a more humane and compassionate place for animals, we know that people are at the heart of all that we do. Animal Humane Society’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is essential to our mission and shapes our culture, our work, and the services we provide.

At AHS we embrace and honor the inherent dignity and diverse experiences of our team members, volunteers, board members, partners, clients, and visitors, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, or income. Working together to instill equity and inclusivity within our organization will allow us to better serve the people and animals of Minnesota and ultimately have a positive impact on animals in our care.