Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. No calls or walk-ins, please.
Position: Animal Care Specialist
Job Status: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Animal Care Manager
Summary:
Primarily responsible for providing routine animal care, maintaining clean and safe housing areas for the animals in care, facility cleaning, customer service and related duties.
Essential Duties and Functions:
• Follows established cleaning protocols to provide a high level of care to all shelter animals which includes daily feeding, watering and cleaning/sanitization of enclosures.
• Participates in stress and disease reduction efforts through shelter enrichment, socialization, and compassionate handling of all animals in the shelter environment.
• Observes animal behavior, appearance, and activity and monitors for indicators of illness, disease or discomfort.
• Assists with health monitoring and behavior evaluations.
• Operates laundry, cleaning, dishwashing and other equipment and assists in cleaning of general areas in the facility.
• Works cooperatively with all customers, employees, volunteers and vendors, and counsels as needed to potential adopters.
• Ensures a safe work environment by following all safety guidelines and model safe work practices.
• Assists customers with the pet adoption process by facilitating customer/animal interactions to ensure a safe and pleasant experience, accurately answering questions and providing guidance.
• Maintains equipment in good working condition and reports needed repairs or replacements.
• Follows all VDACS animal facility regulations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
● Ability to lift and transport materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
● Ability to handle animals effectively and humanely.
● Have a high level of manual dexterity.
● Must be comfortable dealing with a wide array of animal behaviors and personalities.
● The ability to bend and squat.
● The ability to stand for significant periods of time.
● Exposure to disinfectant solutions.
● Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals.
● Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens.
● Must be available to work weekends and holidays as deemed necessary.
Qualifications:
• High school diploma or GED.
• Animal care experience preferred.
• Ability and willingness to work directly with all animals in care.
• Must be highly motivated and detail oriented.
• Exhibits a professional, positive, and upbeat manner.
• Conveys compassion, patience, and understanding with all animals in shelter care.
• Must be a team player and self-starter, able to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision, and display strong communication skills.
• Valid Virginia Driver’s License