Animal Care Technician

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking Animal Care Technicians to join our team. These opportunities may be full-time or part-time and are classified as FLSA non-exempt.

Since 1897, HSSW has been the leader in animal welfare across Southwest Washington. With an annual operating budget of $15 million, we are the largest and most innovative animal welfare organization in the region. Our shelter campuses in Vancouver and Longview, WA serve more than 10,000 animals each year, providing high-quality care, medical services, and the compassion they deserve.

Our community-based approach helps keep pets and people together. Through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic, the Sandra Richardson Miller Mobile Veterinary Clinic, the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, and programs like free pet food and other essential resources, we serve more than 18,000 owned animals annually expanding access to affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, training, and support.

We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store, a top shopping destination named Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, providing vital funding for our mission.

At HSSW, you’ll find an innovative, high-energy culture where your passion for animals and people can make a real difference. We’re looking for team members who want to be part of something bigger: supporting pets, strengthening families, and shaping the future of animal welfare in Southwest Washington. HSSW has been honored as Best Non-Profit for two years running—a recognition of our impact and leadership in the community.

Animal Care Technician (ACT Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4)

The Animal Care Technicians are the primary caretakers of the animals in shelter, responsible for their daily husbandry, health monitoring and preventative care. Animal Care staff provide high-quality experiences for the animals, and the people who come through our facility. The ACT position is designed with a career path of three distinct levels with escalating skill sets and responsibilities. All three levels take accountability for animal care, patron interactions, and facility cleanliness. The Animal Care Technicians report to the Animal Care supervisor and work collaboratively with all shelter departments in addition to regularly engaging with volunteers and workforce partners.

Animal Care Technician (ACT) Essential Duties

ACT-1 - Basic entry-level duties and responsibilities…

• Provide daily husbandry to all animals in shelter including feeding, health monitoring and cleaning of all animal areas.
• Perform daily cleaning of designated areas including but not limited to kennels, crates, supplies, laundry and associated public areas.
• Follow disease control protocol to ensure a safe, healthy environment.
• Follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment for staff and living environments for all animals.
• Take immediate action to address any safety concerns or noncompliance of safety rules that could put an employee, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.
• Stock areas and maintain cleanliness of kennels and public areas throughout the day.
• Keep supervisor informed of animal behavior or health concerns.
• Perform other duties as related to above tasks.

ACT-2 – In addition to all ACT 1 duties…

• Public interaction & customer service including adoption socials and leading lost animal walk throughs.
• Assist with preventative medicine as directed by team leadership.
• Assist with moving animals throughout the facility.
• Data entry into shelter-based software
• Support and assist Animal Care volunteers.
• Perform closing duties as they pertain to designated areas.
• Cat Team specific:
• Daily management of Cattery areas
• Support preparation for offsite cat programs
• Dog Team specific:
• Participate in dog-to-dog socials.
• Support daily walks per outlined protocols.
• Small Animal Team specific:
• Small animal intake and processing
• Support Small Animal behavior plans.

ACT 3 – In addition to all ACT 1 & 2 duties…

• Must be fully trained & willing to work on both Dog Team, Cat Team & with small animals as needed.
• Independent decision maker in accordance with all procedures and protocols
• Independently performs animal behavioral evaluations or risk assessments.
• Performs intake examinations, vaccinations, microchips, and appropriate testing procedures.
• Provide positive mentorship for new hires, volunteers & workforce partners.
• Cross training in areas relating to the daily care of animals: all Animal Care teams & Clinic.

Cat Team specific:

Daily Cat Exam duties including but not limited to assessments, supporting pathway planning, and conducting behavior modification plans as directed by team leadership.

Participate in advanced feline handling and behavior.

Support tracking inventory needs as it relates to Cat Exam

Dog Team specific:

Participate in dog-to-dog assessments for shelter population.

Conduct dog consultations with potential adopters.

Participate in advanced canine handling and behavior.

Support behavior modification and management plans

Conduct Owner Surrender Questionnaires

Small Animal Team specific:

Set and support Small Animal behavior plans.

ACT 4 – In addition to all ACT 1, 2 & 3 duties…

• Provide support in advanced population management, including making recommendations for outcomes on complex or nuanced cases.
• Participate in and contribute to weekly behavior meetings, including sharing observations and collaborating on behavior-related plans and decisions.
• Escalate relevant population or behavior information to Animal Care Leadership/Behavior Team for further monitoring and discussion.
• Assist in developing, maintaining, and updating team training materials in collaboration with leadership, ensuring alignment with current best practices.
• Support Team Leadership with training and mentorship to staff and volunteers.
• Conduct behavior evaluations, implement individualized behavior plans, and direct behavioral support to animals in the shelter.
• Provide individualized behavior support and resources to adopters and the public, including coaching around common post-adoption challenges.
• Contribute to process improvements related to behavioral programming and population flow, collaborating cross-departmentally where appropriate.
• Support the behavior population in foster care.

General Expectations

• Follow safety guidelines to ensure a safe work environment.
• Good verbal and written communications skills.
• Is visible to staff, volunteers, and workforce partners; communicates with supervisor and directors on developments within the department.
• Promote positive communication and cooperation between HSSW (Humane Society for Southwest Washington) departments.
• Exercise good judgment when working with the public, volunteers, workforce partners and staff.
• Committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team.
• Adheres to organizational policies and procedures.
• Acts as a positive role model for other employees.
• Maintains a positive and respectful attitude always representing HSSW in a professional and courteous manner.
• Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management with ability to prioritize workload.
• Consistently reports to work on time prepared to perform duties of position.
• Meets department productivity standards.
• Use of objective and positive language as it related to animal behavior.
• Supports positive reinforcement as a sole training method used by HSSW.

Compensation

The hourly pay for this position ranges from $17.16 to $20.85 per hour. Starting wage is dependent upon experience.

Employee Benefits and Perks
In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose, eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and a variety of employee perks.

Benefits include:

• Health insurance effective the first of the month following hire (full-time employees).
• Dental and vision insurance effective the first of the month following hire.
• Matching percentage 401(k) retirement plan beginning the first month after hire, with a 3-year graded vesting schedule and ROTH contribution option.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to all employees and household members.
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses.
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance.
• Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation.

Paid Time Off (PTO)

This position accrues PTO at a rate of 1.6 hours for every 40 hours worked.

• Additional Paid time includes:
• Floating Holidays (full-time employees).
• Bereavement leave.
• Pet bereavement leave.

Culture

Vision: A community where everyone loves and cares for animals.

Mission: Rescue. Return. Restore. Rehome. Reconnect. One animal at a time

Values: Compassion. Collaboration. Excellence. Service. Integrity.

The ultimate team player:

• Displays interest, enthusiasm, and an affinity for working with people.
• Demonstrates an attitude in being of-service, using good judgment, maintaining a positive outlook, and ideally, a sense of humor.
• Works well in teams and demonstrates an attitude and commitment to collaboration with a sincere interest in helping others succeed.
• Is committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team.
• Exhibits adaptability, curiosity, flexibility to change, open to new ideas, and encourages others to recognize changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as an opportunity for transformation.
• Is committed to personal and professional development through life-long learning.

How to Apply

Does HSSW sound like the right place for you?

Does this job sound like a great fit & do you meet the qualifications for this position?

If so, then click the Apply button to begin your journey to join our team today. HSSW participates in E-Verify.

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations during the hiring process for qualified applicants with disabilities.

For more information visit https://HSSW.org/careers/.

Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Requirements

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to read, understand, comprehend, and follow instructions & SOP’s.
• Ability to become certified in safe animal handling within 90 days of employment.
• Ability to complete Fear Free Sheltering certification within 90 days of employment.
• Able to work safely with animals, disinfectants & cleaning supplies.
• Able to perform physical work: scrubbing, mopping, bending, lifting, walking, and standing for up to 10 hours a day with appropriate breaks.
• Able to lift fifty pounds with assistance.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to use a computer, working with Microsoft products.
• Ability to retain knowledge of animal breed, behavior, and handling.
• Knowledge of animal health, ability to identify ill health.
• Sincere interest in the mission of the HSSW

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• The position requires you to be comfortable speaking with members of the public.
• Work duties and tasks may require walking, standing, sitting, stooping, squatting, bending, speaking, seeing, listening, utilizing arms, hands & fingers for grasping, lifting, operating computers, answering telephone, and in working with and/or around animals.
• Position may call for repetitive use of hands to perform tasks in addition to operating tools, computers, telephone, cell phone, and computer keyboard.
• Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Additional physical requirements may include occasional lifting of up to fifty pounds with assistance.
• This position typically requires work on weekends.

Primary workplace is at an animal shelter that operates 7 days per week, with exposure to environmental conditions that include working with and near animals and with potential exposure to fractious animals; high noise levels; zoonotic diseases; animal bites and scratches; cleaning chemicals and allergens. Potential exposure of infectious diseases to owned animals. Employees will be working up to 10 hours per day with appropriate breaks and lunch.