Animal Care Technician

Summary: The Animal Care Technician plays an essential role within the Animal Welfare League of Arlington and works one-on-one with animals. The Animal Care Technician performs routine animal care, facility cleaning, customer service, updating and maintaining animal records, administering injections/medications, sterilizing equipment and performing and assisting euthanasia when necessary.

The is a part time position - with a focus on weekend closing shifts 2:00PM - 10:30PM (Saturday and Sunday) Hourly range of pay $17.50 - $21.00. 

Responsibilities include the following however other duties may be assigned:
ANIMAL CARE

• Provide appropriate quantity and quality of food and water to shelter animals daily; provide overall animal care including bathing and basic grooming
• Monitor animals and immediately report eating habits, health, behavior, or temperament issues to behavior staff and/or manager and director as appropriate
• Participate in stress and disease reduction efforts through purposeful and compassionate handling and placement of animals in shelter environment
• Give physical exams to incoming animals: check ears, check for fleas and ticks, and administer medications as necessary and according to intake procedures
• Medicate and feed animals in accordance with veterinary instructions
• Administer first aid to any injured animals as appropriate
• Update and maintain accurate animal records in the shelter computer database
• Perform euthanasia as necessary and dispose of remains

FACILITY CARE

• Follow established disease control protocols to extensively clean, disinfect, and maintain shelter kennels, cages, and all animal and general areas daily as assigned and instructed
• Operate laundry machine and dishwasher and other equipment
• Restock cleaning, feeding and other supply areas as needed
• Maintain equipment in good working condition and report need for repair or replacement

PEOPLE CARE

• Cultivate positive customer relations through professional, courteous, and educational interactions while actively promoting our mission, services, programs, and events
• Provide prompt, courteous and excellent customer service to all internal and external customers at all times. including but not limited to adopters, staff. volunteers, board members, city and county officials, animal control officers, veterinarians, representatives of rescue organizations, people looking for lost pets or relinquishing owned pets, fellow staff members and the general public
• Assist customers with the pet adoption process by facilitating customer/animal interactions to ensure a safe and pleasant experience, accurately answering question, and providing guidance
• Practice and encourage the humane treatment of animals
• Work cooperatively with all volunteers, recognizing the talent and commitment they bring to the organization
• Work collaboratively and cooperatively within the Animal Care Team and with all shelter staff

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate knowledge of and adherence to AWLA policies, procedures and code of conduct
• Ensure a safe work environment, follow safety guidelines and model safe work practices
• Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put you, a staff member, volunteer, customer, shelter animal or the organization at risk
• Follow direction of managers, directors, veterinary staff and CEO

Supervisory responsibilities: none, however this position may support the supervision of animal care volunteers as needed

Qualifications:
Education / Licenses / Certifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Availability to complete training and receive certification in euthanasia with six (6) months of employment
• Ability to receive pre-exposure rabies vaccination upon employment

Experience

• General knowledge of animal behavior and care
• Computer literacy including database experience; shelter specific database experience helpful but not required

Languages

• Fluent in English

Key Skills

• Ability and skill to successfully work with various types of animals and retiles in a safe, responsible manner
• Ability to set priorities, develop routines and manage large workloads
• Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful, sensitive or emergency situations
• Ability to remain flexible in an ever-changing environment and follow protocols as instructed
• Commitment to positive reinforcement handling and training methods
• Readiness to assume multiple duties and tasks
• Ability to work independently as well as with others in a wide variety of circumstances and with a diverse group of individuals
• Ability to work comfortably with and around animals following established procedures and protocols
• Excellent customer service, listening, and decision-making skills
• Strong communication skills and an ability to communicate in a polite and professional manner
• Capacity to work well under pressure and in a very fast-paced environment
• Ability to maintain discretion with confidential information

Requirements

• Available to work 2:00PM - 10:30PM consistently each weekend (Saturday and Sunday)
• Have a passion for the mission and a deep commitment to the goals of the organization
• Ability to receive pre-exposure rabies vaccination upon employment

Typical physical and mental demands
Working with animals involves frequent bending, reaching, stooping, kneeling and extended periods or walking or standing. You will need strong hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to operate common equipment like computers, telephones, photocopiers and other systems/tools used in daily tasks.

Be prepared for exposure to injured or deceased animals, disinfectant chemicals and fluctuating indoor and outdoor temperature. You may assist in restraining animals, including those that are distressed or aggressive and face potentially hazardous situations like bites or scratches.

Physical strength and dexterity are essential for managing animals on leash, often while performing other tasks such as opening doors. You should be able to lift and move heavy objects or animals (up to 50 lbs) and engage in active, physical work throughout the day.

Clear hearing and vision are necessary for effective communication with the public, volunteers, staff and animals. Flexibility and adaptability are also crucial to managing frequent interruptions and changes in routine. Comfort around a wide variety of animals - including dogs, cats, small companion animals, reptiles, amphibians, and wildlife - is key.

Additionally this role requires emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience to handle both the rewarding and challenging aspects of working with animals. Candidates must maintain composure, show compassion, and stay focused in a dynamic environment.

Vaccination requirement: Upon hire, employees will be required to receive rabies prophylaxis and tetanus vaccinations

Benefits: This position qualifies for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and we offer a salary bonus for proficiency in Arabic, Mandarin, Sign Language, Spanish or Vietnamese. Employees also receive free pet adoptions, free pet vaccines, and other pet related benefits.