Animal Care Technician

Position Summary:

The main purpose of this position is to provide quality care for the animals, maintain the cleanliness of the shelter facility, and to serve the public in a professional, expedient, and courteous manner.

Schedule: Tuesday, 9am-5:30pm, Wednesday, 9am-5:30pm, and Saturday, 9:30am -6pm

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Do thorough daily cleaning, as assigned, each morning before kennel opens to the public
• Mix and use cleaning chemicals as directed to reduce disease transmission
• Maintain sanitary conditions, food and water supply for animals
• Scoop and mop dog run throughout the day, scoop cat litter boxes, maintain clean food/water bowls, clean up spilled food on floors, etc.
• Provide customer assistance and be available to answer questions from the public concerning animals in the facility animals to visitors if requested in get-acquainted room or outside if appropriate
• Maintain daily feeding/observation charts
• Introduce replenish supplies
• Provide all animals with enrichment
• Operate laundry and dishwashing equipment
• Observe animals, document and route health and behavior concerns to the appropriate department
• Check and maintain dog fun run areas (setting hose, cleaning, dumping or filling pools in summer, etc.)
• Be kind to the animals and show consideration in order to reduce animal stress
• Follow all safety guidelines, including PPEs to ensure a safe environment
• Assist other staff with their assignments
• Help train new staff and volunteers
• Perform other duties as assigned, which may include but are not limited to:
  • Assist in exam room if trained and approved
  • Perform euthanasia, if trained and certified
  • Perform dog and cat behavior assessments if trained and needed
  • Handle aggressive animals, work with Do Not Enter plans and report new behaviors immediately to managers/leads on duty when needed

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Interest in animal welfare
• Reliable and detailed oriented
• Demonstrated initiative and good judgment
• Basic animal handling experience with knowledge of canine and feline behavior
• Familiarity with animal restraint techniques and medical terminology
• Ability to handle animals of various sizes and activity levels safely, compassionately and effectively
• Excellent customer service skills, with ability to interact patiently and tactfully with a diverse customer base
• Experience in the use of positive reinforcement methods, including appropriate use of food and humane products
• Ability to accept decisions about animal placement into program or humane euthanasia
• Committed to and enthusiastic about the mission, programs and services of the Maryland SPCA
• New employees must show proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The MD SPCA will consider reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis, for exceptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds
• Standing and walking 8 or more hours per day with frequent bending, kneeling, stooping and reaching

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in a shelter setting
• Exposure to disinfecting solutions when cleaning, exposure to unpleasant odors and high noise levels when in kennel area
• Exposure to various weather conditions when working outdoors
• Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, sharp objects, hazardous chemicals, dangerous and fractious animals
• Technician is regularly exposed to animals, animal waste, high noise and potentially hazardous conditions, including the risk of animal bites