Animal Care Technician

Animal Care Technician

The Animal Shelter is seeking an Animal Care Technician that is highly motivated, caring, and outgoing individual with a professional demeanor to perform a variety of duties involved in maintaining the cleanliness of animal housing areas, providing care for the Shelter animals, and working with the public to support adoptions and other shelter services.

Examples of duties for success include:

• Represent Riverdale Animal Shelter in a professional and courteous manner at all times.
• Assist with humane handling, restraint, and movement of animals within the shelter.
• Provide food and water to shelter animals daily.
• Maintain and clean kennels.
• Adhere to effective disease control practices.
• Perform Animal intake, including vaccinations, de-worming, taking pictures and accurately recording information into the animal shelter operating system (Chameleon).
• Inform patrons of adoption policies and animal availability.
• Perform reception/front office duties and responsibilities on a rotating basis.
• Administer medication to animals, both orally and/or topically.
• Perform laundry duties.
• Train and work with volunteers in a cooperative manner.
• Support Adams County Norms and Values and treat all people and animals with dignity and respect.
• Report health and behavior abnormalities to the health care and behavior team.
• Assist in the adoption, to include showing animals for adoption and providing information and education about shelter animals.
• Assist with reclaiming of lost animals.
• Participate in animal enrichment efforts and stress reduction efforts through purposeful handling of animals.
• Perform humane euthanasia on a rotating basis.
• Perform special projects as assigned.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications for success include:

• Commitment to the humane treatment of animals.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn general principles of animal care.
• Knowledge and ability to learn safe and humane animal handling techniques.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn methods and procedures of kennel cleaning and maintenance.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn syringe use, incinerators, and other tools for inoculation.
• Operate cleaning equipment and other tools used in maintenance of kennel.
• Knowledge of or the ability to impound, inoculate, and humanely euthanize animals.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work in both independently and in a team environment.
• Read, write, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Computer skills: Basic computer skills. Knowledge of Chameleon operating system preferred.

More qualifications for success include:

• Experience: Previous animal handling experience of at least six months. Demonstrated customer service and organizational skills. Preference for individuals who have a working knowledge of animal welfare and related issues.
• Education and Training: High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Preferences: Candidate with Veterinary Assistant or Veterinary Technician training and/or Dog Training experience.
• License or Certificate: Must be certified in Humane Euthanasia within nine months of starting date. Must complete fear-free animal handling certificate within three months of start date. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Colorado driver's license.
• Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.
• Other: Must be able to treat animals humanely and with respect. Allergies to animals must be controlled through medication.
• Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment:
• Work Environment: Work is performed throughout shelter, internal office settings, and outdoors. Exposure to high noise levels/barking, zoonotic diseases, potentially fearful/fractious animals and/or animal bites/scratches. Exposure to cleaning agents. Work can be emotionally taxing.
• Physical Requirements: Lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Frequent computer/tablet use. Potential for standing, walking, and sitting for extended periods of time. Regular animal handling and restraint. Ability to drive a car or other type of large service vehicle preferred.
• Work Schedule: Four tens, or five eights. Ability to work weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed.
• Work Location: Riverdale Animal Shelter, 12155 Park Blvd, Brighton, CO 80601