Animal Caretaker

Job Description

Job Description

Part-Time Animal Caretaker, Non-Exempt

Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT)

Founded in 1994, HSTT has grown from a small, grassroots non-profit organization to the leading animal welfare organization in the Lake Tahoe region. Our mission is to save and improve the lives of pets through adoptions, community spay/neuter services, and humane education programs. For more information, please visit

Summary of position:

Under the direct supervision of the Animal Care Team Manager, the Animal Caretaker assists in the operation and maintenance of the Truckee Animal Shelter, including the care and socialization of housed animals, maintaining the facility in a clean, safe, and orderly manner, assisting the public, and performing related duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities:  

1. Receives animals into the shelter; performs preliminary examination including weighing, vaccinating, and microchip scanning; conducts an initial assessment of behavior and health; enters information into the database. 
2. Provides care to impounded animals including food, water, baths, and comfort; observes and records animal behavior, physical appearance, and health; exercises animals; isolates sick, quarantined, or injured animals; notifies supervisor or other staff members if an animal needs immediate veterinary care. 
3. Administers medication as directed; assists veterinarians in the examination and treatment of animals. 
4. Maintains the animal shelter, including cleaning and disinfecting kennels, cages, dog runs, and equipment; replaces bedding, toys, and litter pans; maintains a clean and safe environment at all times; monitors kennel security; recommends and implements maintenance and security improvements as approved. 
5. Assists other staff members to collaboratively analyze and temperament test animal behavior prior to determining adoptability; assists in the socialization of animals. 
6. Provides support to the Administrative Assistant by collecting fees and issuing receipts for the sale of dog licenses and spay/neutering certificates; may issue dog licenses. 
7. Participates in providing medical care, including humane euthanasia procedures in accordance with training, policy, and applicable law. Handles animal remains with appropriate care and complies with procedures. 
8. Provides effective customer service; responds to complaints and requests for information; assists in interpreting and applying regulations, policies, and procedures in response to inquiries and complaints from the public. 
9. Monitors inventory of supplies; stocks animal food and shelter supplies; maintains inventory records. 
10. Directs and assists community service workers and volunteers in the handling of animals and performance of animal shelter work. Greets and assists all customers entering the animal services lobby when needed. 
11. Listens to customers and provides effective responses and remedies to their questions and needs.
12. Must follow all safety policies, promptly report safety concerns, and comply with all applicable safety laws and the employer’s safety policies and rules. Safety violations and potential safety violations must be reported to the appropriate supervisory or management personnel.
13. Assists on an as-needed basis with community members in the Adoption lobby.
14. Assists with various additional duties when requested by management. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Treat all animals humanely, with compassion and concern, both on and off the job, and transmits these values to others.
2. Updates animal-related profiles and shelter platforms as needed. 
3. Is prepared and ready to assist with emergency disaster response.

Qualifications:

1. Basic animal care and behavior knowledge is required. Knowledge of domestic animals, including appropriate care and housing, common health problems, disease symptoms, and handling techniques is preferred.
2. Understands basic health and safety issues related to handling and caring for animals. 
3. Knowledge of basic species, breed identification, behaviors, and disposition of dogs, cats, and other animals. 
4. Ability to create, read, and comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and reports.
5. Demonstrates effective phone, written, and oral communication skills.
6. Displays the ability to prioritize competing tasks and showcase reasonable decision-making.
7. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. 
8. Basic computer skills using standard office programs such as Google Docs or similar systems. 
9. Energetic, friendly, creative team player with a passion for saving animals and working with people.
10. Must be able to spend a great deal of time working with and handling both dogs and cats.
11. Skilled at mediating disputes, conflicts, and grievances.
12. Possess an interest and the ability to remain abreast of trends and best practices in the humane movement.
13. Must be available to work a set schedule, including weekends and holidays, with flexibility as operational needs require. 
14. Demonstrates understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, diverse abilities, gender, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation of coworkers and the community served.

Preferred
Skills:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred to support our Spanish-speaking community.

Education and Experience:

• High School graduate or GED equivalent required. 
• At least six months of related animal care experience and/or training preferred. 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds routinely.
• Ability to perform strenuous manual labor and move quickly in an agile manner when dealing with animals and in cases of emergency.
• Ability to work with physically strong dogs.
• Ability to handle cats and other small animals.
• Ability to bend, stoop, hike, walk, kneel, and lift comfortably.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. 
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. 
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

As a valued member of the HSTT family, part-time employees receive a benefits package that includes:  

• Paid sick leave in accordance with California state law.
• Your birthday off.
• Participation in a 401(k) plan.
• Group yoga (when available), office snacks, etc.

Compensation : $26-$28 per hour.

Position : Part-time, non-exempt, (up to 24 hours/week between Monday-Sunday). Standard hours are 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Includes weekend, evening, and holiday work. 

Location : Truckee Animal Shelter.

Report To : Animal Care Team Manager.

Employment with HSTT is at-will and may be terminated at any time, with or without cause or notice, in accordance with California law.

HSTT provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.