Animal Care Technician

Overview

About The Oregon Humane Society
Founded in 1868, Oregon Humane Society is the Northwest's oldest and largest animal welfare organization with one of the highest adoption rates in the nation. We are working toward our vision of a world where all animals are treated with compassion, kindness and respect. With campuses in Portland and Salem, OHS is an Oregon-based nonprofit that relies on donor support for its adoption, education, medical and humane law enforcement programs.

Visit oregonhumane.org to learn more about how we’re creating a More Humane Society.

The Team and The Position
The Animal Care Technician 1 is a vital member of the OHS Shelter Operations team responsible for providing the highest quality of care to animals in residence at the Oregon Humane Society and facilitating interactions with the public. Animal Care is responsible for the daily care & husbandry of animals in the care of OHS. This includes cleaning, feeding, medicating and escalating behavior or medical concerns as they arise.

Animal Care is the primary voice of the animal while at OHS.

Eligible Benefits
We are committed to creating a better future for pets, and we work hard to achieve our goals while offering a rewarding workplace including competitive benefit packages to our employees.

• Medical/Dental/Vision
• Paid Time Off + Sick Time + Holidays
• 401(k) with employer match
• Professional Development Opportunities
• One free OHS adoption/ year
• Perks & Discounts

Essential Responsibilities

• Act as a vital member of the Shelter Operations team by providing appropriate animal husbandry, handling and screening according to established protocols and procedures. Stock areas and housekeeping duties as assigned.
• Work daily with animals of varying size and temperament, handling individual animals in a safe, caring and respectful manner.
• Provide continual coverage to animals and the public in assigned area, leaving area only upon request of supervisor or with adequate coverage to perform assigned tasks.
• Monitor all animal related information on kennel cards, correcting errors and adding new information upon observation. Ensure that all animals are correctly identified and that all cages have accurate animal information posted.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively, provide excellent customer service - internally and externally.
• Reliably and accurately complete work by following up on requests, checking work for errors, completing requests on or before deadlines and assuming responsibility for successes or errors.
• Provide timely and appropriate education to clients as needed.
• Assist with euthanasia services and handling animals for cremation services.
• Sort in-kind donations and distribute to appropriate departments.
• Assist in training new staff/volunteers.

Supervises:
None

Reports Directly To:
Animal Care Manager

Often Engages Directly With:
Customer Care, Admissions, Shelter Medicine, Training & Behavior

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective and thought. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. You are also encouraged to address how your professional and lived experience, scholarship, mentorship and/or service will contribute to the Oregon Humane Society.

• 1 year related work experience in customer service, retail, food service, animal care/handling, and/or a high-pressure, high-volume work environment.
• Basic working knowledge of computer software programs.
• Able to exercise sound judgment and maintain a professional demeanor during all interactions with the public, partner agencies, donors, staff and volunteers.
• Proficiency using the Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills - able to communicate with a diverse population in a consistently informative, respectful and professional manner.
• Knowledge and experience working with a wide variety of dog and cat breeds.

This position interacts and collaborates with all levels of the organization, including OHS staff, executive team members, donors, general public, external vendors, volunteers, and supporters. Contact and communication is carried out through face-to-face, telephone and digital interactions. Excellent customer service skills are essential to success. Communication must be clear, understandable, professional and respectful in all circumstances.

• Work is performed in an office and medical center/animal shelter environment.
• Travel between the two campuses may be required.
• Working at both campuses may be required.
• Occasional weekend and evening work may be required.
• Animal contact and related injuries may occur.
• Noise exposure varies and…