Animal Technician jobs in Virginia

Would you like to get paid to help homeless dogs find their forever homes? Homeward Trails Animal Rescue is looking for highly motivated, hard working Animal Care Technicians to join their Adoption Center team! Animal Care Technicians will not only get to spend their days with some of the cutest dogs on earth, they will participate in our 4-level training curriculum. In this training program, staff members will learn how to identify dog body language, leash handling skills, our adoption process, and much more!

Homeward Trails Animal Rescue is a nonprofit animal rescue in Northern Virginia. We rescue hundreds of animals each year from low income, rural shelters and from partners in Puerto Rico and internationally. Dogs we rescue are placed either in foster homes or in our Adoption Center until they are adopted.

The Adoption Center is a unique shelter to the area in that it is centered around frequent socialization for the dogs through playgroups, which offer great opportunities for our dogs to receive daily exercise, enrichment, and socialization.

Animal Care Technicians play a crucial part at the Adoption Center, supporting the physical and behavioral health of the dogs, running playgroups, maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of the facility, and facilitating adoptions with the public.

Responsibilities:

• Assisting with playgroups in accordance with Homeward Trails guidelines
• Feeding dogs and monitoring eating habits
• Ensuring dogs always have clean bedding and water
• Assisting medical staff with physical care of dogs
• Reporting medical and behavioral concerns to appropriate supervisors
• Adhering to behavioral and medical protocols as directed by supervisors
• Interacting with volunteers and adopters professionally and courteously at all times
• Providing volunteers and adopters with information about the dogs using appropriate terminology
• Thorough cleaning of facility using stated cleaning protocols - be prepared for lots of cleaning!
• Engaging in continuous training and learning opportunities
• Miscellaneous projects as directed

Qualifications:

• Reliably and consistently available for scheduled shifts
• Strong work ethic
• Committed to the well-being of the dogs in our care
• Motivated to learn, gain new skills, and advance their knowledge
• Able to work with and interact with a wide range of people and personalities
• Able to direct volunteers
• Must be able to meet physical demands including, but not limited to, lifting heavy items or animals
• Experience working with dogs in a group setting or in a veterinary clinic a plus

We have part-time and full-time openings available, looking to fill between approximately 15-40 hours per week. Weekend and holiday availability is required, as the dogs at the Adoption Center don't get weekends or holidays off.

Starting pay is $15 per hour, but can increase with prior experience. Opportunities for advancement are available through skill acquisition, increased competency, and adherence to stated standards of employment. We have morning, midday, and evening shifts available. Morning shifts start at 7am, midday shifts run from 9am-5pm, and evening shifts are from 3pm-8:30pm. You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Due to the extensive amount of training that goes into this position, we are not offering seasonal/temporary positions at this time.

To apply, please submit your resume and a short message that describes why you are a good fit for this position and the days/hours you would be available to work.

Homeward Trails is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship, military or veteran status or genetics.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: From $15.00 per hour

Expected hours: 10 – 40 per week

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Every weekend

Work Location: In person