Position Summary
The Kennel Technician is responsible for providing compassionate, high quality daily care to the animals housed at the Caroline County Humane Society. This position plays a vital role in maintaining a clean, safe, and enriching environment for both dogs and cats while supporting the organization's mission of promoting animal welfare.
Kennel Technicians work directly with shelter animals to ensure their physical, behavioral, and emotional needs are met. Responsibilities include feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal health and behavior, providing enrichment and exercise, assisting with adoptions and animal movement, and supporting the medical team as needed. This position requires teamwork, flexibility, and a commitment to providing exceptional care for every animal.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Animal Care
- Provide daily care for dogs and cats, including feeding, watering, cleaning, and monitoring overall health and well being.
- Clean and sanitize kennels, cages, litter boxes, food and water bowls, bedding, and common animal areas in accordance with shelter protocols.
- Exercise dogs through walking, playgroups, or supervised outdoor time.
- Spend time with the cats offering socialization, basic grooming, and play time.
- Provide enrichment activities for dogs and cats to reduce stress and improve overall welfare.
- Monitor animals for signs of illness, injury, stress, or behavioral changes and promptly report concerns to a supervisor or medical staff.
- Safely handle animals using Fear Free and low-stress handling techniques whenever possible.
- Maintain accurate records related to feeding, cleaning, medications, behavior observations, and daily care.
Shelter Operations
- Assist with animal intakes, adoption interactions, and transport preparation when needed.
- Ensure kennels and animal housing remain clean, organized, and properly stocked.
- Wash laundry, sanitize equipment, and maintain cleanliness throughout the shelter.
- Assist with inventory and stocking of animal care supplies.
- Support emergency animal care and disaster response efforts when needed.
Medical Support
- Assist with vaccinations, medication administration, routine treatments, and animal restraint under the direction of the Animal Care or Medical Care Supervisor.
- Observe animals recovering from illness or surgery and report concerns promptly.
- Follow disease prevention, isolation, and biosecurity protocols.
Customer Service
- Interact professionally and courteously with adopters, volunteers, visitors, and community members.
- Assist potential adopters by providing information about animal behavior, care, and daily routines.
- Represent the Caroline County Humane Society in a positive and professional manner.
Teamwork
- Work cooperatively with supervisors, coworkers, volunteers, and foster families.
- Assist other departments as operational needs require.
- Participate in staff meetings and training opportunities.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support shelter operations.
Qualifications
Education
- High school diploma or GED preferred.
Experience
- Previous experience working with animals is preferred but not required.
- Experience in animal shelters, veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, or pet care is desirable.
Knowledge and Skills
- Ability to safely handle dogs and cats of all breeds, sizes, ages, and temperaments.
- Strong observation skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to recognize signs of illness, stress, or behavioral changes in animals.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to remain calm in stressful or emotional situations.
- Commitment to compassionate animal care and excellent customer service.
Physical Requirements
This position requires frequent:
- Standing and walking for extended periods.
- Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds independently and more with assistance.
- Bending, kneeling, squatting, reaching, and climbing stairs.
- Walking dogs of varying sizes and strength.
- Handling animals that may be frightened, stressed, or unpredictable.
- Exposure to cleaning chemicals, animal dander, noise, odors, and outdoor weather conditions.
Working Conditions
Kennel Technicians work in a fast-paced shelter environment that includes exposure to animals with unknown medical or behavioral histories. Employees may be exposed to animal waste, zoonotic diseases, loud noises, and emotionally difficult situations, including neglect, abuse, illness, and humane euthanasia.
Weekend, evening, holiday, and emergency coverage is required as scheduled.
Core Competencies
Successful Kennel Technicians consistently demonstrate:
- Compassion for animals and people.
- Dependability and accountability.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Professionalism and integrity.
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn.
- Strong work ethic and initiative.
- Commitment to the mission of the Caroline County Humane Society.
Pay Rate: $15-18.39
The Caroline County Humane Society uses a graded pay scale. The higher range is reserved for employees with exceptional skills, knowledge, and experience.
Schedule: Full time, 40 hrs/week
The schedule will require at least one or more weekend days.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- On-the-job training
- Paid training
Work Location: In person
