Kennel Aide in Tacoma, Washington at Humane Society For Tacoma & Pierce County

The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County is one of Washington’s largest nonprofit animal welfare organizations, providing essential care to more than 9,000 animals in our shelter each year. As a donor-funded organization, we rely on community support to find loving homes for nearly 7,000 pets, reunite more than 1,100 lost animals with their families and assist thousands more through innovative community programs.

Tacoma Humane is looking for a Kennel Aide to add to our Animal Care team! In this role you will perform routine animal care that helps to maintain the health and

happiness of our animals! The work includes cleaning and maintaining animal housing areas and requires

handling of all species of companion animals to house them, properly care for them, and minimize their stress. Previous experience in a shelter is preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & FUNCTIONS :

• Feed shelter animals following established guidelines and schedules
• Ensure shelter animals have access to clean water at all times
• Maintaining the overall cleanliness of the kennel area which includes following the established protocol to clean, disinfect and maintain shelter housing
• Participate in stress and disease reduction through compassionate handling of all shelter animals
• Monitor shelter animal behaviors and immediately report health or behavioral abnormalities to the appropriate team
• Restock cleaning and other kennel supplies
• Ensure inventory of needed supplies is maintained at appropriate levels
• Maintain work and general areas within department in a clean and organized manner
• Assist receiving with setting up incoming animals and lost pet walk throughs
• Assist Adoptions with Adoption Meets
• Maintain accurate and timely animal records, performing data entry as directed
• Attend all meetings and/or trainings as scheduled
• Represent the Society well by providing excellent customer service as needed
• Ensures a safe working environment by following all safety guidelines and addressing any safety concerns with the appropriate team
• Willingly and cooperatively performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty well. The

requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Available to work weekends, holiday shifts and overtime as needed
• Ability to work with all animal species
• Knowledge of and/or willingness to learn and utilizebest practices in animal healthcare and welfare
• Able and willing to utilize Fear free handling techniques only
• Ability to work in a fast-pace environment and multi-task
• Outgoing, polite and professional manner
• The ability to deal with a diverse public is required
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to multi task, prioritize and handle high levels of stress
• Dependable, have proven ability to meet deadlines and follow detailed instructions
• A caring and compassionate attitude
• Must be willing and able to follow written and verbally presented protocols

Must be at least 18 years of age, due to safety risks of working with animals

Experience:

A minimum of six months experience working with animals in a professional setting

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Speak, read, and write in the English language (B)

Stand and/or walk constantly

Run occasionally (loose animal protocols)

Lift <10lbs - 50lbs frequently

Team lift 50-75lbs occasionally

Team lift 75-120lbs seldom

Twist, Reach with both hands, push and pull constantly

Climb frequently (step ladders and stairs)

Sit seldomly

See/hear/communicate verbally constantly