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Animal Care Specialist
Career Insights for Animal Care Worker / Manager
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Based on Maryland data
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What they do
An Animal Care Worker or Manager manages animal care and grooming for a retail store that sells pets or for a pet grooming business. May also provide animal care and grooming at a kennel. Works with animals in shelters or rescue organizations. Works primarily with dogs and cats. Assists veterinarians with vaccinations or other procedures; screens people who want to adopt an animal from a shelter and provides information about caring for animals.
$32,819 / year median in Maryland
+14% projected growth
Job Description
- Routine daily cleaning and feeding of shelter animals.
- Routine daily enrichment and training of shelter animals.
- Routine daily cleaning of department areas such as kitchen, storage areas used by your department, and any other areas as directed by a supervisor.
- Develop a working knowledge of all shelter animals in your department, through hands-on interaction, review of paperwork, and PetPoint information.
- Oversee inventory of supplies needed by your department, to prevent shortages, and inform the Animal Care Manager when items are missing, damaged, or otherwise out of service.
- Work closely with other HSHC team members and volunteers to ensure animals receive top-notch care and the best chance of a positive outcome.
- Learn, know, and practice safe and low stress/fear free animal handling skills.
- Submit behavior alerts immediately to the Animal Care Manager for any animals that exhibit behavior issues while in your care or on intake.
- Submit medical alerts immediately to the veterinary team for any animals that exhibit medical issues while in your care or on intake.
- Learn, know, and follow all shelter Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Alert Animal care Manager to any customer service, staff, policy, or other issues in a timely manner.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Over the age of 18.
- Rabies vaccinated or willingness to become vaccinated (at HSHC's expense.)
- Ability to work for at least ten hours, four days a week.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds without help.
- Ability to perform repetitive functions including but not limited to: bending, kneeling, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and reaching.
- Ability to work in confined areas, heat stress and cold conditions, and high noise areas.
- When operating a vehicle in the course of work (either personal or company) all traffic laws, safety and DOT regulations must be adhered to at all times. Do not smoke or use tobacco products in company vehicles.
- Work safely and smartly to minimize the potential for harm to yourself, others, and HSHC property.
- Utilize PPE when appropriate and notify the Animal Care Manager if needed PPE is not available.
- Keep work areas tidy.
- Immediately report any injuries sustained while on the job, to the Executive Director.
- Notify the Animal Care Manager immediately of any unsafe working conditions that you identify or that are reported to you.