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Kennel Technician and Doggie Daycare Attendant
Career Insights for Animal Care Worker / Manager
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Based on Wisconsin 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.
$29,752 / year median in Wisconsin
+13% projected growth
Job Description
FULL-TIME
position, primarily working afternoon, evening and closing shifts. Previous professional dog-handling experience is required. We are looking for someone who understands that exceptional pet care is about much more than simply loving animals. This position requires strong animal-handling skills, the ability to read canine behavior, excellent attention to detail, and a willingness to clean thoroughly and consistently. Cleaning is a major part of this position. We need someone who notices the details — not just someone who can complete a cleaning checklist. You should be able to recognize when something needs additional attention, take pride in maintaining a sanitary environment, and understand how cleanliness directly affects the health, safety and comfort of the animals in our care. At the same time, we are looking for someone with strong animal husbandry and dog-handling skills who can confidently care for dogs with different personalities, breeds, sizes and energy levels. This position is best suited for someone who genuinely wants full-time hours with strong afternoon, evening and closing availability. Weekend and holiday availability are required. Some daytime shifts may occasionally be available, but our greatest need is for someone who can reliably strengthen our evening and closing team. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must have reliable transportation. We are looking for someone who: Has previous professional experience working with dogs Understands canine body language, social behavior and group dynamics Prioritizes animal safety, health and well-being Can confidently handle dogs of varying sizes, breeds, temperaments and energy levels Can safely supervise and manage groups of dogs Has strong animal husbandry and observational skills Notices changes in behavior, appetite, elimination, movement or overall condition Takes pride in thorough, detailed cleaning and sanitation Can recognize when something needs attention without always being told Is dependable, punctual and consistent Communicates clearly, respectfully and professionally Provides excellent customer service Works well independently while also being a strong team player Can remain calm, focused and productive in a busy environment Is flexible and willing to help wherever needed Daily responsibilities may include: Safely supervising and managing structured play for daycare and boarding dogs Reading canine behavior and recognizing potential problems before they escalate Feeding dogs and following individual care instructions Monitoring animals for changes in behavior, appetite, health or comfort Tracking and administering medications when applicable Cleaning and sanitizing kennels, play areas, floors, dishes, bedding and other areas throughout the facility Paying attention to the small details that keep an animal-care facility truly clean and sanitary Laundry and general facility upkeep Bathing, brushing, nail trims, ear cleaning and other basic pet-care services Checking dogs in and out Communicating professionally with customers in person, by phone and through online messaging Answering questions about our services Helping maintain an organized, safe and welcoming environment Working closely with teammates to ensure every animal receives consistent, quality care Position requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age Previous professional dog-handling experience is required Strong understanding of canine body language and social behavior Confidence handling dogs with different personalities and energy levels Strong attention to detail Willingness and ability to clean thoroughly and frequently Strong customer service and communication skills Reliable transportation is required Reliable, timely and consistent attendance Ability to lift approximately 50 lbs and remain on your feet for extended periods Strong afternoon, evening and closing availability Weekend availability is required Holiday availability is required Examples of qualifying experience may include kennel work, dog daycare, grooming, dog training, veterinary clinic work, animal shelter or rescue work, or similar professional animal-care experience. Additional experience that may make you an especially strong candidate: Dog grooming or bathing experience Dog training experience Cat handling experience Veterinary or animal-care knowledge Front desk or customer service experience Social media, marketing or content creation experience Graphic design skills Schedule and position:FULL-TIME POSITION
Primary schedule will be afternoon, evening and closing shifts Some daytime hours may occasionally be available or needed Weekend availability is required Holiday availability is required Flexibility is important, as scheduling needs may change depending on boarding and daycare volume We are specifically hiring to strengthen our evening and closing team at our 2217 150th Avenue, St. Croix Falls, WI location. If you are primarily looking for daytime hours, this likely will not be the right fit. Because we care for animals 365 days a year, evenings, weekends and holidays are an important part of this position. In your application, please answer the following: Tell us about your professional experience working with dogs. Please include the type of facility, your responsibilities and how long you worked there. What experience do you have managing groups of dogs or reading canine body language? Describe a challenging situation you experienced with a dog and how you handled it. Tell us about your experience cleaning in a kennel, veterinary, grooming, daycare or other animal-care environment. What does "thoroughly clean" mean to you? What does excellent customer service mean to you? Why are you interested in working at Top of the Valley Pet Resort? Please describe your afternoon, evening, weekend and holiday availability. Are you at least 18 years of age? Do you have reliable transportation to and from every scheduled shift? We take tremendous pride in the care we provide at Top of the Valley Pet Resort. While working with animals can certainly be fun, this is not a position where you simply play with dogs all day. Professional pet care requires extensive cleaning, attention to detail, animal-handling knowledge, good judgment, strong communication, teamwork and the ability to remain calm when things get busy. We are looking for someone who will notice the dirty water bowl, the kennel corner that needs another pass, the dog whose behavior seems a little different, or the small detail that others might overlook — and take care of it. Most importantly, we want someone who genuinely cares about doing things correctly and providing the level of care our animals and their families deserve. Qualified applicants will be contacted via text to schedule an interview. Reliable, motivated and responsive candidates will be prioritized.Benefits:
Employee discounts Full-time hours Flexible scheduling within the needs of the facility Opportunity to work in a growing, award-winning pet care businessPay:
$16.00 - $19.00 per hourBenefits:
On-the-job training Paid trainingWork Location:
In personBenefits
- Flexible Work Schedules
- Professional Development
- Dental Insurance
- Discounts/Reimbursements