About Us
Burlington Animal Services provides animal sheltering services for all of Alamance County and its municipalities with an annual pet save rate that exceeds 90%. Our programs and services also include a stand-alone public low-cost community spay/neuter & wellness clinic, a field services division that serves the City of Burlington, pet help support services programming, an innovative and holistic community cat program, a robust volunteer program, a development and fundraising program, internship opportunities for college students, and much more. We enjoy positive, strong, and collaborative relationships with many non-profit organizations, local businesses, local governments, and other community partners. Our agency is a modern, high-performing Animal Services agency and an industry leader in our state.
What You Will Do
This position reports to the Operation Manager and is responsible for providing daily direct care and behavioral enrichment of pets at the Burlington Animal Services Pet Adoption & Resource Center. This position is also responsible for routine facility cleaning and maintenance, assisting customers and visitors, and working with volunteers. The position requires a basic knowledge of animal health and welfare, excellent animal handling skills, excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, orientation to detail and organization, basic record keeping, and great time management skills.
Animal Care Responsibilities
- Behavioral Enrichment: Provide pets with prescribed activities to enhance their well-being.
- Facility Maintenance: Clean and maintain animal enclosures, general facility areas, equipment, instruments, and toys.
- Health Monitoring: Observe and report changes in animal health or behavior to veterinary staff.
- Animal Handling: Manage animals of varying dispositions during examinations, procedures, exercise, and enrichment.
Veterinary Assistance:
- Examinations & Treatments: Assist veterinary staff with animal care and medical procedures.
- Medication Administration: Administer prescribed vaccinations and medications.
Daily Care Duties:
- Feeding: Provide food according to feeding schedules and special diet requirements.
- Intake Assessments: Perform initial health and behavior evaluations of admitted animals to identify potential concerns.
Customer and Community Interaction:
- Visitor Assistance: Support visitors with pet admissions, lost pet recovery, pet help programs, and pet placement.
- Animal Identification: Photograph admitted animals and scan for microchips to ensure proper identification.
- Communication: Collaborate with staff, volunteers, and placement partners through oral and written communication.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Perform other related tasks as assigned to support animal care and facility operations.
Expertise in Animal Welfare:
- Best Practices: In-depth knowledge of modern practices in animal sheltering, humane care, handling, welfare, behavior, enrichment, housing, and care.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with laws, codes, and regulations related to animal welfare.
Skills in Animal Care:
- Animal Handling: Proficiency in caring for and handling animals, including administering medications, vaccinations, and providing behavioral enrichment.
- Stress Management: Ability to manage and respond to emotional stress in self and others while maintaining professional boundaries and prioritizing self-care.
Communication and Collaboration:
- Professional Interaction: Strong skills in communicating effectively with co-workers and the public.
- Team Collaboration: Maintain positive, collaborative, and harmonious relationships with co-workers, volunteers, and others.
Administrative and Technical Proficiency:
- Record Keeping: Competence in completing and maintaining digital files, records, and forms.
- Policy Adherence: Ability to read, interpret, and follow departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Technology Use: Knowledge and basic skills in email and modern office technology.
Adaptability and Resilience
- Flexibility: Adapt to changing priorities, assignments, and interruptions with ease.
- Resilience: Exhibit resilience in stressful situations and a willingness to embrace change.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Valid Driver’s License
Special Requirements:
- Fear Free © Certification (within first 6 months of employment)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous animal care experience in professional animal welfare settings.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
- Handle animals that are sick or injured, frightened or dangerous, or who may display unpredictable behavior. Individuals must be able to lift up to 75 pounds.
- Stand, sit, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl to inspect and/or clean shelter enclosures.
- Must be able to lift, carry, and restrain animals and operate vehicles and equipment.
- Work requires exposure to potentially hazardous conditions such as aggressive animals and zoonotic diseases.
- Work in this position is primarily performed indoors.
