Animal Caretaker
Job Title: Animal Caretaker
Reports to: Rehoboth Center Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Part-time
Salary: Union Postion/Hourly
Are you passionate about being a champion for companion animals? Do you embrace optimism and compassion, meeting everyone with an open mind, kindness, and respect? Want to join a growing team dedicated to bringing people and companion animals together for a lifetime of love? Become a part of the Humane Animal Partners family! We are looking for animal lovers who want to make a lasting difference for needy pets in our area. Humane Animal Partners, located in Wilmington, Stanton/Christiana and Rehoboth Beach, is a private, nonprofit organization that is Delaware’s oldest animal welfare agency, founded in 1873. (Formerly Delaware SPCA and Delaware Humane Association)
Position Summary: The Animal Caretaker is responsible for the overall care of the dogs and cats within our adoption center by providing food, water, and a clean environment. The role requires physically strenuous custodial activities and routine maintenance duties, including: cleaning kennels and cages; providing food and water for the animals; animal handling; and maintaining a safe and secure environment for the animals. The Animal Caretaker also provides customer service to guests seeking to adopt animals, oversees meet-and-greets when busy, and provides animal socialization. Candidates must be able to work independently, follow protocol, be comfortable working with animals, and have reliable transportation. Weekend and holiday availability required. Stamina is a must due to prolonged hours of walking and/or standing, scrubbing, and holding and/or lifting animals. Previous professional animal care experience a plus. Salary starts at $15.50/hourly. This is a union position and weekends are required.
Location:
Our Rehoboth Beach adoption center is hiring! Located just ten minutes from the beach, our adoption center is in a bustling strip mall off Route 1. Join our team and help homeless dogs and cats by day; relax with your feet in the sand after work.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Clean and maintain kennels and animal living areas daily
Provide each animal with food and water, following feeding protocols
Assist other employees, guests, and volunteers in a cheerful and respectful manner as a representative of Humane Animal Partners
Oversee meet-and-greets, answer questions about specific animals, and offer advice/education to potential adopters to ensure the best outcome for animal and adopter
Inform Supervisor of any health issues with the animals
Clean other shelter areas: sweep, take out garbage, wash windows, etc.
Clean and maintain shelter equipment: e.g. carriers, leashes, brushes, etc.
Wash food and water bowls and put them away in an orderly fashion
Help as needed with the intake of new animals
Follow proper safety measures and procedures when using chemicals and cleaning supplies
Help with washing, drying, and folding of laundry
Help maintain a clean and organized warehouse
Responsible for other duties as assigned
Skills & Experience:
1 year of experience working with animals preferred; volunteer work credited as experience
Minimum high school diploma or GED required
Knowledge of and ability to implement care-related animal sheltering best practices
Initiative to resolve problems independently and enthusiastically persist until goals are achieved
Excellent communication skills and experience interacting with the public
Must be able to professionally advocate Humane Animal Partner's positions on issues and act in best interest of operations
Must have the ability to foster a cooperative work environment with staff as well as volunteers
Bilingual in English and Spanish a huge plus
Physical Requirements:
Must be able to routinely lift 50 pounds
Must be able to perform strenuous physical activity on a regular basis, including, but not limited to: climbing up and down ladders, lifting and carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, cleaning, and bending.
Please email Resume to HR@hapde.org if interested in applying.