Would you like to get paid to help homeless dogs find forever homes? Homeward Trails Animal Rescue is looking for highly motivated, hard working Animal Care Technicians to join our Adoption Center team! Animal Care Technicians will not only get to spend their days with some of the cutest dogs on earth, they will also learn tons about their behavior, training, and health! And, as a bonus, work with some pretty cool humans!

Homeward Trails Animal Rescue is a nonprofit animal rescue in Northern Virginia. We rescue thousands of animals each year from under resourced rural shelters and from partners in Puerto Rico and internationally. Dogs we rescue are placed either in foster homes or in our Adoption Center until they are adopted.

The Adoption Center is a unique shelter to the area in that it is centered around frequent socialization for the dogs through playgroups, which offer great opportunities for our dogs to receive daily exercise, enrichment, and socialization.

Animal Care Technicians play a crucial part at the Adoption Center, supporting the physical and behavioral health of the dogs, running playgroups, maintaining the cleanliness and upkeep of the facility, and facilitating adoptions with the public.

Responsibilities:

• Assisting with playgroups in accordance with Homeward Trails guidelines

• Feeding dogs and monitoring eating habits

• Ensuring dogs always have clean bedding and water

• Assisting medically knowledgeable staff with physical care of dogs

• Reporting medical and behavioral concerns to appropriate supervisors

• Adhering to behavioral and medical protocols as directed by supervisors

• Interacting with volunteers and adopters professionally and courteously at all times

• Providing volunteers and adopters with information about the dogs using appropriate terminology

• Thorough cleaning of facility using stated cleaning protocols – be prepared for lots of cleaning!

• Ensuring that you are available and on time for all shifts or have arranged for suitable coverage

• Engaging in continuous training and learning opportunities

• Miscellaneous projects as directed

Qualifications:

• Reliable and consistently available for scheduled shifts

• Strong work ethic

• Commitment to the well-being of the dogs in our care

• Motivated to learn, gain new skills, and advance their knowledge

• Positive and enthusiastic

• Able to work with and interact with a wide range of people and personalities

• Able to direct volunteers

• Can remain calm and professional under pressure and in stressful situations

• Must be able to meet physical demands including, but not limited to, lifting heavy items or animals

• Experience working with dogs in a group setting or in a veterinary clinic a plus

This is a part-time opportunity looking to fill between approximately 20-40 hours per week. Working on weekends and holidays is mandatory. Starting pay is $12 per hour, but can increase with prior experience. Opportunities for advancement are available through skill acquisition, increased competency, and adherence to stated standards of employment. We are mostly seeking staff for shifts from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM. You must be 18 years old to apply.

To apply, please submit your resume and a short message that describes why you are a good fit for this position and the days/hours you would be available to work to markg@homewardtrails.org.

Homeward Trails is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship, military or veteran status or genetics.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $12.00 per hour