Kennel Technician

Company Overview:

Recognized nationally as a premier nonprofit organization, Dogs for Better Lives’ mission is to professionally train dogs to help people and enhance lives while maintaining a lifelong commitment to all dogs rescued or bred and all people served. Dogs for Better Lives trains and places Assistance Dogs with clients throughout the United States and is supported by a nationwide donor base.

Job Summary:

The Kennel Technician ensures the proper feeding and care of dogs in residence at the Dogs for Better Lives facility. Additionally, this position maintains accurate records on dogs at the facility as well as maintenance of our kennel buildings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Provides general daily kennel care: scooping, cleaning, laundry, etc.

· Provides general daily dog and cat care: feeding, watering, grooming, playing and exercising, accurately medicating, inoculating and maintaining general health of dogs.

· Takes dogs to the vet whenever necessary. Verify the charges on the vet bills.

· Maintains dogs' medical records by accurately entering medical procedures and activities in individual files. Creates accurate medication cards if necessary.

· Coordinates medical procedures: microchips, vet II, and health certificate appointments.

· Ensures and participates in regular cleaning of kennel facility.

· Ensures that feces is being scooped and that urine is being sprayed regularly in the run areas and in each kennel.

· Ensures supplies are being stocked in Quarantine and Main Kennel vet rooms (towels, paper towels, bleach, dog food, treats, chewies, trash bags, refill shampoo, hand soap, bleach solution, betadine, etc.)

· Ensures that all counters are clean, free of clutter and unused medications.

· Ensures that drawers are kept clean and well organized.

· Ensures that all floors are swept in kennel areas, vet rooms, observation room, sitting room and laundry room.

· Ensures that floor in freezer room is swept and that the room is kept organized.

· Ensures that laundry is being done in a timely manner and that the laundry room is being kept clean and organized.

· Ensures that dogs are being exercised as per instructions.

· Ensures that kennels are cleaned in Q with bleach solution during/after use by Quarantine dog.

· Ensures that Bleach Solution is being mixed properly and as needed.

· Runs miscellaneous errands.

· Does Hearing Dog demonstrations with demo dogs for tours onsite as needed.

· Perform other duties as required by the organization and the Training Director.

Essential Qualifications:

· High School diploma or GED certificate required.

· Must pass a criminal background and DMV check.

· For the safety of the employee, other employees, and the dogs, an employee must have hearing within normal limits (for an adult, hearing thresholds no greater than 25 dB HL from 500 Hz through 4000 Hz, for both ears, with or without hearing aids, implants or other devices. Employees must be able to hear the wide variety of sounds at different levels and pitches from a variety of directions and distances that dogs make while interacting with people and each other. This includes:

o Detect barking at all levels and tones

o Determine direction barking is coming from

o Detect change in type of bark, tone, volume

o Detect low growl, direction

o Hear a dog running behind them

o Hear talking in a normal range

o When training a dog, the trainer must be able to hear all the sounds and tones that he/she is training the dog to hear in order to reward behavior and ensure successful outcomes.

· Physically capable of lifting dogs up to 65 pounds, the agility to move quickly, climb stairs, operate office equipment and computers with ease, and the ability to get up and down easily while working and playing with the dogs.

Essential Requirements:

· Enjoys building and maintaining relationships with staff.

· Successfully able to lead self and others through a process and adhere to timelines.

· Shares in the passion for the mission of Dogs for Better Lives.

· Self-starter and independent with limited supervision but works collaboratively.

· Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.

· Highly skilled in interpersonal and written communication.

· Ability to meet and greet the public in a friendly and courteous manner.

· Comfortable and experienced with public speaking.

· Respects and maintains privileged confidential information.

· Values continuous learning and seeks ongoing training and development.

Note: This is a job description, not an employment contract. This job description does not state or imply these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by management. Dogs for Better Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer._

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Holidays
• Weekend availability

Work Location: One location