Job Title: ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN I

Job Description
Loudoun County's Department of Animal Services (LCAS) is looking for energetic, enthusiastic applicants to join the animal care team at the brand new, state-of-the-art Animal Services facility, located in Leesburg, Virginia. We are seeking individuals who enjoy working with and caring for animals, who are people-oriented, self-motivated, and dedicated to improving the welfare of animals in the shelter and in the community. LCAS is focused on creative and progressive life-saving through pet retention as well as animal adoption, mental health support through kennel enrichment, foster care and compassionate humane law enforcement. LCAS is dedicated to gold-standard animal sheltering and will be operating the first public animal shelter in the United States to meet 100% of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians Animal Shelter guidelines, giving staff a rare opportunity to be part of a comprehensive and cutting edge animal services team.
The successful candidate's primary function will be to help meet the daily health and welfare needs of the various types of animals in residence. These duties include:
Cleaning cat cages, dog kennels and small animal enclosuresFeeding and handling animals such as dogs, cats, exotics, horses, poultry, and reptiles. Administering preventative care and medications. And when necessary, performing euthanasia. As mental health is a critical component of comprehensive animal sheltering, the animal care team provides daily enrichment via our national award-winning Busy Buddies program, to ensure that the pets in our care stay physically and mentally healthy. Animal Care team members also provide counseling to potential adopters to promote the best matches and must be comfortable communicating with people with diverse pet ownership experiences.

Job Requirements
Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma/GED and at least one year of job-related experience.
Knowledge of and experience handling dogs, cats and other companion animals is required. Experience in a kennel or veterinary office is preferred. Must possess a valid driver's license. Spanish bilingual strongly preferred.

Special Requirements
Must have the ability to control large and potentially dangerous animals over 75 pounds and team lift animals weighing up to 100 lbs. Must be available to work all shifts, including mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays. Additionally, a rabies pre-exposure vaccination series will commence immediately upon hire, unless proof of prior vaccination is provided.
Although more than 93% of animals arriving at LCAS are placed, Animal Care Technicians do perform or assist with the euthanasia of animals that are deemed irredeemably suffering, dangerous, or are not treatable or manageable within the limitations of the shelter setting. Staff must obtain certification in euthanasia within six months of employment. Candidate will also be required to obtain certifications in CPR, First Aid, and Incident Command System 100 & 200 and attend ongoing trainings throughout the duration of employment. Valid driver's license required. Candidates may not have fears of, or allergies to, companion animals. Training for up to three months may be held at the facility in Waterford.

Post Conditional Offer Contingencies
Successful candidate will undergo criminal background check and physical examination, to include drug screening.