Position: Cat Caretaker

Hourly Pay Rate: $11.00 – part-time

Work hours:  Various Shifts – MUST be able to work one weekend day (either Saturdays or Sundays)

Job Duties

• Cleaning all public areas of shelter on a daily basis to include the kitten rooms, lobby animals, adult cat rooms, Clinic (on weekends), cat kitchen, hallway, and isolation room.
• Daily cleaning includes, but is not limited to the scooping/cleaning of litter boxes, sweeping and mopping of all floors (including lobby and bathroom), spot cleaning all condos, changing bedding & linens as needed, spot cleaning any areas of vomit/feces, washing dirty litter boxes and dishes, washing and drying soiled laundry.
• Maintain a clean and organized work space. Promptly discard worn or torn linens, toys, food, or trash to minimize odors, transmittal of illness, and cluttered work areas.
• Every Monday, complete deep cleaning tasks which include vacuuming and disinfecting all cat trees and furniture, removing and replacing all bedding and linens, cleaning and disinfecting all walls and doors, cleaning water fountains.
• Monitor and observe all feline health needs and administer medications as prescribed by the shelter veterinarian. Communicate animal health concerns and needs to the veterinarian staff.  Safely and humanely move and/or relocate felines to the various areas of the shelter based on medical needs, behavioral issues, or animal crowding.
• Participate in cat enrichment exercises to improve the behavior and quality of life of cats.
• Assist potential adopters by answering questions about the animals, behaviors, and any known health issues. Recommend the adopters spend time with specific animals that may be a good match for the household. Provide information and educate visitors about the animals housed at the shelter. Provide direction and monitor the work performed by volunteers.
• Provide timely updates to the communication log book in cat kitchen to relay information to other caretakers, veterinary staff, and the executive director.
• Attend and participate in HSDC staff meetings, training sessions, or other administrative events as scheduled by management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• A current working knowledge of companion animal care and adoption issues, knowledge of transmittable disease in felines, zoonotic diseases, safe and humane animal handling procedures.
• Ability to properly handle and dispose of animal waste, hazardous chemicals/materials and sharp objects.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor both within the HSDC and the general public.
• Ability to approach HSDC staff, volunteers and the general public to openly discuss the shelter, its mission, and the animals in a friendly, open and professional manner.
• Must be reliable and dependable. The shelter animal’s health and welfare depend on your attendance.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Must successfully pass a background investigation.
• Electronic deposit (ACH) of paycheck is requested.

Physical demands and working environment

• Ability to work in an emotionally taxing field – a positive attitude and sense of humor are essential.

• Work is performed in an animal shelter. There is a potential for exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations, high noise levels, zoonotic diseases, animal waste, hazardous chemicals or chemical materials requiring OSHA Material Safety Data Sheets, anesthetics, sharp objects, and potential hostile persons and/or dangerous and fractious animals.

• Ability to multi-task in a constantly changing environment.

• Must be able to work assigned shift, including weekends, holidays or during emergencies.

• May be required to work long or unusual hours during peak operational needs.

• Ability to stay standing or active during entire shift; lift and carry objects and animals up to 25 pounds; lift, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push and other strenuous activities.

This position has a 90 day probationary period.

This is an at-will position.