Animal Care Technician at Loudoun County Government, VA

About the Department

Do you love animals and don’t mind getting your hands dirty? Loudoun County's Department of Animal Services (LCAS) is looking for energetic, enthusiastic applicants to join the animal care team at the Animal Services facility, located in Leesburg, Virginia. We are seeking individuals who enjoy working with and caring for animals and their people, who are self-motivated, and dedicated to improving the welfare of animals in the shelter and in the community.

LCAS is focused on creative and progressive lifesaving 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 operates 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.

Position Duties

As a member of the animal care team, you’ll be responsible for meeting the daily needs of all animals in our care which will include cleaning cat cages, dog kennels and small animal enclosures; feeding and handling animals such as dogs, cats, exotics, 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.

Hiring salary is commensurate with experience.

Minimum Qualifications

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 be 18 years of age or older and possess a valid driver's license. Spanish bilingual strongly preferred.

Other Qualifications

Successful candidate will undergo criminal background check and physical examination, to include drug screening. Valid driver's license required. 

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 and 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. Candidates may not have fears of, or allergies to, companion animals.