Animal Care Technician (2025 Salary)
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Animal Care Technician (2025 Salary)
Salary
$3,691.27 - $4,725.15 Monthly
Location
WA 98506, WA
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
2025-00064
Department
Animal Services
Division
Shelter Operations
Opening Date
12/29/2025
Closing Date
1/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Benefits
Questions
BASIC PURPOSE
Reporting to the Animal Services Operations Manager, the Animal Care Technician is responsible for performing preventative animal health care duties, assisting the Animal Care Manager with a variety of shelter care duties, and providing oversight to shelter volunteers.
Presents a positive, enthusiastic, and professional image when representing Joint Animal Services internally and externally. Models and promotes a diverse and inclusive staff culture that is friendly and outgoing, collaborative, and free of judgment.
Please note: The Hiring Manager reserves the right to make changes to this posting at any time.
First round interviews are tentatively scheduled for January 27, 2026.
Second round interview are tentatively scheduled for February 3, 2026 and/or February 6, 2026.
This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next six (6) months.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
These duties include but are not limited to the following:
Feeds and waters animals in accordance with prescribed diets and instructions for the species.
Prepare animal quarters in accordance with specified procedures. Cleans and/or sterilizes cages, runs, and surrounding premises including walls, floors, and food preparation areas.
Performs preventive animal health care duties such as, but not limited to, grooming, bathing, nail trimming, and inoculations treatment for internal and external parasites.
Prepares animals for adoption by performing duties such as, but not limited to, writing/creating animal profiles, implementation of microchip, and updating vaccinations or other medical items.
Works with the Animal Care Manager to implement industry best practice programs that keep Animal Services as a leader within the animal welfare community, such as Standards of Care, Capacity for Care, Fear Free for Shelters, etc.
Transfers animals from soiled to clean enclosures making sure to maintain individual animal identity.
Operates commercial washer and dryer; sorts and distributes laundry, animal bedding, collars, etc.
Observes animals for abnormalities and reports early manifestations of disease to the Animal Services Operations Manager.
Maintains records related to feeding, care, animal identification, and ongoing medical treatments as needed.
Maintains and rotates food supplies and tracks usage of supplies and report shortages to the Animal Services Operations Manager. Evaluates, sorts, and distributes any donated animal goods.
Evaluates and communicates animal health and behavior issues to the public and to supervisory staff.
Euthanizes or assists in euthanizing animals according to established procedures, including documentation required by the Drug Enforcement Administration and all record entries.
Performs basic laboratory diagnostic tests such as feline leukemia, feline aids, and parvo virus, and records the results. Administers medications orally and/or topically.
Oversees volunteers.
Assist with transporting of animals to veterinary clinics, rescues, and other shelters.
Provides support to fosters within our foster program, and provide behavior enrichment to animals in the care of the shelter.
May run a variety of commercial equipment and perform basic kennel repair.
Coordinate or assist with our rescue partner program.
Other duties as assigned
Cross trains in front desk duties including but not limited to adoption, dispatching, processing reclaims, trap loans, answering phones, and interfacing with the public.
Performs shelter, office, and outdoor clean-up when necessary (for example: general cleaning, pressure washing, lawn mowing, supply organization, etc.).
Provides back-up to shelter staff as necessary.
QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
H.S. Diploma or G.E.D. AND one (1) year of experience performing animal care related activities in a veterinary or shelter setting.
OR
College level course work in business administration, communications, biology, animal science or related field, may be substituted for the year of required experience so long as the candidate was able to perform the essential functions of the position.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSE(S)
Must pass a thorough background investigation and successfully complete reference checks.
Must be certified in euthanasia procedures and in legend drugs or have the ability to obtain certification within one (1) year from date of hire.
Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation
Must be attentive to job safety considerations and follows all required safety policies, procedures and techniques.
Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
Must possess a valid WA state driver's license at time of hire OR must obtain within 30 days from date of hire, and must have a driving record acceptable to the City and the City's insurance carrier.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Animal behavior, health and care.
Animal environment management and procedures.
The use of software programs (word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, etc.)
General office procedures.
Skill in:
Operation and use of computers.
Ability to:
Demonstrate professionalism.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, co-workers, volunteers, and the general public.
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computers.
Handle impounded animals safely and humanely.
Participate in the euthanasia of animals.
Complete tasks in a timely manner.
Physically perform manual labor.
Perform light maintenance and repair work.
Operate a variety of commercial equipment.
Work outdoors in all weather conditions.
The City of Lacey understands the importance of benefits and offers a competitive and full benefits package for all regular full-time employees.
Generally, represented employees may receive some, or all, of the benefits listed below, based on their union contracts. Those employees should consult their union agreements for specific information about their benefits, which can be found on the City web page here (http://www.ci.lacey.wa.us/city-government/city-departments/human-resources/union-contracts-and-policies) .
Medical Insurance Benefits:
Medical - Choice of Regence BlueShield (PPO) or Kaiser Permanente (HMO) plans offered through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Trust.
The employer pays 100% of employee's monthly premiums and 90% of qualified dependent/domestic partner's premiums.
Vision - VSP with low co-pays
Dental - Choice of Willamette or Delta Dental plans and orthodontia coverage.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Program that provides resources to employees, their immediate family (including dependent children) and anyone living in the employee's household. The EAP can provide help with matters such as stress/anxiety, parenting, grief, workplace issues, legal services, financial services, and more.
Life Insurance & Long Term Disability & Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Employer paid life insurance plan
Employer paid long term disability plan
Employer paid accidental death and dismemberment plan
Leave Benefits:
Vacation (which increases with years of service)
96 Hours Vacation on Accrual Basis for Non-Represented Non-Supervisory Employees, LPOG Represented Employees
128 Hours Vacation on Accrual Basis After Second Year of Employment for LPMA Represented Employees & LPSMA Represented Employees
135 Hours Vacation on Accrual Basis for Non-Represented Supervisor or Management Employees
11 Paid Holidays
Floating Holidays
2 Floating Holidays for Non-Represented Employees & LPSMA Represented Employees
1 Floating Holiday for LPOG & LPMA Represented Employees
8 Hours Sick Leave on Accrual Basis Per Month
Jury Duty/Military Leave
Bereavement Leave
*All benefits and accruals outlined in collective bargaining agreements can be found here: Policies, Union Contracts, Pay & Benefits - City of Lacey (https://cityoflacey.org/union-contracts-policies-pay/)
Investment and Retirement Programs:
State retirement pension plan - Includes employer paid contributions to the State of Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)
457 Deferred Compensation (voluntary)- two options MissionSquare and DRS
Social Security benefit (for Public Employee Retirement Systems (PERS) covered staff) - Our Employee Benefits include employer paid contributions to Social Security and Employees pay the employee portion of Social Security tax.
HRA/VEBA plan- A designated monthly amount (a City and/or employee contribution) is paid into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) VEBA account. An HRA is a @type of health plan savings account for your family's medical care expenses and premiums, which can be accessed during employment with the City or saved and used at separation or retirement.
1% Benefit - Employer provides a 1% contribution of your monthly salary pre-tax towards two options; 1) applied to insurance premium amount owed for dependent coverage or invested into a 457 deferred compensation account; OR a cash disbursement amount applied to your check monthly but the amount is taxed.
Voluntary Benefits:
Optional plans for additional life insurance, disability, and accident coverage
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan - employees can contribute pre-tax contributions toward IRS allowed, qualifying medical and/or daycare expenses.
Wellness Program:
The City has a robust employee Wellness program that offers a variety of resources and activities for employee well-being.
Flexible Working Arrangements:
In recognition of Commute Trip reduction efforts, the City of Lacey provides flexible and alternative work schedules for many of our workforce positions.
City Hall is within minutes driving from I-5 Exit 108, and within walking/biking distance from Park and Ride Transit Martin Way Location and the Chehalis Western Trail.
Tuition Reimbursement:
The City promotes a learning environment and encourages opportunities for employees to continue to grow in their positions and careers. The City offers tuition reimbursement (as outline in City Personnel Policies) for eligible employees.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF):
Employees are also eligible to apply to The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. This program is a United States government program that was created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 to provide indebted professionals a way out of their federal student loan debt burden by working full-time in public service.
*Note: Regular part-time employees may be eligible for pro-rated benefits (medical/dental/vision) depending on the hours of work assigned to the position. Their spouses and dependents are not eligible for health insurance coverage.
