Care & Enrichment Technician

at  ASPCA

SUMMARY:

Given the recent devastation in the Asheville area due to hurricane Helene please expect delays in the hiring process for this role. While we hope to have updates soon, right now we are focused on supporting staff, animals, and the local community impacted by the recent storm. If you have questions or need any support in the meantime, please reach out to the ASPCA’s Talent Acquisition Team directly at careers@aspca.org.
The ASPCA’s Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) in Weaverville, NC, is the first and only facility dedicated to the rehabilitation and study of extremely fearful, undersocialized dogs, such as those confiscated from puppy mills and hoarding situations. The goal of the entire BRC team is to work together to improve these dogs’ quality of life and prepare them for life in adoptive homes-an impossible outcome without intensive, structured behavioral interventions and integrative holistic care.
This key role at the BRC includes providing daily care, cleaning and enrichment for the animals in treatment at our facility in Asheville, NC. The goal of the Rehab Center is to provide behavioral interventions for dogs who are so behaviorally compromised that they suffer from a poor quality of life and cannot be placed in a home without rehabilitation. Critical to their success at the BRC is their ability to stay healthy while in the facility.
The Care and Enrichment Technicians (CETs), who comprise a team of 8 in total, work together to provide daily care and enrichment, perform low stress handling and husbandry, closely monitor and report signs of medical and behavioral change and keep all animal care areas stocked with supplies. The CETs also prepare and provide daily enrichment items to keep dogs engaged and reduce stress, facilitate playgroups, and assist the behavior staff as requested with specific parts of the interventions. One of the most critical functions of the CETs is to serve as part of a harmonious, united team of shelter operations, shelter medicine and animal behavior experts, all dedicated to collaborating with each other to provide balanced, holistic care.
This position is based in Weaverville, near Asheville, NC, and will report to the BRC’s Senior Manager, Care and Enrichment. There will be no direct reports.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Always treats people and animals with care and respect; must be a compassionate caregiver for animals and have a genuine interest in working with others maintains a consistently positive attitude; must enjoy working directly with people; respects team members at all levels
• Cultivates a climate in which individual differences and perspectives are valued, respected, encouraged and supported
• Forms authentic, trusting relationships which enhance individual and team performance
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Meticulous organizational skills; pays close attention to detail
• Must enjoy keeping animals and kennels clean
• Ability to skillfully restrain, lift, and handle animals in stressful conditions
• Ability to work closely with behaviorally compromised animals and feel comfortable working in an environment where euthanasia is performed on a regular basis
• Interest in working with undersocialized dogs with extreme fear issues
• Must be willing to work in an environment with potentially extreme temperature changes and weather conditions as well as exposure to chemical and biological hazards, such as feces and blood.
• Displays care and concern for the safety and well-being of self, animals and others, especially during stressful times
• Must be able to lift up to 100 lbs with assistance, carry up to 50 lbs, and have the physical capacity to bend, crawl, reach overhead, kneel and repetitively use hands to meet the physical demands of this position
• Flexible and willing to attend mandatory staff meetings and training classes that may not occur during regular work hours.
• Ability to work on weekends and holidays.
• Must provide a valid driver’s license upon hire and pass a motor vehicle history check demonstrating a safe driving history.

OUR EEO POLICY:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.
Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

QUALIFICATIONS:

See above for qualifications details.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE:

High School Diploma (Required)

OUR EEO POLICY:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.
Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.
ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

ABOUT US:

The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.
The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.
The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.
At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.
Applicants that are residents of Colorado: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information (i.e., age, DOB, attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution) on an initial employment application; this includes any age-related inquiries in the initial interview. We are permitted to require/request additional application materials; if those materials contain any age-related information, an applicant may redact the information before submitting an initial employment application

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to: