Position Announcements

Join our team and help the animals of the Washington, DC area! The following are our current openings. If you are interested in working with us, please see "To Apply" at bottom of page. Thank you for considering employment with WHS.

Available Positions:

Animal Care Manager
The Animal Care Manager would oversee all aspects of the animal care and handling and support the day-to-day activities at our District of Columbia Animal Shelter. The Animal Care Manager would be required to manage the kennel and cattery areas, supervising full- and part-time animal caretakers and oversees hiring and training of all animal care staff. The Animal Care Manager would instruct appropriate staff in euthanasia and the administration of animal vaccines and other drugs and keep inventory and orders supplies pertaining to animal care. Also this individual would be responsible for the care, handling, and if necessary, euthanasia of any animal housed at the shelter.

Professional mindset, proven desire to take initiative, and be a team player. This person must have the ability to multi-task and handle fast-paced, demanding initiatives. Possess a knowledge of what it means to account for Customer, Animal and People needs in the execution of a project and the ability to develop and recommend project management procedures, systems or resources that will ensure smooth project implementation. Customer Service experience with ability to effectively manage expectations is a must. Must have a professional, clear, confident communication abilities (verbal, written) to all levels of customers, as well as internal and external organizations.

Requirements: College degree in animal husbandry or related field. May substitute extensive experience in animal care and handling for college credits. Minimum 3 years experience working at an animal shelter, boarding kennel, or other facility where animals are housed. Must be able to work one or both weekend days and be available to answer staff questions on an "on call" basis. Will be required to successfully complete euthanasia certification and be certified as proficient in the administration of animal vaccines and medications.

Minimum requirements- College degree in business administration or related field. May substitute work experience for college credits. Minimum one year experience working with animals. Must be able to work one or both weekend days and be responsible to answer DCAC staff questions on an "on call" basis. A security clearance must be made available prior to confirmation of employment.

Behavior/Training Councilor
The Behavioral / Training Counselor would be responsible for the temperament testing, training, and enrichment of shelter animals. The Counselor’s duties would be to conduct morning check of all shelter animal behavior concerns and documenting and reporting any behavior abnormalities of the shelter animals. Performing evaluations and behavioral assessments on all of animals for foster/rescue placement and adoptions and reporting findings of behavioral assessments through oral and written communication. Assist Director with orientations and special WHS projects along with assisting in training of new department staff on all aspects of department responsibilities. Plans and executes events for Meow Mixers, Seminars, and all Behavior and Training Department functions. Provide enrichment activities for all shelter animals.
Maintain volunteer trainer board with appropriate updates and work with and train volunteer trainers. This candidate would be responsible for administrative and clerical duties set forth by the department. This includes, but is not limited to, website updates, brochure and handout design, payment/donation, Petpoint transactions, and maintenance of volunteer and public database systems.

Minimum requirements would be 3 years experience working at an animal shelter, boarding kennel, or other facility where animals are housed. Must be able to work one or both weekend days and be available to answer staff questions on an "on call" basis. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Will be required to successfully complete euthanasia certification and be certified as proficient in the administration of animal vaccines and medications

Transport Driver
Responsible for transport of animals between shelters, pick-up sites and the clinic, including scheduling of transportation and maintenance of vehicle. Drivers needed for both morning and evening shifts. This is a permanent part-time job.

Responsibilites:

General transporting:
1. Coordinate with partner shelters and organizations for pick-up and delivery each week; accommodate groups special needs if possible. This required good written and oral communication skills.
2. Be punctual for pick-ups; if unavoidably late, advise by phone.
3. Check client’s transport list to ensure all animals intended for transport (and only animals intended for transport) are on transport, and that there is a signed admission form for each animal.
4. Be careful and gentle with animals in loading and unloading.
5. Make sure all animals are in the correct crates and crates are closed.
6. Secure all crates in back of transport vehicle.
7. Unload animals at the clinic on arrival and see them safely in their cages
8. Assist vet techs in weighing and checking in animals
9. Make sure all animals are on return delivery (check-off on transport list).
10. Advise coordinator at deliver location of estimated arrival and be punctual for pick-ups; if unavoidably late, advise by phone.
11. Drive defensively with care and caution; observe speed limits and all good driving rules.

1. Clean and sanitize the animal compartment of vehicle each day after morning delivery to the clinic and after the evening drop off to clients.
2. Clean the exterior and driver compartment of vehicle on a regular basis.
3. Responsible for maintenance of the vehicle on a regular basis; breakdowns jeopardize the animals and cause unnecessary delays.
Hours :

Morning shift: 5:30 am – 10:30 am
Evening shift: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
These are estimated hours. More or fewer hours may be required depending on daily workload.

Requirments: High school degree required. Good oral and written communication skills. Valid driver’s license and spotless driving record. Good animal handling skills. Well organized and attentive to details.

Volunteer Mobile Adoption Center Driver
The Volunteer RV Driver would be responsible for the transportation of all WHS animals for events and programs. The Volunteer is required to drive 34-foot Washington Humane Society (WHS) mobile adoption center (recreational vehicle - RV) to and from occasional weekday and weekend adoption events – daytime and evening. Must have experience with similar vehicles. Must be able to participate in training on vehicle for driving will include both city and highway. Any other duties as assigned by a supervisor.

Requirments: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Must be animal-friendly and physically able to handle a friendly and large dog on leash, and cannot have animal allergies (dogs or cats). Must be able to submit information for background criminal and driving record's check.

Front Desk Assistant (Full-Time, Non-Exempt)
Assist the public in resolving a wide range of animal-related complaints and calls for assistance using a variety of strategies. General office duties include: answering telephones, completing reports, filing, and computer data entry; educating the public on the responsibility of companion animal ownership; explaining provisions of the D.C. Animal Control Act to the public; dispatching calls to Animal Control Officers in the field (who respond to calls for assistance or complaints); providing prompt, courteous service to people inquiring about shelter policies and programs; assisting in completion of adoption applications; receiving and processing animals surrendered at the shelter; preparing samples to be sent to the laboratory for rabies testing; and may include assisting in or actually performing animal euthanasia (with proper training). Front Desk Assistants report to the Front Desk Manager, and must successfully complete a basic training program.

Specific duties:
• Assist with duties required for surgery preparation
• Assist with intake and discharge of public and shelter animals into the Clinic
• Assist in maintaining all equipment in surgery to insure function and safety
• Assist with animal anesthetic recovery and follow-up care
• Assist with cleaning and packing surgical instruments
• Verify animal identification information prior to surgery
• Assist in screening animals for other medical conditions prior to surgery
• Perform surgery prep, clipping, tattooing and scrubbing as needed
• Run autoclave as needed
• Assist in administering appropriate tests, medical care and medication
• Assist with vaccinations and other appropriate injections as needed
• Assist with ordering and maintaining inventory of medical supplies
• All other duties as necessary

Contacts: Reports to Spay Neuter Program Manager. Works directly with Veterinary Technician, veterinarian, clinic staff, shelter staff, volunteers and general public.

Job conditions: Professional exposure risks include, but are not limited to: consistent handling of animals during the shift that may be fractious or incoherent from anesthesia. Environment is conducive to injury from needles, scalpels and bites. Moderate noise environment, lots of lifting (over 50 lbs) and bending. Use and possible exposure to irritating and/or toxic chemicals.

Minimum qualifications: One (1) year medical, veterinary or animal care experience. High school graduate or equivalent. Excellent oral communication skills (English). Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment with positive attitude and in agreement with WHS mission to end overpopulation of animals in the DC Metro area. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs unassisted regularly; lift 50+ lbs on occasion. Reliable transportation. Shelter experience a plus.

To apply for any position listed above, please send resume, letter of interest (including salary expectations) and , for non-exempt positions, a completed printout of the online job application.

Via e-mail:
humanresources@washhumane.org
(Please include position title in subject line)

Via fax:
202-723-5409
Attention: Human Resources

Via mail:
Washington Humane Society
Human Resources Department
7319 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20012

You may apply in person by completing an application at our shelter during the hours of
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday or 11:00 AM to 3:00 Saturday and Sunday.

Please stop by:
7319 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20012

No phone calls please.