Lead Kennel Attendant
Position Title: Lead Kennel Attendant
Organization: Great Tails Animal Rescue
Employment Type: Part-Time
Compensation: $14.00 per hour, paid weekly
Hours: 7am-11am and 5pm-7:30pm Monday through Sunday
Position Overview:
Great Tails is seeking a compassionate, patient, and experienced Lead Kennel Attendant to support our intake team and the health, safety, and well-being of the dogs and cats in our care. This leadership role is ideal for someone who loves working hands-on with animals while also providing direction, training, and oversight to staff.
The Lead Kennel Attendant will work closely with the Great Tails Board to ensure a clean, healthy, and nurturing environment for every animal. Because many incoming animals arrive from a variety of backgrounds, often with unknown histories, the lead must model calm, steady handling skills and support intake specialists as they manage challenging or sensitive situations.
Key qualities for this position include strong compassion, excellent communication skills, sound judgment, and a deep commitment to animal welfare. The Lead Kennel Attendant plays a critical role not only in the care of the animals but also in ensuring that intake staff are well-supported, trained, and equipped to provide high-quality care.
This position helps set the tone for a safe, organized, and positive environment, guiding both animals and staff through the first steps of each animal’s journey toward stability, health, and a future forever home.
Please note: This position does not require veterinary technician certification.
Key Responsibilities:
Supervise and provide guidance to Kennel Attendants, ensuring all daily care tasks are completed effectively per the Kennel Attendant SOP and any additional guidance
Mentor and train intake staff on proper handling, exercise, and enrichment of dogs and cats
Oversee the cleaning and sanitizing of kennels, litter boxes, and common animal areas to maintain a healthy environment
Monitor the health, behavior, and well-being of all animals, and provide direction to staff on administering medications or reporting concerns
Assist with intake of new animals and serve as a point of support for staff managing animals with unknown or challenging backgrounds
Coordinate daily workflows and prioritize tasks to ensure smooth operations within the Intake Coordination Team
Liaise with the Great Tails Board regarding animal care, facility conditions, and staff needs
Model calm, patient, and compassionate handling for staff to follow, promoting a positive and safe environment for all animals
Requirements:
Ability to lift 50+ lbs
Comfortable handling large dogs weighing 100+ lbs
Ability to climb stairs regularly
Frequent bending and reaching
Ability to shovel snow and perform basic physical tasks as needed