Join Our Team

Are you looking for a rewarding leadership position in a diverse, vibrant, affordable city, where creativity and a culture of continuous improvement drives organizational culture? PAWS is seeking a Medical Director to lead our delivery of veterinary services, and to play an instrumental role in achieving our ultimate goal of making Philadelphia a no-kill city. As the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable basic veterinary care for community pets, our passionate team works every day to end pet homelessness and to provide top-quality care to dogs and cats with medical and surgical needs who would otherwise not have a chance.

This is a hybrid position: our Medical Director can typically expect to have the flexibility to work from a remote office up to one day per week. While onsite, the Medical Director will work from PAWS’ Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood and make occasional visits to PAWS’ Northeast Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Northeast Philadelphia. The Medical Director has both clinical responsibilities (approximately 60%) and administrative responsibilities (approximately 40%). Clinical responsibilities include: performing HQHVSN surgeries and additional specialty surgeries as needed, conducting routine wellness and sick visits for pets whose owners rely on PAWS for affordable care, performing examinations and determining treatment plans for our in-house and foster population of rescued animals, and consulting and collaborating with specialty veterinary partners on special cases. Administrative responsibilities include: upholding and updating PAWS’ current medical procedures and protocols in keeping with industry best practices; establishing new protocols as needed; providing insight and oversight for in-house and foster animals with complex medical or surgical needs; and, leading and mentoring a cohesive and productive medical staff in partnership with all members of leadership.

The Medical Director acts as a liaison among multiple departments within the organization to ensure optimal treatment and outcomes for animals who come into PAWS’ care. Therefore, successful candidates must have excellent interpersonal, communication, and decision-making skills and be able to work well with staff with widely varying levels of medical knowledge. The ability to think practically about community-driven medical care, balancing animal welfare and “gold standard” practices with cost and reasonable outcomes, is essential.

Responsibilities:

— In collaboration with the Director of Operations, upholding, updating, and developing protocols and policies related to the treatment and care of shelter and client-owned animals

— Assisting in the development of a strong, qualified, and cohesive medical staff

— Finding and/or supporting opportunities to conserve and raise funds and in-kind donations, including working with the Veterinary Technician Manager on building partnerships with vendors and local full service and specialty veterinary practices, and keeping the communications and development teams apprised of special cases for grants and fundraising opportunities. 

— Working with the Veterinary Technician Manager and Lead Surgery Technician to ensure that all clinical and surgical equipment is maintained in safe working order and overseeing inventory and ordering of medical equipment. 

— Providing oversight regarding the care and placement of PAWS shelter animals

— Holding the DEA license for PAWS’ Grays Ferry facility and maintaining accurate and complete controlled substance records as required by law

— Providing excellent veterinary care for all animals in PAWS’ facilities, both rescued and publicly owned, and ensuring the safe, sanitary and humane treatment of animals in PAWS’ care in accordance with established professional standards and requirements, applicable laws and regulations

— Conducting routine wellness and sick visits for pets whose owners rely on PAWS for affordable care, including communicating empathetically with owners about the treatment options available. 

— Performing high-volume, high-quality sterilization surgery on publicly owned and rescued/foster animals

— Performing specialized surgeries and procedures as needed and appropriate, including: mass removals, triage dentals, enucleations, entropion repair, amputations, and other procedures to prepare rescued animals for adoption

— Consulting and collaborating with specialty veterinary partners on special cases

— Providing “on-call” services as needed for medical consultation and emergencies

Educational and Licensure Requirements:

— Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent from an accredited university. 

— Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Veterinary license with no history of complaints or disciplinary action.

— Valid DEA license, or ability to obtain one, with no history of complaints or disciplinary action.

Additional Requirements:

— A minimum of 3 years’ experience in supervisory roles with demonstrated success in leading a team.

— A minimum of 5 years’ of experience with HQHVSN surgery, as well as other soft tissue and specialty surgeries.

— A minimum of 5 years’ of clinical experience with health conditions common in shelter populations and community medicine settings.

— A self-starter who is organized, innovative, flexible, and passionate about PAWS’ goals and objectives.

— Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail.

— Outgoing, patient, empathetic, mature, and able to get along well with a culturally diverse community.

— Good judgment and strong problem-solving ability, identifying tasks that need to be accomplished and prioritizing appropriately, and working independently with minimal supervision and direction.

— Ability to manage and accommodate varied work assignments and schedules.

— Comfort and experience with Google and Microsoft applications. PAWS uses a variety of web-based software that veterinarians must be comfortable learning to use on a daily basis for managing client care.

Benefits of PAWS employment: 

— Competitive salary and retention bonus.

— Moving stipend considered for outstanding out-of-state applicants.

— Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

— 9am – 5pm schedule, with limited on-call duties. 

— Medical, dental, and prescription insurance coverage.

— 401(k) plan with employer matching.

— Nine (9) paid holidays off (the shelter is closed).

— Paid time off (PTO).

— Yearly Continuing Education allowance, and up to four paid days off to attend conferences/participate in CE.

— Veterinary Medical Malpractice Liability coverage. 

— VIN membership.

— Pennsylvania bi-annual license renewal fees.

— DEA license renewal fees.

— Free and heavily discounted clinic services, lab work and medications for your personal pets.

— Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

— Voluntary benefits (long- and short-term disability, life, and accident insurance).

Interested?
For a full job description, or more information, please email Natalie Smith, Director of Operations, at natalie@phillypaws.org.

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

PAWS, the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, is seeking an accomplished, resourceful, and compassionate leader dedicated to providing accessible veterinary care and advancing PAWS’ mission to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home, and every pet owner has the support they need to keep their family whole.

General Position Summary:
The Director of Clinic Operations (DCO) plays a vital role in maximizing the positive impact that PAWS’ clinics make in the communities we serve. The DCO is responsible for ensuring efficient, accessible, and sustainable clinic operations, including maximizing scheduling capacity based on staff resources, and demonstrating and upholding high standards of veterinary care and customer service. The DCO works in collaboration with other departments to ensure optimal treatment and outcomes for all animals who come into PAWS’ care, fosters a sense of teamwork in a positive, productive, and inclusive workplace environment, and embodies PAWS’ values. As a member of PAWS’ leadership team, the DCO collaborates with directors and managers across the organization to shape PAWS’ strategic goals and develop short- and long-term actionable plans to achieve them.

Management Duties:

Directly supervise veterinary technicians and manage the Customer Service Manager and Northeast Clinic Manager in: 

— Ensuring a strong workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, and growth, as well as organizational health:
— Set high standards of conduct, hold staff accountable for their performance, offer praise and constructive criticism as appropriate to elicit each staff member’s best work, and take disciplinary action as needed in accordance with PAWS’ employment policies.
— Develop and implement thoughtful onboarding and training processes to ensure new staff members are welcomed onto the team, knowledgeable about their role and responsibilities, and integrated into the organization as a whole.
— Lead and mentor PAWS’ team of veterinary technicians, defining their roles, assessing and building their skills, and identifying opportunities for growth.
— Identify and coordinate continuing education and training needs and opportunities.
— Assist in screening, interviewing, and vetting candidates as needed.
— Provide coaching and mentoring to managers on leadership and staff management
— Offer guidance and support to managers in conducting probationary period and annual performance reviews, and conduct managers’ annual reviews and additional counseling as needed, with an eye toward nurturing talent and developing leadership.
— Foster open communication and solicit regular feedback in an effort to understand concerns, receive input and ideas, and proactively address issues.

Ensuring surgical, clinic, and shelter medicine appointments and staff are scheduled appropriately, services are maximized and delivered efficiently, and customer concerns and complaints are addressed promptly and effectively.

— Set the schedule for veterinarians and veterinary technicians at PAWS’ Grays Ferry location.
— Receive communication from direct reports who are unable to make their shift or running late and adjust schedule as needed, ideally preventing the cancellation of services.
— Identify opportunities to improve and streamline operations and develop plans to effectively implement them.
— Empower client care staff to appropriately triage requests for medical care, identifying needs that are within our scope of services and referring other cases elsewhere.
— Meet weekly with the managers to review service schedules/capacity, check in on project progress, and troubleshoot challenges.
— Handle customer concerns that require additional or further management involvement.

Work with the Customer Service Manager, Northeast Clinic Manager, Medical Director, and staff veterinarians to shape, create, uphold, and communicate policies, procedures, and protocols for:

Client service interactions that:
—  promote a hospitality-first approach that is judgment-free and trauma-informed;
—  meet high standards for customer service; and,
—  enable ease of access to services by the community

Medical services that:
— facilitate the provision of quality veterinary care;
— ensure the safe, sanitary and humane treatment of animals in PAWS’ care;
— provide for disease control according to best practices and follow established professional standards and requirements, and applicable laws and regulations; and,
— protect the inventory of medications, drugs and treatment supplies.

Facilities that are secure, maintained, inviting and clean.

— Develop and maintain relationships within the local veterinary community to build partnerships and coordinate care for animals rescued by PAWS needing specialized and emergency medicine outside the scope of what PAWS’ medical team can provide.
 — Develop and maintain full knowledge of software programs utilized by PAWS’ clinics (primarily/currently ClinicHQ) to:
        —  ensure they are utilized to their fullest potential by training staff on new or under-used functions;
        —  implement unutilized functionalities to improve staff and client experience; and,
        —  identify alternatives if current programs are deemed inadequate.
— Work collaboratively with the veterinary and shelter leadership teams – including coordinating and convening quarterly meetings – to share ideas and foster communication, engagement, and understanding across departments, ensure PAWS’ clinic services and policies are in keeping with trends and best practices in community veterinary medicine, maximize PAWS’ lifesaving ability, and meet program goals.
— As part of the leadership team, help establish clear goals and performance metrics for the clinics, reporting on and analyzing progress on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis to identify trends and challenges and make adjustments accordingly.
— In collaboration with the Executive Director, working within established budgets to manage medical and administrative costs; planning for department needs including staffing, equipment, and inventory.
— Serve as the primary contact for medical supply, service, and equipment vendors, and, in partnership with the Executive Director, review product and service costs annually and as vendors announce them and implement price increases when appropriate/necessary.
— Ensure proper record keeping and cash management procedures are in place and followed

Liaison to PetSmart Charities (average of 1-2 hours per week):

— With the Executive Director, take a lead role in representing PAWS, which is a member of the first Accelerator Grant cohort, during the remaining two years of our four-year grant period (2025-2026).
— Engage in strategic conversations with and provide updates to Petsmart Charities leaders, and discuss operations, approaches, successes, and challenges with fellow cohort members.
— Analyze data and audit operations to determine opportunities to make PAWS’ clinic services more accessible to the community, to increase capacity, and to enhance sustainability.
— Share knowledge gained from cohort discussions and internal analysis with clinic staff, and solicit input from staff that can inform additional opportunities for growth and improvement.

Required skills and qualities:

— At least five years’ management experience in the veterinary field, including supervising staff and coaching on performance and accountability.
— At least three years’ experience in hospital operations and process/efficiency improvement.
— At least three years’ experience in managing team leads/managers, with demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
— Commitment to PAWS’ mission to keep families together by providing excellent, accessible veterinary care to pet owners who may not be able to afford it otherwise, and to provide lifesaving opportunities to stray and surrendered animals, with the ultimate goal of a loving home for every savable pet.
— Commitment to and embodiment of PAWS’ values of urgency, volume, quality of care, approachability, leadership, and organizational health.
— Ability to handle all animals properly and with compassion, including those who are sick, injured, feral or aggressive, and to promote a humane and caring attitude toward all animals.
— Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
— Empathy, patience, an outgoing nature, and the ability to get along well with a variety of people.
— Ability to think strategically and execute effectively, while being flexible and innovative as needs and opportunities arise.
— Strong analytical skills with experience in data-driven decision making.
— Maturity, strong sense of leadership, and ability to take initiative and problem-solve, identifying and prioritizing tasks appropriately, and working independently with minimal supervision and direction.
— Ability to maintain a calm, professional, and respectful demeanor at all times when dealing with the public, even in stressful situations.
— Computer proficient in Microsoft Office and Google products.
— Proficient in, or willingness to become proficient in, the various shelter and clinic management systems utilized by PAWS (Clinic HQ, ShelterLuv, Airtable, and others).

Educational Requirements:

— Post-secondary education in veterinary practice management and related concentrations strongly preferred.
— BA/BS strongly preferred.
— CVT/LVT license a plus.
— Fear-Free Certification a plus.

Physical Requirements:

— Allergic conditions that would be aggravated when exposed to animals may be a disqualification.

Hours:

This is an exempt position. PAWS is open seven days a week. A minimum of 40 hours per week is required, typically including one weekend day. Daily schedule and hours may vary according to the needs of the organization. Depending on staff and operational needs, this position may have the flexibility to work from a remote office of their choosing up to one day per week. While onsite, the DCO will work from PAWS’ Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood and from PAWS’ Northeast Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Northeast Philadelphia. Please note that, as PAWS operates seven days per week and this position is responsible for the smooth functioning of both clinics, the DCO must be available to field callouts and make schedule adjustments as needed, in collaboration with managers at each facility.

Benefits:

— Medical insurance and prescription coverage through Independence Blue Cross (two medical plans to choose from); PAWS pays majority of premiums
— Dental insurance through MetLife; PAWS pays majority of premium
— 401(k) plan with employer matching, administered by TransAmerica
— 9 paid holidays per year
— Generous paid time off (PTO)
— Free and heavily discounted clinic services, lab work, prescription diets, and medications for your own pets
— Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through HealthAdvocate
— Voluntary benefits (long- and short-term disability, life, and accident insurance) through Colonial Life

Direct Supervisor:
Executive Director

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS saves and finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need. Through its two low-cost, high-volume spay/neuter and wellness clinics, PAWS serves approximately 28,000 animals each year, enabling families to keep their cherished pets and preventing shelter surrenders. PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

PAWS, the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, is seeking a strategic, experienced, resourceful, and compassionate human resources professional dedicated to advancing PAWS’ mission to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home, and every pet owner has the support they need to keep their family whole.

General Position Summary:
By leading its HR operations and initiatives and cultivating, supporting, and strengthening our team, the Human Resources Manager (HRM) plays a vital role in maximizing the positive impact that PAWS makes in the communities we serve. The HRM is responsible for managing the full scope of PAWS’ HR functions, including recruitment, succession planning, organizational culture evaluation and improvement, employee handbook updates, and supporting managers in the performance review and employee coaching process. As a member of PAWS’ leadership team, the HRM collaborates with directors and managers across the organization to foster a positive, productive, and inclusive workplace environment, aligning talent strategies with organizational goals, and ensuring a strong organizational culture that embodies PAWS’ values and prioritizes employee and organizational well-being and growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead organizational recruiting and onboarding processes.
—Partner with managers to ensure talent acquisition aligns with organizational needs, goals, and culture.
— Develop and implement effective recruitment strategies to attract top talent across various functions.
— Utilize data-driven insights to improve recruitment processes and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion.
— Oversee and manage the entire recruitment cycle, from identifying staffing needs to screening, vetting, and onboarding new employees.
— Develop and implement thoughtful onboarding and training processes to ensure new staff members are welcomed onto the team, knowledgeable about their role and responsibilities, and integrated into the organization as a whole.

Assist managers with employee performance reviews, counseling, coaching, and disciplinary action.
— Help establish clear performance metrics and goals for employees, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and a performance review and counseling process that is fair, transparent, and focuses on employee strengths and areas for improvement.
— Ensure effective and timely performance reviews are performed for all staff by their direct supervisors, providing guidance and support to managers in conducting reviews as needed.
— Assist managers in identifying areas for employee development and in setting up coaching or mentoring plans to foster growth, nurture talent, and develop leadership in line with the organization’s goals.
— Offer resources and strategies to managers to improve their skills in giving constructive feedback and managing performance effectively.
— Set high standards of conduct, holding staff accountable for their performance, offering praise and constructive criticism as appropriate to elicit each staff member’s best work, and taking disciplinary action as needed in accordance with PAWS’ employment policies.

Work collaboratively as part of the leadership team to foster a strong workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, and growth, as well as organizational health.
— Foster open communication and solicit feedback through regular surveys, focus groups, and one-on-one meetings to evaluate organizational culture, understand concerns, receive input, and share ideas.
— Utilize assessments to proactively address issues and develop actionable plans to enhance employee satisfaction and retention, and strengthen a positive, productive, and inclusive workplace with understanding across departments.
— Effectively resolve conflicts among staff members through individual and group discussion as appropriate.

Develop and manage a robust succession planning process to identify and nurture high-potential talent for future leadership roles.
— Collaborate with senior leadership to assess organizational needs and develop actionable plans for employee development and growth.

Administer and develop PAWS’ payroll, time management, and benefits programs.
— Process biweekly payroll, ensuring accuracy and addressing scheduling/compensation issues as they arise.
— Ensure staff members are aware of and utilizing available benefits available, process enrollments and updates as needed, and serve as the primary contact for questions or needed assistance.
— Assess benefit programs and plans annually (or more often if needed) to ensure they meet PAWS’ needs in terms of quality, appropriateness, and cost, and evaluate and recommend alternatives as needed.
— Identify new benefits that are desired by staff or should be considered based on industry standards or trends, collect proposals, and evaluate and recommend.

Review, maintain, and update PAWS’ employee handbook.
— In collaboration with the Executive Director and outside experts as needed, ensure PAWS’ employee handbook properly and thoroughly addresses workplace conduct, attendance and disciplinary policies, and other essential topics.
— Regularly review and update the employee handbook to ensure it remains in compliance with legal standards and best practices.
— Ensure that company policies and procedures are clear, equitable, and aligned with organizational values.
— Communicate updates to employees and provide training or resources as needed to ensure all employees understand and are adhering to new and revised policies and procedures.

Qualifications:
— Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field (Master’s and/or SHRM certification preferred).
— Minimum of 5 years’ progressive HR leadership experience, with a strong background in recruitment, employee development, and organizational culture management.
— Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace
— Proven experience in leading succession planning initiatives and creating strategies for talent development.
— Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication, organizational, and customer service skills.
— Deep understanding of labor laws, HR best practices, and employee relations.
— Ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership to drive organizational change and improvement.

Additional required skills and qualities:
— Commitment to PAWS’ mission to keep families together by providing excellent, accessible veterinary care to pet owners who may not be able to afford it otherwise, and to provide lifesaving opportunities to stray and surrendered animals, with the ultimate goal of a loving home for every savable pet.
— Commitment to and embodiment of PAWS’ values of urgency, volume, quality of care, approachability, leadership, and organizational health.
— Dedication to promoting a humane and caring attitude toward all animals.
— Empathy, patience, an outgoing nature, and the ability to get along well with a variety of people.
— Ability to think strategically and execute effectively, while being flexible and innovative as needs and opportunities arise.
— Strong analytical skills with experience in data-driven decision making.
— Maturity, strong sense of leadership, and ability to take initiative and problem-solve, identifying and prioritizing tasks appropriately, and working independently with minimal supervision and direction.
— Ability to maintain a calm, professional, and respectful demeanor at all times, even in stressful situations.
— Computer proficient in Microsoft Office and Google products.
— Proficient in, or willingness to become proficient in, the various shelter and clinic management systems utilized by PAWS (Clinic HQ, ShelterLuv, Airtable, and others).

Physical Requirements:
— Allergic conditions that would be aggravated when exposed to animals may be a disqualification.

Hours:
This is an exempt position. PAWS is open seven days a week. A minimum of 40 hours per week is required. Daily schedule and hours may vary according to the needs of the organization, including occasional evening or weekend hours based on staff and operational needs. This position may have the flexibility to work from a remote office of their choosing up to one day per week. While onsite, the HRM will work from PAWS’ Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Philadelphia’s Grays Ferry neighborhood and from PAWS’ Northeast Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in Northeast Philadelphia.

Benefits:
— Medical insurance and prescription coverage through Independence Blue Cross (two medical plans to choose from); PAWS pays majority of premiums
— Dental insurance through MetLife; PAWS pays majority of premium
— 401(k) plan with employer matching, administered by TransAmerica
— Nine paid holidays per year
— Generous paid time off (PTO)
— Free and heavily discounted clinic services, lab work, prescription diets, and medications for your own pets
— Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through HealthAdvocate
— Voluntary benefits (long- and short-term disability, life, and accident insurance) through Colonial Life

Direct Supervisor:
Executive Director

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS saves and finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need. Through its two low-cost, high-volume spay/neuter and wellness clinics, PAWS serves approximately 28,000 animals each year, enabling families to keep their cherished pets and preventing shelter surrenders. PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

To apply, please email your resume and cover letter to melissa@phillypaws.org

Are you ready to lead a passionate team and make a pawsitive impact in Philadelphia? PAWS is looking for a dynamic Veterinary Technician Manager to help us achieve our dream of making Philadelphia a city where every savable pet is guaranteed a home! Join us as we work to end pet homelessness and provide top-notch veterinary care to the pets in our community who need it most.

What’s the Scoop?  

As our Veterinary Technician Manager, you’ll be at the heart of our mission, guiding a talented crew of veterinary technicians and assistants at our Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic in the vibrant Grays Ferry neighborhood (with occasional jaunts to our Northeast Philadelphia clinic). You’ll be the ultimate champion for our medical support team, ensuring they have the training, resources, and support they need to thrive while delivering exceptional care.

Your Adventure Awaits:

In this exciting role, you’ll be a: 

—Mentor and Inspirer: Guide our veterinary technicians and assistants, helping them grow and shine while embodying PAWS’ values.

—Training Wizard: Create an engaging onboarding process and ongoing training programs that will keep our stellar team at the top of their game.

—Team Builder: Foster a collaborative atmosphere where teamwork reigns supreme and everyone feels valued.

—Hands-On Hero: Spend at least two days a week rolling up your sleeves working in PAWS’ community clinic, supporting HQHV surgery, and caring for in-house shelter animals.

—Community Connector: Build relationships with local veterinary practices to coordinate care for our rescued animals.

What you’ll bring to the table:

—Leadership Experience: You’ve got at least two years of people management experience in the veterinary field, guiding teams to success.

—Passion for the Mission: Your heart beats to provide accessible veterinary care and support loving homes for every pet.

—Animal Aficionado: You know your way around common feline and canine diseases and how to handle animals of all kinds — especially ones with personality!

—Communication Skills: You excel at engaging with a diverse community of clients and colleagues, even in challenging situations.

—Tech-Savvy: Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google products, and eager to learn our clinic management systems (ClinicHQ and ShelterLuv).

Qualifications:

—CVT/LVT license strongly preferred

—Post-secondary education in veterinary science preferred

—Fear-Free Certification is a plus!

Physical Requirements:

—Must be ready to be on your feet, handle the hustle and bustle of clinic and shelter life, and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.

Why PAWS?

—Join our mission-driven team and enjoy fantastic benefits, including:

—Competitive salary commensurate with experience

—Excellent medical, dental, and prescription coverage

—A 401(k) plan with employer matching

—9 paid holidays and generous PTO

—A yearly Continuing Education allowance (expenses and time)

—Free and discounted services for your furry companions

—Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and more!

Ready to make a difference?
If you’re excited about leading a passionate team and improving the lives of pets and their families, we want to hear from you! Join us in creating a brighter future for Philadelphia’s pets. Reach out to Natalie Smith, Director of Operations, at natalie@phillypaws.org today!

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

Are you ready to make tails wag and hearts soar? At PAWS, we’re on a mission to end pet homelessness and provide top-notch veterinary care to community pets who need it most. Every day, we save lives and help families stay together, and we want you to be part of this incredible journey!

We’re looking for a mission-driven, team-oriented, full-time veterinarian who’s ready to dive into the action at our bustling clinic and shelter. You’ll play a vital role in the historic progress we are leading in Philadelphia by performing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries, caring for rescued animals, and giving community pets access to the wellness care they deserve.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us:

— Make a Difference: Help care for over 2,400 homeless animals we rescue each year. Your work will directly impact their lives and their families.

— Team Spirit: Collaborate with a passionate crew of staff and volunteers who share your love for pets and commitment to our mission.

— Diverse Duties: Enjoy a variety of tasks! Rotate among surgery, shelter medicine, and community wellness appointments for a well-rounded experience.

— Teach & Inspire: Work alongside veterinary technicians and students, sharing your knowledge and skills in a supportive environment.

— Unique & Interesting Cases: With the animals PAWS rescues, you can truly focus on the medicine, with lots of tools and resources at your fingertips.

What You’ll Do:

— Surgical Superstar: Perform 25+ spay/neuter surgeries a day (with plenty of support and training available!). You’ll also tackle soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries for our rescued animals (or be able to learn to do them!).

— Wellness Warrior: Provide accessible, compassionate care to community pets, conducting routine wellness exams and helping appreciative owners understand affordable treatment options. We have funding available to offset costs when needed, so you can be a true advocate for underserved communities/pets, not a salesperson.

— Shelter Hero: Ensure that our shelter animals receive excellent care, supporting our robust foster program that finds homes for over 1,500 animals every year!

What We’re Looking For:

—Passion for Pets: A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a valid PA veterinary license.

— Experience Counts: Two years of experience in general practice or a shelter setting, with a preference for high-volume spay/neuter surgery.

— Empathy & Communication: Great interpersonal skills to connect with pet owners and our diverse community.

Why PAWS?

We offer a fantastic benefits package, including:

— Competitive salary + sign-on/relocation bonus + retention bonus

— Full Time benefits available with a 4-day (32-hours) work week if preferred

— Potential for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

— Set hours (no on-call or holidays!) and generous paid time off

— 401(k) with employer match

— Medical, dental, and prescription coverage

— Yearly Continuing Education allowance + additional paid time off for conferences

— Discounted care and products for your own pets

If you’re ready to jump in and make a difference, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Natalie Smith, Director of Operations, at natalie@phillypaws.org today!

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

At PAWS, we work every day to end pet homelessness and to provide excellent veterinary care to community pets who would not otherwise receive it. In doing so, we save lives who would not have a chance otherwise and help families stay together. We are looking for a diversely talented, team-oriented, part-time veterinarian who is ready to help propel the historic progress we are making in Philadelphia by seeing community pets in our busy wellness clinic.

Our veterinarians are ambassadors of PAWS’ mission, upholding the integrity of the organization and working collaboratively with other staff members and volunteers. Our goal is to be a trusted resource for pet owners in our community who would not otherwise be able to access or afford care, so that they can keep their cherished pets as part of their families.  This position is for PAWS’ clinic located at 1810 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19115.

We think you’ll be a great fit if you:

— Lead with accessibility and empathy in mind when working with pet owners from the community to find affordable solutions to keep their animals healthy and as part of their families. Thanks to grants and other strategic partnerships, PAWS is able to assist pet owners who experience financial barriers to getting their pet seen or medications filled.

— Are team-oriented, collaborative, and want to work with PAWS’ medical and non-medical staff to care for the pets and people we serve.

— Can work efficiently without compromising care.

— Like teaching, guiding, and working collaboratively with veterinary technicians and support staff.   

Clinic Responsibilities:

PAWS’ Clinics provide a means for pet owners and animal rescue organizations in Philadelphia to access affordable, high-quality veterinary services for their dogs and cats. Clinics are equipped with the medications and resources to handle routine outpatient cases including wellness exams, skin conditions, upper respiratory infections, gastrointestinal disease, non-emergent urinary tract conditions, minor soft-tissue injuries, and other preventative care. The ideal candidate will be able to:

— Provide excellent veterinary care for all community pets in PAWS’ care, ensuring the safe, sanitary and humane treatment of animals in accordance with established professional standards and requirements, applicable laws and regulations.

— Conduct routine wellness and sick visits for pets whose owners rely on PAWS for affordable care, including communicating empathetically with owners about the treatment options available. 

— Consult and collaborate with specialty veterinary partners on special cases.

Benefits of PAWS employment: 

— Competitive salary and retention bonus.

— Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

— 9am-5pm schedule, with no on-call duties. 

— Medical, dental, and prescription insurance coverage for FT employees.

— 401(k) plan with employer matching.

— Nine (9) paid holidays for FT employees. 

— Paid time off (PTO).

— Yearly Continuing Education allowance, and paid time off to attend conferences/participate in CE.

— Veterinary Medical Malpractice Liability coverage.

— VIN membership.

— Pennsylvania bi-annual license renewal fees.

— Free and heavily discounted clinic services, lab work, medications, and food for your personal pets.

— Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

— Voluntary benefits (short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance).

Education, License, and Experience Requirements:

— Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent from an accredited university.

— Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Veterinary license with no history of complaints or disciplinary action.

— Two + years work experience as a licensed veterinarian in general practice or clinic setting.

Additional Job Skills Required:

— A self-starter who is organized, innovative, flexible, and passionate about PAWS’ goals and objectives.

— Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail.

— Outgoing, patient, empathetic, mature, collaborative, and respectful as a member of our culturally diverse community.

— Good judgment and strong problem-solving ability, identifying tasks that need to be accomplished and prioritizing appropriately, and working independently with minimal supervision and direction.

— Ability to manage and accommodate varied work assignments and schedules.

— Comfort and experience with Google and Microsoft applications strongly preferred. PAWS uses a variety of web-based software that veterinarians must be comfortable learning to use on a daily basis for managing client care.

Interested?
Please share your resume and introduce yourself to Natalie Smith, Director of Operations, at natalie@phillypaws.org.

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

PAWS is looking for motivated, compassionate, and versatile veterinary technicians to be a part of our Northeast medical team! We are Philadelphia’s largest animal rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care, offering wellness, sick, vaccination, and surgery services for a large and diverse caseload of animals.

Veterinary technicians interact regularly with the public and must strive to provide excellent customer service and positive experiences at all times. Ideal candidates have a focus on animal welfare, are outgoing, patient, and flexible, and can get along well with a variety of people and animals.  Experience in an animal hospital, private veterinary practice, and/or shelter environment, as well as a basic understanding of veterinary diseases, treatment, and disease transmission, is preferred.

Benefits for full-time veterinary technicians at PAWS include heavily discounted/at-cost veterinary care and pet food, as well as medical/dental insurance, 401(k) with employer matching, paid time off, and a budget for continuing education!

Primary Duties:

— Treat all animals and people compassionately and respectfully, and handle animals in a safe, effective and humane manner at all times, including those who are sick, injured, larger and possibly untrained, aggressive, or feral. 

— Collect histories and perform and accurately record examinations, vaccinations, and medical treatments for publicly owned animals under the direction of veterinarians using PAWS’ record keeping systems.

— Administer first aid treatments and medications to sick and injured animals

— Prepare owned and rescue animals for high-volume sterilization and other surgeries, including administration of anesthesia.

— Perform or prepare laboratory tests and diagnostics.

— Monitor animals’ conditions, rapidly identify and address any medical or behavioral conditions which might warrant veterinary attention, and work in cooperation with staff to attend to any immediate needs. 

— Euthanize animals as needed and appropriate under the supervision and direction of a veterinarian or the director of operations.

— Work courteously and cooperatively with staff and volunteers to ensure that all procedures and policies are followed.

— Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualities:

— Minimum of one year of experience working in an animal hospital, private veterinary practice, and/or shelter. 

—Experience prepping, recovering, and monitoring animals during surgery strongly preferred.

— Ability to read, write and understand English.

— Strong attention to detail; our patients’ health depends on accuracy and consistency in their medical treatment. 

— Computer proficient in Microsoft office and Google/G-Suite products, and proficiency or comfort with becoming proficient in all internet-based clinic management systems utilized by PAWS (ShelterLuv, Clinic HQ).

— Strong interpersonal, customer service, and verbal and written communication skills.

— Strong sense of initiative and ability to problem-solve, identifying tasks that need to be accomplished and prioritizing appropriately, working independently with minimal supervision and direction.

— Flexibility, maturity, and ability to manage multiple tasks and accommodate varied work assignments and schedules.

— Ability to communicate effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and community in a professional, respectful, courteous and tactful manner at all times.

— The ability to remain pleasant and calm even in stressful situations, including when delivering bad news and  turning people down firmly when necessary, without becoming aggressive or irritable.

Physical Requirements:

— Ability to work with and around animals, including those who are diseased, injured and/or stressed.

— Ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday and tolerate loud noises.

— Ability to lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain an animal when necessary.

Educational Requirements:

— High school diploma or equivalent is required.

— Post-secondary education in the veterinary sciences field is preferred but not required.

Work Location/Schedule/Compensation: 

          — Compensation commensurate with experience. 

          — This position is located at PAWS’ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic at 1810 Grant Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19115. 

— A minimum of 8 hours per day is required.  This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with a schedule of Tuesday – Saturday 9AM-5PM.

Interested?
For a full job description,  more information or to apply, please email Natalie Smith, Director of Operations, at natalie@phillypaws.org.

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

PAWS is looking for motivated and caring individuals to join our medical team! We are Philadelphia’s largest animal rescue partner and have a large and diverse caseload of in-house, foster, and client-owned animals that need a dedicated, compassionate, and versatile person to care for their daily needs. Out veterinary assistants and technicians are the backbone of our in-house operations and participate in virtually all aspects of Daily animal care. This is a part time position that would be include at least one weekend shift and 2-3 weekday shifts per week.

The ideal candidate has a focus on animal welfare, is outgoing, patient, and flexible, and is able to get along well with a variety of people and animals. Experience in a shelter environment and a basic understanding of veterinary diseases, treatment, and disease transmission preferred. Previous experience in surgery (prep, monitoring or recovery) is preferred.

General Position Summary:

Veterinary assistants and technicians at PAWS are integral members of the PAWS medical team. They are responsible for ensuring that animals in the shelter are healthy, properly fed and cared for, and receiving the medical care prescribed to them by veterinary staff. Veterinary assistants and technicians function within PAWS medical and operational protocols to perform a variety of assigned daily tasks, including but not limited to daily animal care and medication, receiving new animals into the shelter, assisting veterinarians in wellness appointments and surgery, and supporting other departments in handling medical cases.

Veterinary assistants and technicians interact regularly with the public and owned animals, as well as foster parents and shelter animals, and must strive to provide excellent customer service and positive experiences for these individuals at all times. Veterinary assistants and technicians must be able to treat people and animals with respect, be an effective member of the PAWS team and foster a spirit of teamwork, and perform duties in a manner that promotes the achievement of PAWS’ goals and encourages community support of its work.

Primary Duties:

— Care for and handle animals in a safe, effective and humane manner, especially larger and possibly untrained or feral animals.
— Assist veterinarians and collaborate with other veterinary assistants and technicians to perform daily medical tasks.
— Perform and accurately record examinations, vaccinations, and medical treatments for publicly owned and shelter animals under the direction of veterinarians using PAWS’ record keeping systems.
— Administer first aid treatments and medications to sick and injured animals, provide water and proper diet for all animals, and ensure sanitary conditions for all animals in PAWS’ care.
— Unpack, stock, and organize clinic supplies and medications.
— Clean, sterilize and prepare surgical instruments for the surgery team.
— Perform or prepare laboratory tests and diagnostics including fungal cultures, fecal flotations, cytologies, blood smears, and digital radiographs.
— Euthanize animals as needed and appropriate under the supervision and direction of a veterinarian or the director of operations.
— Monitor animals’ conditions, rapidly identify and address any medical or behavioral conditions which might warrant veterinary attention, and work in cooperation with staff to attend to any immediate needs.
— Admit and release animals in a responsive, courteous, and tactful manner, and communicate with volunteers, staff, and the public regarding any pertinent medical information.
— Assist in maintaining healthy, safe, sanitary, pleasant and clean facilities for animals under the care of PAWS.
— Participate in job related trainings and professional development activities.
— Follow procedures governing safe work practices including, but not limited to, wearing protective clothing and safely operating medical equipment when necessary.
— Treat people and animals with respect and compassion.
— Promote a humane and caring attitude toward all animals and treat all animals compassionately and respectfully at all times, including sick, injured, feral or aggressive animals.
— Work courteously and cooperatively with staff and volunteers to ensure that all procedures and policies are followed.
— Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualities:

— Minimum of one year of experience working in a shelter, animal hospital, and/or private veterinary practice.
— Ability to read, write and understand English.
— Strong attention to detail- our patients’ health depends on accuracy and consistency in their medical treatment.
— Computer proficient in Microsoft office and Google/G-Suite products, and proficiency or comfort with becoming proficient in all internet-based clinic management systems utilized by PAWS (ShelterLuv, Clinic HQ).
— Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
— Strong sense of initiative and ability to problem-solve, identifying tasks that need to be accomplished and prioritizing appropriately, working independently with minimal supervision and direction.
— Flexibility, maturity, and ability to manage multiple tasks and accommodate varied work assignments and schedules.
— Ability to communicate effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and community in a professional, pleasant, respectful, courteous and tactful manner at all times.
— The ability to remain pleasant and calm even in stressful situations, and to turn people down, firmly when necessary, without becoming aggressive or unpleasant.

Physical Requirements:

— Ability to work with and around animals including diseased, injured and/or stressed animals.
— Ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday and tolerate loud noises.
— Allergic conditions, which would be aggravated when handling or working with animals, may be a disqualification.
— Ability to lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain an animal when necessary.

Educational Requirements:

— High school diploma or equivalent is required.
— Post-secondary education in the veterinary sciences field is preferred but not required.

Work Location/Schedule/Compensation:

— Compensation commensurate with experience.
— This position is located at the PAWS Low-Cost Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic at 2900 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146.
— PAWS is open seven days a week. A minimum of 8 hours per day is required.
— This is a part time position that would include at least one weekend shift and 2-3 weekday shifts per week.

Interested?
For more information or to apply, please email Natalie Smith, Director of Operations at, at natalie@phillypaws.org.

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

PAWS is looking for motivated, detail-oriented, and versatile surgery veterinary technicians to join our medical team! We are Philadelphia’s largest animal rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care, offering wellness, sick, vaccination, and surgery services for a large and diverse caseload of in-house, foster, and client-owned animals. Our veterinary technicians are the backbone of our medical operations and participate in virtually all aspects of daily animal care. Surgery veterinary technicians prep, monitor, and recover animals in PAWS’ high-volume, high-quality spay and neuter clinics, dental procedures, and other soft tissue surgeries. They are cross-trained to assist with our client-facing wellness, sick, and vaccination appointments and in-house shelter animal medical services if needed.
 

Veterinary technicians interact regularly with the public, owned animals, foster parents, and shelter animals, and must strive to provide excellent customer service and positive experiences for these individuals at all times. Ideal candidates have a focus on animal welfare, are outgoing, patient, and flexible, and can get along well with a variety of people and animals.  Experience in an animal hospital, private veterinary practice, and/or shelter environment with a focus in surgery is required.

Benefits for veterinary technicians at PAWS include heavily discounted/at-cost veterinary care and pet food, as well as medical/dental insurance, 401(k) plan with employer matching, paid time off, and a budget for continuing education! Additional details below.
 

Primary Duties:

— Prepping owned and rescue animals for high-volume sterilization and other surgeries, including assisting veterinarians with physical exams, administering sedation, shaving, intubating, placing IV catheters, and aseptically scrubbing patients.

— Interpreting/Maintaining pre- and post-surgical paperwork to ensure all necessary services are provided.

— Administering and monitoring anesthesia.

— Recovering patients after surgery. 

— Maintaining drug and surgical logs.

— Cleaning and sterilizing surgical instruments.

— Maintain a clean and safe surgical suite.

— Treat all animals and people compassionately and respectfully, and handle animals in a safe, effective and humane manner at all times, including those who are sick, injured, larger and possibly untrained, aggressive, or feral. 

— Administer first aid treatments and medications to sick and injured animals

— Perform or prepare laboratory tests and diagnostics.

— Monitor animals’ conditions, rapidly identify and address any medical or behavioral conditions which might warrant veterinary attention, and work in cooperation with staff to attend to any immediate needs. 

— With sufficient notice, assist in wellness, sick, and vaccination appointments and with in-house shelter medical services when needed

— Euthanize animals as needed and appropriate under the supervision and direction of a veterinarian or the director of operations.

— Work courteously and cooperatively with staff and volunteers to ensure that all procedures and policies are followed.

— Other duties as assigned. 

Required Skills and Qualities:

— Minimum of two years of experience working in an animal hospital, private veterinary practice, and/or shelter. 

— Minimum of one year of experience prepping, recovering, and monitoring animals during surgery.

— Ability to read, write and understand English.

— Strong attention to detail; our patients’ health depends on accuracy and consistency in their medical treatment. 

— Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment without compromising patient care

— Computer proficient in Microsoft office and Google/G-Suite products, and proficiency or comfort with becoming proficient in all internet-based clinic management systems utilized by PAWS (ShelterLuv, Clinic HQ).

— Strong interpersonal, customer service, and verbal and written communication skills.

— Strong sense of initiative and ability to problem-solve, identifying tasks that need to be accomplished and prioritizing appropriately, working independently with minimal supervision and direction.

— Flexibility, maturity, and ability to manage multiple tasks and accommodate varied work assignments and schedules.

— Ability to communicate effectively with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and community in a professional, respectful, courteous and tactful manner at all times.

— The ability to remain pleasant and calm even in stressful situations, including when delivering bad news and  turning people down firmly when necessary, without becoming aggressive or irritable.

Physical Requirements:

— Ability to work with and around animals, including those who are diseased, injured and/or stressed.

— Ability to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday and tolerate loud noises.

— Ability to lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances and to humanely restrain an animal when necessary.

Educational Requirements:

— High school diploma or equivalent is required.

— Post-secondary education in the veterinary sciences field is preferred but not required.

Work Location and Schedule: 

— This position is located at PAWS’ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter and Wellness Clinic at 2900 Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19146. 

— PAWS is open seven days a week. A minimum of 8 hours per day is required. Full time and part time positions available. Candidates must be available for shifts on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Compensation and Benefits: 

— Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.

— Medical, dental, and prescription insurance coverage for FT employees

— 401(k) plan with employer matching

— Nine (9) paid holidays per year for FT employees

— Generous paid time off (PTO) for FT employees

— Yearly Continuing Education allowance

— Free and heavily discounted clinic services, lab work, prescription diets, and medications for your personal pets

— Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

— Voluntary benefits (long- and short-term disability, life, and accident insurance)

Interested?
For more information or to apply, please email Natalie Smith, Director of Operations at, at natalie@phillypaws.org.

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.

PAWS is currently hiring for a part time Animal Care Technician!

An integral member of PAWS’ Grays Ferry facility, the Animal Care Technician position supports PAWS’ rescue, adoption/foster, medical, and community support programs. PAWS serves thousands of cats and dogs (and some small animals!) every year. Animal Care Technicians take an individual approach to the mental and physical wellbeing of each animal in our care. In doing so, Animal Care Technicians ensure each animal’s stay at PAWS is as healthy, positive, and stress-free as possible. Animal Care Technicians are also the caretakers of PAWS’ facility and equipment. Animal Care Technicians represent PAWS through regular interactions with the public – adopters, foster parents, volunteers, and customers – and strive to provide a welcoming and personable experience for them at all times.

Principal Duties:

— Keep all areas of the facility clean, neat, and safe. This includes maintaining bathrooms, kitchen, outdoor spaces, and other general use areas, as well as general supplies and equipment. 

— Feed and care for animals with strong attention to detail regarding each pet’s medical and behavioral plan.  

— Prepare kennels for new arrivals with the goal of creating a low-stress, welcoming environment for the animals. 

— Clean animal housing areas according to established protocols, ensuring that each animal’s mental well being is attended to while minimizing risk of disease transmission. 

— Receive, sort, and distribute donated items, referencing PAWS’ wishlist and assessing donated items’ condition when deciding whether to keep donations for shelter use, give away, or discard. 

— Maintain accurate identification including collars, identification tags, and cage cards during each animal’s stay at the facility.

— Assist in animal socialization and enrichment, including but not limited to preparing and dispensing enrichment, one-on-one time and attention, walks, play time, and participating in training and behavior modification under the direction of the animal care manager.

— Rapidly identify medical and behavioral issues that need to be brought to the attention of the immediate supervisor or the clinical staff. Record interactions with animals per established procedures and policies.

— Communicate inventory and supply needs to the shelter manager, and assist in keeping supply logs updated as needed. 

— Transport animals throughout the facility as needed. 

— Promote a humane and caring attitude toward all animals and treat all animals with compassion at all times, including those that are sick, injured, stressed, or reactive. Adhere to fear free, force free handling and restraint practices under the guidance of the animal care manager and clinic staff.

— Maintain a calm, pleasant, tactful, and professional demeanor at all times when dealing with coworkers and the public, even in stressful situations such as euthanasia.  

— Work courteously and cooperatively with volunteers to ensure that all established procedures and policies are followed. Welcome new volunteers and help train them under the guidance of the volunteer manager. 

— Partner collaboratively with staff in other departments to advance PAWS’ lifesaving mission.

— Foster a welcoming, positive environment for clients, volunteers, foster parents and staff. 

— Assist in the preparation of animals for medical treatments, surgery, off-site adoption events, and transfers to foster homes, adoptive homes, and PAWS’ adoption locations.

— Provide medication (including medicated baths) to animals, as appropriate and needed under the direction of clinical staff.  

— Follow established procedures governing safe work practices.

— Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

— Must be 18 years of age or older.

— Two years of public contact work or volunteer experience, preferably working with animals.  

— Ability to work with and around animals including sick, injured and/or stressed animals, including those with the propensity to scratch or bite.

— Ability to lift and move objects and animals weighing up to 50 pounds for short distances. 

— Allergies that are aggravated when handling or working with animals may be a disqualification.

Preferred Experience, Qualities, and Abilities:

— Reliability and punctuality are crucial – the animals at PAWS rely on staff to be present and on time for their care. Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills. 

— Ideal candidate is personable, patient, and able to get along well with a variety of people.

— Flexible, committed to teamwork, and willing to adapt to unplanned changes in workflow. 

— Strong sense of initiative, identifying tasks that need to be accomplished, staying busy during downtime, and prioritizing tasks appropriately.

— Ability to manage multiple tasks and accommodate varied work assignments.

— Affection and compassion for animals, concern for their welfare, and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.

— Comfort and ability to work with animals of unknown disposition and those who may exhibit medical or behavioral challenges to handling.

— An empathetic, non-judgmental attitude, and experience supporting community members in crisis, and community members who may be struggling with socioeconomic challenges.

— Ability to communicate respectfully with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers and community in a professional, pleasant, courteous and tactful manner at all times. 

— Ability to read, write and understand English.

Hours:
This is an hourly position, part-time. Shift times are 9am-5pm Friday, Saturday and Monday.

Compensation:
Compensation is based on experience.

Immediate Supervisors:
Shelter Manager

Employment:
There is no minimum period of employment guaranteed or implied by acceptance of an employment offer. It is the policy of PAWS that non-exempt positions are governed by the needs of the agency, which means that employment is for no specified term and PAWS may terminate that employment at any time if it is reasonable related to meeting PAWS’ goals, for failure to meet goals, or for any infractions of PAWS’ rules. The Executive Director has final authority over these decisions and determinations.

Introductory Assessment Period:
The introductory assessment period runs from the date of hire for three months thereafter. For employment in any position with PAWS, this introductory assessment period is the period during which the specifics of the job are learned. During this period, either the employee or PAWS may end the employment relationship without notice or prejudice.

Interested?
For more information or to apply, please email Tori Roccia, Shelter Manager, at tori@phillypaws.org.

About the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):
PAWS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to saving Philadelphia’s homeless and at-risk pets and serving pet owners in need. PAWS is the city’s largest rescue partner and provider of affordable veterinary care for pet owners and rescue organizations that cannot otherwise access it. Each year, PAWS finds loving homes for thousands of animals in need and enables thousands more families to keep their cherished pets. Through rescue efforts, community support, and surrender prevention, PAWS is working to make Philadelphia a place where every savable pet is guaranteed a home.