Animal Care & Transport Specialist

Description

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is currently seeking an Animal Care & Transport Specialist to join our team. This is a full-time, FLSA nonexempt opportunity. 

Since 1897, HSSW has been the leader in animal welfare across Southwest Washington. With an annual operating budget of $15 million, we are the largest and most innovative animal welfare organization in the region. Our shelter campuses in Vancouver and Longview, WA serve more than 10,000 animals each year, providing high-quality care, medical services, and the compassion they deserve. 

Our community-based approach helps keep pets and people together. Through the Nierenberg Community Veterinary Clinic, the Sandra Richardson Miller Mobile Veterinary Clinic, the Swigert Family Behavior & Training Center, and programs like free pet food and other essential resources, we serve more than 18,000 owned animals annually expanding access to affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter, training, and support. 

We also own and operate ReTails Thrift Store, a top shopping destination named Best Thrift Store in Clark County for eight consecutive years, providing vital funding for our mission. 

At HSSW, you’ll find an innovative, high-energy culture where your passion for animals and people can make a real difference. We’re looking for team members who want to be part of something bigger: supporting pets, strengthening families, and shaping the future of animal welfare in Southwest Washington. HSSW has been honored as Best Non-Profit for two years running—a recognition of our impact and leadership in the community. 

Animal Care & Transport Specialist

The Animal Care & Transport Specialist provides hands-on care for animals while supporting safe, reliable, and timely transportation among Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) locations, veterinary partners, foster homes, adoption events, and other approved destinations. The role combines daily husbandry, sanitation, safe handling, vehicle readiness, and accurate documentation. Depending on operational needs, approximately 50-70% of the schedule is spent in Animal Care and 30-50% on transportation and related logistics.

As a representative of HSSW, this position works closely with shelter and veterinary staff, volunteers, community partners, and members of the public. Success in the role requires compassion, sound judgment, attention to detail, physical stamina, adaptability, and clear communication. The role requires consistent adherence to HSSW standards and procedures for animal welfare, disease prevention, workplace safety, and safe animal transportation.

Key Responsibilities

Animal Care

• Provide daily husbandry for shelter animals, including feeding, watering, health and behavior monitoring, and cleaning of animal areas.
• Clean and disinfect kennels, crates, equipment, supplies, laundry, and associated public areas in accordance with sanitation and disease-prevention protocols.
• Restock animal care areas and maintain clean, orderly, and safe spaces throughout the day.
• Safely handle and move animals of varying sizes, species, temperaments, and physical conditions using approved techniques and equipment.
• Observe animals for medical, behavioral, or welfare concerns and promptly communicate concerns to the appropriate team members.
• Follow safety procedures and take immediate action to correct or report hazards or unsafe practices that could place a person, animal, or the organization at risk.

Animal Transportation

• Safely transport live animals among HSSW locations, veterinary partners, foster homes, adoption events, and other approved destinations using company vehicles.
• Coordinate scheduled and urgent transportation with Operations leadership, confirming routes, timing, destination requirements, and needed documentation.
• Select and use appropriate carriers, restraints, and other equipment; safely load, secure, transport, and unload animals.
• Monitor animals during transportation and respond appropriately to behavioral, medical, environmental, or welfare concerns.
• Provide approved care during transport, including appropriate containment and access to food, water, or other necessary support.
• Verify animal identification and transportation documentation before departure and upon arrival.
• Support transportation needs for animal transfers, veterinary appointments, foster placements, adoption events, off-site programs, and other HSSW activities.

Motor Vehicle Operations & Logistics

• Complete required pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections and promptly report maintenance, damage, or safety concerns.
• Keep vehicles clean, sanitary, fueled, stocked, and ready for safe operation.
• Ensure transportation equipment and supplies are available, appropriate for the animals being moved, and in good working condition.
• Follow established routing, scheduling, incident-reporting, and vehicle safety procedures.
• Safely operate vehicles, animal transport equipment and tools.

Records, Communication & Compliance

• Complete transportation, transfer, chain-of-custody, scheduling, and animal records accurately and on time.
• Enter required information into applicable systems and maintain clear, organized documentation.
• Communicate transportation updates, delays, concerns, incidents, and changes promptly to appropriate staff and leadership.
• Follow HSSW policies and procedures and applicable transportation, workplace safety, and animal welfare requirements.
• Protect confidential organizational and animal-related information and maintain professional conduct in all interactions.
• Perform other duties that support animal care, transportation, and HSSW operations as assigned.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Demonstrated compassion, emotional intelligence, and professionalism when working with animals, staff, volunteers, veterinary partners, and members of the public.
• Demonstrated proficiency in safe animal handling and consistent application of animal welfare principles.
• Sound judgment in recognizing and responding appropriately to animal behavior, medical, and welfare concerns.
• Consistent application of sanitation, disease-prevention, and workplace safety practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, sound judgment, and attention to detail.
• Effective organization of work, adaptability to changing priorities, and consistent follow-through, both independently and as part of a team.
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office or similar applications and timely, accurate use of required HSSW systems following training.
• Safe and professional operation of vehicles and equipment.
• Valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record; Motor Vehicle Record check required.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, crouching, reaching, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. The employee must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds; enter and exit vehicles; load and unload animals, carriers, supplies, and equipment; and operate motor vehicles, tools, and equipment as part of regular duties.

Work occurs within animal shelter and veterinary environments, both indoor & outdoors, and requires operating motor vehicles. The employee may be exposed to animals of varying species, sizes, temperaments, and physical conditions; cleaning chemicals; dust; allergens; loud noise; unpleasant odors; varying weather conditions; and potentially zoonotic diseases.

Compensation 

The hourly pay for this position ranges from $20.85 to $25.24 per hour. Starting wage is dependent upon experience. 

Employee Benefits and Perks
In addition to serving in an organization with a compassionate and strategic purpose, eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and a variety of employee perks. 

Benefits include: 

• Health insurance effective the first of the month following hire (full-time employees). 
• Dental and vision insurance effective the first of the month following hire. 
• Matching percentage 401(k) retirement plan beginning the first month after hire, with a 3-year graded vesting schedule and ROTH contribution option. 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to all employees and household members. 
• Section 125 FSA Cafeteria Plan for out-of-pocket health and/or dependent day care expenses. 
• Access to affordable life, disability, and accidental supplemental insurance. 
• Numerous employee discounts and discounts with partner organizations. 
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualified employer. To learn more about this Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation. 

Paid Time Off (PTO)  

This position accrues PTO at a rate of 2 hours for every 40 hours worked.  

Additional Paid time includes: 

• Floating Holidays (full-time employees). 
• Bereavement leave 
• Pet bereavement leave 

Culture 

Vision: A community where everyone loves and cares for animals. 

Mission: Rescue. Return. Restore. Rehome. Reconnect. One animal at a time 

Values: Compassion. Collaboration. Excellence. Service. Integrity. 

The ultimate team player: 

• Displays interest, enthusiasm, and an affinity for working with people. 
• Demonstrates an attitude in being of-service, using good judgment, maintaining a positive outlook, and ideally, a sense of humor. 
• Works well in teams and demonstrates an attitude and commitment to collaboration with a sincere interest in helping others succeed. 
• Is committed to achieving excellence individually and as a part of the team. 
• Exhibits adaptability, curiosity, flexibility to change, open to new ideas, and encourages others to recognize changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as an opportunity for transformation. 
• Is committed to personal and professional development through life-long learning. 

How to Apply 

Does HSSW sound like the right place for you?  

Does this job sound like a great fit & do you meet the qualifications for this position? 

If so, then click the Apply button to begin your journey to join our team today. HSSW participates in E-Verify and due to the nature and responsibilities of the position, requires a Motor Vehicle Records release. 

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington is an equal opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations during the hiring process for qualified applicants with disabilities. 

For more information visit https://HSSW.org/careers/.  

Application Deadline: Open until filled.