Thank you for your interest in Animal Care League! We are always looking for great people to join our team. Please note that due to the number of inquiries we receive, applicants who do not possess the minimum qualifications/requirements may not be responded to-so please read each job opportunity description carefully. If you are interested in getting involved/helping animals but do not possess the required experience-you can always consider volunteering!
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Shelter Veterinarian-Full-Time
Animal Care League is a 501(c)3 organization providing shelter and medical care for over 2,000 animals each year. Animal Care League serves as the stray holding facility for 7 surrounding villages, offers shelter and care for animals from local animal control partners and provides low-cost spay/neuter and vaccine services to the public. Animal Care League is searching for a highly motivated, experienced Veterinarian to provide medical care and HQHVSN services to our shelter animals and public clients (duties split between surgery and shelter medicine/pet wellness services).
The veterinarian would oversee and maintain the health of our shelter population of 150-250 animals. Ideal candidates would be comfortable with in heat spays, pregnant spays, large dog surgeries, have the ability to perform procedures such as leg amputation, enucleation, cherry eye sx, as well as other lifesaving procedures. Animal Care League houses exotics such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and birds so experience with exotics is preferred, or candidates must have a willingness to train/learn.
Responsibilities would also include: working directly with the Executive Director to expand clinic operations and map out clinic related programming; communicating with key managers on medical plans and follow up for shelter animals; communicating with key managers on housing and containment of contagious diseases; performing occasional euthanasia; keeping thorough medical records; working through solutions and providing input on protocols, facility improvement, and overall medical operations; assist the Executive Director with team building of the clinic staff as well as other community support initiatives; develop and manage inventory system for surgical supplies; help keep medical expenses within budgetary guidelines by developing/maintaining effective and efficient medical processes.
The ideal candidate for this role would be a positive team player with a passion for community programming and making a difference in the lives of animals and people. The ideal candidate would possess extraordinary communication and problem solving skills as well as possess the ability to be flexible/pivot with changing situations. Candidates must be open to a flexible schedule including weekends, on-call responsibilities and some special events.
Minimum Requirements:
Licensed to practice in the State of Illinois
5 years of experience, preferably with at least 2 years of shelter medicine experience
Must be comfortable working independently in a fast-paced and stressful environment and be able to perform 20 plus surgeries per day
Fear free certification preferred, or willingness to receive certification within 6 months of employment
Exotics experience preferred/a plus or willingness to learn/receive training within 12 months of employment
Previous experience with oversight of clinic staff a plus
For consideration please send resume, cover letter and salary expectations to Kira Robson at: executivedirector@animalcareleague.org
Foster Program Coordinator
Animal Care League is looking for an outgoing and forward thinking person with a sincere passion for animals and people to join our team in the role of Foster Coordinator. The Foster Coordinator will play a key role in helping to grow our foster network and capabilities as well as establish lasting relationships with our foster parents.
The Foster Coordinator is responsible for performing functions for all aspects of the foster care program and ensures that the majority of animals in our population are able to be housed outside of the shelter. This includes facilitating placement of dogs, cats and rabbits in appropriate foster homes, supporting the Animal Managers regarding medical and surgical concerns, and coordinating with foster caregivers to engage them in advocating for animal adoption placement.
Key responsibilities include: Answer phone calls and emails from foster caregivers within a timely manner, Facilitate placement of foster eligible animals into and out of foster care homes, Manage foster supply area, reporting supply shortages or needs, Maintain close communication with Animal Managers and the adoption team to coordinate foster animal adoption placement, Update foster communications and update social media accounts each day/week to communicate animals in need of foster care with foster caregiver base, Monitor animal inventory, surgical, and population reports under the guidance of the Animal Managers & Shelter Manager to designate eligible foster animals as such and identify high-priority foster candidates, Provide ongoing behavioral support and educational resources to foster caregivers, Maintaining the foster contact list, Engage new foster applicants and conducts the foster onboarding process, Support the program’s foster recruitment and development initiatives to expand the number of animals able to be placed in foster homes, assists the adoption team with adoption appointment overflow, assists with general front office and customer service tasks.
The ideal candidate would have a positive can-do attitude, be able to multi-task in a busy and hectic environment, have a vast knowledge of companion animals, their behavior and their care needs and the ability to effectively communicate with a diverse group of people. Candidates must be flexible and independent and able to multi-task while also being highly detail-oriented. Candidates should also be interested in taking progressive processes and helping to implement them to improve programming and in turn allow ACL to have a greater impact. Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) are also a must! This is a full-time position with weekend and occasional evening hours.
Minimum Requirements:
High School Diploma required. Associate or Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred or relevant work experience
Minimum of 1 year of experience working in a customer service focused role. Previous program work is a plus!
Minimum 2 years of hands on animal handling experience, preferably in a shelter/rescue setting
Exceptional communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with a diverse client base
Strong animal handling skills and strong knowledge of animal behavior and care
Must possess good critical thinking and problem solving skills
Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office and Google Applications with the ability to learn new software programs quickly
For consideration please e-mail resume and cover letter to executivedirector@animalcareleague.org
Animal Care Technician-Part-Time
Do you want to make a difference in the life of a shelter animal? ACL is seeking enthusiastic, hardworking and compassionate individuals to join our animal care team. The animal care team members act as accommodating hosts for cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals during their stay with us! Animal Caregivers ensure that animal enclosures and areas are clean, organized and set up for maximum comfort while also ensuring that all animals are being fed, medicated, and receiving walks/enrichment regularly. Animal Caregivers also keep in close communication with upper level shelter staff on each of our animals' changes in behavior or wellness and provide important feedback to help animals find their way to adoption!
This is a fast paced position with responsibilities that include daily cleaning and disinfecting of kennels and cages, sweeping, mopping, laundry, dish washing, feeding of animals, and administering medications. Candidates must enjoy cleaning as well as possess a strong work ethic, good attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task. Good time management and organization skills a must! Since our animals require love and care 365 days per year, this position requires early morning/late night/weekend and holiday availability.
Minimum Requirements:
High School Diploma or equivalent work experience
Previous animal handling experience required
CVT/Vet Tech experience a huge plus!
Physical Requirements & Work Environment:
Ability to lift and transport items weighing up to 65 pounds.
Ability to handle animals effectively and humanely.
Have a high level of manual dexterity, the ability to bend and squat, and the ability to stand and sit for significant periods of time.
Exposure to disinfectant solutions and zoonotic diseases.
Subject to animal bites and scratches.
Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the organization. May require evening, holiday and weekend work hours.
Must be able to safely and compassionately handle and work with all cats, dogs, rabbits and other domestic animals including those with medical or behavioral challenges.
Possesses a positive attitude and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Must possess good critical thinking and problem solving skills
Flexible and independent; able to multitask while also being highly detail-oriented.
Please send resume and cover letter to: sheltermanager@animalcareleague.org
Veterinary Technician
Are you a Veterinary Technician who is looking for a position with variety? Then this role is for you! Animal Care League is looking for a full-time Veterinary Technician to support the medical functions of our organization. The Veterinary Technician assists with maintaining the wellness of our shelter population (which includes cats, dogs, rabbits and more!), as well as supports the work done in our public spay/neuter clinic. The Veterinary Technician ensures quality animal care, clinic cleanliness and sterility, excellent patient care, and exceptional customer service. The ideal candidate would be organized, positive, driven and flexible with a passion for people and animals as well as have an interest in community work and shelter medicine.
This position may offer a flexible schedule, PTO benefits as well as employee covered training opportunities.
Responsibilities Include but are not limited to:
- Examining and evaluating shelter animals for disease, injuries, parasites and other possible health concerns and reporting to the Shelter Veterinarian.
- Communicates with operations team and veterinary staff to ensure medical care plans are in place and are on track
- Assist Shelter Veterinarian in medical exams; involves but is not limited to restraint, microchipping, blood draws, fecal floats, vaccinations, U/A work.
- Provide assistance to veterinarian during surgery including intubation and recovery monitoring
- Collects samples for and conducts laboratory tests as directed by the veterinarian, prepares reports of test results and provides results to the staff as requested.
- Works with shelter team to provide booster vaccines, assist with weekly animal weights, and assists with medical intake as needed
- Assists in preparing medication and administering treatment plans on a daily basis.
- Maintaining a disease-free or contained environment to ensure the health of the population.
- Assists with coordinating public spay dates, vaccine clinics, and other public initiatives
- Ensuring that animal medical records are current and entered into the computer in a timely manner
- Assisting with keeping medical supply and pharmacy inventory, ordering, as well as ensuring all records are well maintained
- Assisting with team building in the clinic, helping to train new vet assistants or clinic volunteers
- CVT preferred but not required with appropriate experience
- Minimum 1 year of experience as a veterinary technician, preferably in a shelter environment
- Knowledge of basic medical care, diseases, treatment of dogs and cats.
- Comfortable handling animals of all breeds, sizes and temperaments.
- Knowledge of medical drugs, procedures and processes.
- Experience with HVHQ Spay/Neuter procedures.
- Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
- Ability to work as a team, as well as ability to self-direct
- Flexible and independent; able to multitask while also being highly detail-oriented
- Possesses a positive attitude and the ability to remain calm under pressure
- Excellent written and oral communication.
- Strong Computer skills. Experience with PetPoint a huge plus
- Fear Free Certified or willingness to become certified within 6 months of employment
- Experience with exotics or willingness to learn
- Bi-Lingual English/Spanish a huge plus!
For consideration please email resume and cover letter to: executivedirector@animalcareleague.org
Assistant Manager of Animal Care
Animal Care League is looking for an experienced animal caregiver who takes pride in ensuring that animals in the shelter are cared for and comfortable during their stay to join our team in the role of Assistant Manager of Animal Care (AMAC). Are you an organized, hard working, and compassionate person with an eye for detail? Then this position is for you! ACL’s AMAC is responsible for ensuring that the cats, dogs, rabbits and other critters coming to our doors receive the comfort, care, and enrichment they deserve. The AMAC also works to build an amazing team of animal caregivers that share the same passion.
Key Responsibilities Include:
- Cleaning and sanitizing animal areas/Ensuring that all animal areas are sanitized daily and that animals are receiving daily medications through daily check outs and oversight of animal care team
- Ensuring that supplies are stocked, keeping inventory, ordering supplies
- Ensuring that the shelter remains clean and organized at all times, that common areas are free from clutter/donations
- Assisting with the training and development of kennel staff and animal care volunteers
- Conducting weekly animal weights and logs
- Updating animal care team feeding boards
- Administering monthly/booster vaccinations and preventative care (flea/tick/heartworm) as needed
- Assisting Animal Managers with animal transfers/intake, behavior evaluations, and helping with adopter meet and greets/dog to dog evaluations, etc.
Minimum Requirements:
High School Diploma or equivalent work experience
At least 1 year of animal care experience preferably in a shelter environment
Supervisory experience strongly preferred
Fear Free Certified a huge plus!
CVT/Vet Tech experience a huge plus!
Physical Requirements & Work Environment:
Ability to lift and transport items weighing up to 65 pounds.
Ability to handle animals effectively and humanely.
Have a high level of manual dexterity, the ability to bend and squat, and the ability to stand and sit for significant periods of time.
Exposure to disinfectant solutions and zoonotic diseases.
Subject to animal bites and scratches.
Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.
Daily hours and days of the week may vary according to the needs of the organization. May require evening, holiday and weekend work hours.
Must be able to safely and compassionately handle and work with all cats, dogs, rabbits and other domestic animals including those with medical or behavioral challenges.
Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
Possesses a positive attitude and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
Ability to work compassionately with clients and staff/volunteers in various emotional states.
Must possess good critical thinking and problem solving skills
Flexible and independent; able to multitask while also being highly detail-oriented.
For consideration please email cover letter and resume to sheltermanager@animalcareleague.org