As an Animal Care Team Lead, you play a key role in supporting both the Animal Care Manager and your fellow team members in the day-to-day operations of the department. This position blends hands-on animal care with leadership, allowing you to guide, support, and collaborate with your team while helping to create a positive and effective working environment.
You’ll act as a go-to resource for team members - offering direction, coordinating daily tasks, and ensuring clear and consistent communication across the team. Working closely with the Manager, you’ll help uphold the highest standards of care and wellbeing for the animals entrusted to us.
Your leadership will also be instrumental in keeping the team running smoothly, from assisting with staff scheduling and managing supplies to helping onboard and train new team members on our standard operating procedures. Through your support and guidance, you’ll help foster a strong, knowledgeable, and compassionate team dedicated to exceptional animal care.
If you think this is the position for you, submit your resume and cover letter! We'd love to hear from you!
REPORTS TO: Manager, Animal Care
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent
VACANCY TYPE: Existing Position
HOURLY RATE: $24.94
- Create daily and monthly schedules for AC staff, assign daily room tasks, and manage "on-call" rotations to ensure proper coverage and smooth operations.
- Actively participate as part of the team, assisting with cleaning and feeding routines during staff shortages to ensure continuous care for the animals.
- Support Animal Care (AC) staff in maintaining high standards of animal care and quality control by monitoring and prioritizing daily and weekly checklists (feeding, cleaning, disinfecting)
- Report departmental complaints, to Animal Care Manger following established protocols and guidelines.
- Regularly inspect all shelter areas to guarantee cleanliness and adherence to general housekeeping standards, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for animals.
- Provide comprehensive training and orientation for staff, students, volunteers, and work placements as needed,
- Maintain inventory levels, regularly replenishing animal food, supplies, and equipment as needed to support daily operations.
- Working with a variety of sizes and behavioural temperaments in dogs and cats
- Inside work environment can be noisy. (hearing protection provided upon request)
- Outside work in all-weather elements (snow, rain, cold, heat)
Qualifications, Experience & Skills:
- Prior experience in a team lead role for a minimum of 1-2 years is preferred. Requires experience in animal care, leadership, and administrative skills.
- 1-2 years’ experience leading and inspiring teams towards achieving goals. Proficient in fostering collaboration, providing guidance, and leveraging individual strengths for collective success. Strong communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution skills essential.
- Shelter experience is an asset
- Canine and feline behaviour knowledge an asset - we are specifically looking for people with dog experience who are comfortable handling large dogs.
- High School Diploma and/or College as applicable
- Must be reliable; ability to work all shifts, including weekends, holidays
- Valid G license with a clear Drivers Abstract
- Clear Criminal Background Check
- Understanding of care and husbandry for cats, dogs, and small animals
- Strong communication, organizational and teamwork skills
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated ability and comfortable handling animals with varying temperaments
- Flexible and adaptable approach to changing situations
- Ability to work within a fast paced, at times a stressful environment that changes often
- Ability to work with little supervision; takes initiative to see what needs to be done
HSOMH is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to fostering a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals. Our processes are grounded in merit and are implemented without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, or any other protected characteristic. Please note that we will only be contacting candidates who meet our professional eligibility criteria.
Physical Requirements: This role involves working in physically demanding environments and requires the ability to safely handle and transport animals of varying sizes and species. The position includes frequent physical activity related to animal handling and husbandry, including lifting and carrying animals or equipment, bending, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and repetitive use of hands for grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation. Employees must be able to alternate between sitting, standing, and walking during 7-hour shifts (days and nights), drive various vehicles in a range of weather and field conditions, and occasionally lift, carry, or move heavier animals or objects over short distances. Work may also involve outdoor activity in varied terrain and weather conditions.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: $24.94 per hour
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- We'd love to hear more about you. have you submitted a cover letter with your application? If not, why not?
Experience:
- Dog Handling: 1 year (required)
- Cat Handling: 1 year (required)
- Team Lead: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
