Student - Manchester Animal Shelter Dog Kennel Technician (Work-Study Only)

Southern New Hampshire University is a team of innovators. World changers. Individuals who believe in progress with purpose. Since 1932, our people-centered strategy has defined us — and helped us grow a team that now serves over 180,000 learners worldwide.

Our mission to transform lives is made possible by talented people who bring diverse industry experience, backgrounds and skills to the university. And today, we're ready to expand our reach. All we need is you.

The opportunity

Southern New Hampshire University is seeking a student employee to fill the role of Dog (Canine) Kennel Technician for our partner organization Friends of the Manchester Animal Shelter in Manchester, NH. Our kennel technicians play a vital role in our team here at The Friends of the Manchester Animal Shelter. They are responsible for caring after, cleaning, training, and working all of the dogs we get in. We are able to hold 17 dogs here in-house (meaning in the shelter). As a kennel technician, you will be trained on the daily needs of the dogs, including how to clean the kennels, walk each individual dog, how to work on behavior modification, how to create enrichment, participate in events, and more.
This is a physical position, where you will be expected to work at a fast pace. You would need to be able to lift & carry items of at least 50lbs, as well as interact with & walk large, muscular dogs. We have a wooded trail on our property, as well as a fenced in area. As a SNHU student, you will not be permitted to take dogs off site.

**We use peanut butter heavily in this position. If you have an allergy to peanuts, this would not be an ideal position for you

Job Responsibilities:

• Check in with staff/ canine technicians when you arrive. What is needed first?
• Have a walkie talkie on your person & it’s turned on & working, before entering inside the kennel.
• Read the whiteboard on each dog’s kennel BEFORE you start cleaning, to ensure you are not missing any important information.
• Help clean inside kennels; involves removing waste, replacing linens, changing toys, scrubbing & disinfecting kennels, rinsing, drying & setting kennel back up for each dog. (18 kennels)
• Ensure each dog has fresh bedding, toys, water, and has breakfast ready inside the kennel before letting it back inside.
• Once all dogs' insides are clean, let them back inside. Move to outside kennels & repeat cleaning routine.
• Prioritizing cleaning the kennels in the morning before walks.
• Walking dogs in the kennel that you are trained to interact with & walk.
• Check dog laundry is running; ensuring you are shaking out all debris in towels/ blankets, etc.
• TRASH any blankets or towels covered in gross debris.
• Relay any strange behaviors from dogs/ medical concerns/ issues with canine staff immediately & effectively.
• Setting up kennels for dogs on intake.
• Take out trash on outside kennels & in play yards.
• Ability to lift 50lbs.
• Ability to walk dogs who are large, strong, sometimes over 80lbs.
• Ability to multitask.
• Ability to walk strong dogs on a wooded trail.
• Make enrichment for dogs of all varieties. We have tons of supplies for enrichment, and we should be changing up what we give them.
• Cleaning out kennel drains once a week.
• Ensuring the feeding station is clean & kept.
• Helping with morning feeding if needed (ask a staff member)
• Ensuring the walk ways are safe & stable before you are walking the dogs.
• Help to sand the kennels, walk ways, play yards, etc in the winter time.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current enrollment in classes as part of a SNHU degree program
• Work study part of financial aid package
• Students with work study may be prioritized
• Reliable transportation
• You need to be over 18 years old.
• You should be able to lift at least 50 lbs.
• Physically able to walk strong dogs in rain, show & shine.
• Physically able to clean kennels, can be very physical work.
• Able to read dog body language.
• Wearing appropriate clothing for kennel tech; thick jeans or comfortable pants, waterproof boots or shoes, jacket, hat; dress according to weather!
• Communication skills - not afraid to speak to other volunteers, staff, use walkie talkies.
• Able to detect other volunteers simultaneously walking with dogs and act accordingly.

Learning Outcomes:

Being a kennel technician can be an extremely rewarding experience! It can whip you into shape & unveil so many truths behind why animals behave the way they do in a shelter setting. The best feeling in the world is befriending an animal who comes in un-trusting & scared; and watching them blossom into a
completely different animal. Though this work is mentally & physically demanding, it is even more rewarding. You will learn how to handle dogs, about defensive dog handling, about dog behaviors in a shelter setting, how to properly disinfect a kennel, learn to harness & leash up the dogs including tools such as
easy-walk harnesses, gentle-leaders, slip-leads, halter-leads & more. You will learn how to interact with each individual dog, and the “why” behind each tactic & protocol.

Work Schedule:

Days We are looking for Kennel Coverage: (we can make it work with your schedule!)

• Sundays 8:00 am - 10:00 am & 3:00pm - 6:00pm
• Mondays 8:00 am - 10:00 am & 3:00pm - 6:00pm
• Tuesdays 8:00 am - 10:00 am & 3:00pm - 6:00pm
• Wednesdays 8:00 am - 10:00 am & 3:00pm - 6:00pm
• Thursdays 8:00 am - 10:00 am & 3:00pm - 6:00pm
• Thursdays 8:00 am - 10:00 am & 3:00pm - 6:00pm
• Saturdays 3:00pm - 7:00pm

We believe real innovation comes from inclusion - where different experiences, perspectives and talents are celebrated. So if you're wondering whether SNHU is right for you, take the leap and apply. You might be just the person we're looking for.

Compensation