Employment Opportunities at AWA
Animal Welfare Association is a Great Place to Work
AWA employees become part of a greater mission to make a difference in the lives of thousands of animals.
Benefits for Full Time Employees
- Health Insurance
- Vacation and Holidays
- Discounts on Pet Vaccinations and Medications
- The Joy of Helping Homeless Animals Find Homes!
Open Positions
See a position you're interested in? Send an email with your resume to the contact provided in the job listing.
AWA is seeking a skilled and compassionate veterinarian to lead our team at an access to affordable care clinic.
Our ideal candidate is committed to providing high-quality medical care to pets while prioritizing accessibility and affordability for all pet owners. If you're passionate about preventive medicine, diagnostics, and treatment, and dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pets in our community, we want you on our team!
Full-time position offers competitive pay and benefits: health insurance coverage, paid time off, paid holidays and stipend for continuing education credits and/or licensing fees. Salary commensurate with experience.
Objective:
Access to affordable vet care is a priority of AWA’s mission. This role will help lead AWA and the clinic team to help us ensure owned dogs and cats have access to care that improves their welfare, decreases suffering, while being compassionate, respectful, and considerate of both pets and family circumstances. This position will oversee the medical operations of AWA’s public Pet Clinic.
Including:
Develop and implement protocols for veterinary medical and surgical care for clinic animals in accordance with standards of best practices. Provide high quality medical and surgical care including high quality high volume spay/neuter surgery clinic animals. Coordinate with veterinarians, veterinary staff, and other departments to optimize animal care and availability of services. Ensure compliance with state and federal laws governing animal care, veterinary medicine, reportable diseases, and controlled substances.
Attend staff meetings and important organizational events, as necessary. Behave in a manner that upholds both personal and professional standards, as an ambassador of the AWA, at all times.
Qualifications
A DVM degree from an accredited school of veterinary medicine. A license to practice veterinary medicine in the state of New Jersey (or the ability to obtain one). Professional Liability Insurance. · 5-7 years’ experience working as a veterinarian · 3-5 years’ experience managing veterinary technician staff
To apply, send resume to: Laurah@awanj.org
Seeking a skilled and compassionate veterinarian to join our team at an access to affordable care clinic. Our ideal candidate is committed to providing high-quality medical care to pets while prioritizing accessibility and affordability for all pet owners.
If you're passionate about preventive medicine, diagnostics, and treatment, and dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pets in our community, we want you on our team!
Full-time position offers competitive pay and benefits: health insurance coverage, paid time off, paid holidays and stipend for continuing education credits and/or licensing fees. Salary commensurate with experience.
Objective:
Access to affordable vet care is a priority of AWA’s mission. This role is crucial to helping us ensure owned dogs and cats have access to care that improves their welfare, decreases suffering, while being compassionate, respectful, and considerate of both pets and family circumstances.
This role will perform wellness care, vaccine services, dental services and high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgeries for client-owned animals in our Pet Clinic as well as support various community outreach programs offsite with the goal to provide services to those in need. Occasional support for the shelter pet clinic may be requested.
Attend staff meetings and important organizational events, as necessary. Behave in a manner that upholds both personal and professional standards, as an ambassador of the AWA, at all times.
Qualifications
· Degree in veterinary medicine from an accredited school required. · Licensed to practice in New Jersey, or ability to obtain license prior to employment.
To apply, send resumes to: Laurah@awanj.org
Assists with all practices and procedures of medical and surgical support, preparation, monitoring, and release of animals. Assess and monitor overall health, provide initial and routine medications and vaccines. Determine basic animal information at time of intake and maintain standards and record keeping as directed by the Clinic/Shelter Veterinarian.
Essential Functions:
- Adheres to agency Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to include standard best practices on safety and compliance
- Keeps all work areas, facilities, equipment, and animal cages clean and sanitized at all times
- Receives animals upon drop-off for surgery, at Shelter intake, and for foster care
- Maintains proper animal identification
- Checks animals for illness, infestations, injuries, or abnormalities, and performs diagnostic tests as directed by the Veterinarian
- Handles and restrains animals, including fractious and feral animals properly and safely
- Inoculates, medicates, feeds, and cares for animals as indicated by the Veterinarian
- Performs pre- and post-surgical related duties to include but not limited to, cleaning instruments, wrapping packs, and maintaining machines/equipment
- Responsible for the efficient induction and prepping of animals for surgery, to include monitoring animals recovering from anesthesia
- Assists with dental procedures including taking dental radiographs, anesthesia monitoring, and scaling and polishing
- Performs post-surgical duties and checks to ensure proper recovery of the animals
- Dispenses prescribed medications
- Meets and talks with clients during admission, exams, vaccination clinics, foster rechecks, and surgical release, giving accurate and understandable instructions for post-surgical care and treatments as needed
- Prepares and maintains accurate medical records through agency database systems to include controlled substance logs
- Participates in euthanasia and disposal of animals as needed
- Responsible for handling after-hours emergency medical calls
- Humane treatment of animals
- Is able to accept and explain the concepts of prepubescent sterilization, prerelease sterilization of adopted animals and humane euthanasia
- Must recognize or be willing to gain working knowledge of normal and abnormal health and behavioral conditions of the patients, pre- and post-surgery
- Knowledge of the diseases and disorders of animals, spay/neuter, related procedures, animal handling and restraint
- Familiarity with medical terminology and medical knowledge preferred
- Mathematical skills for drug conversions and dosing preferred
- Knowledge of disinfecting procedures; antisepsis and asepsis
- High School graduate, associate degree as Veterinary Technician preferred
- 1-2 years’ experience performing Veterinary Technician duties preferred
- Exposure to animals such as cats, dogs, and exotics
- Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. unassisted, and over 50 lbs. with assistance
- Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects. Peanut butter is used extensively throughout the facility.
- Long periods of standing, bending, stooping, reaching, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions will be required
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Position Requirements:
Qualifications:
Physical Factors:
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
To apply, send resumes to: RyanC@awanj.org
Working in cooperation with the Pet Clinic Manager, the Veterinary Technician Supervisor is responsible for:
- Leading the Pet Clinic Technician team in the provision of daily medical care of all community/owned animals, ensuring quality of care.
- Overseeing the operation and upkeep of the Pet Clinic medical suite, including its equipment, inventory, supplies, and medications.
Animal General Veterinary Care
- Receive, handle, and restrain animals--including fractious and feral animals--properly and safely
- Maintain proper animal identification, ensuring that appropriate paperwork accompanies animals throughout their stay in the Pet Clinic
- Supervise and/or perform checks on animals for illness, infestations, injuries, or abnormalities
- Supervise and/or perform diagnostic tests, procedures, and treatments as directed by the attending veterinarian or per standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Dispense prescribed medications and/or supervise the medication of all community/owned animals
- Provide the veterinarian with equipment and special surgical instruments, surgical packs, and lab and clinic material
- Supervise and maintain responsibility for proper pre-medication and induction of surgical patients, ensuring staff follow operating protocols
- Oversee and direct proper monitoring of anesthetized animals before, during, and recovering from anesthesia after surgery
- Oversee and perform post-surgical duties/checks to ensure proper recovery of the animals
- Document and communicate any post-surgical complications to the veterinarian and Management
- Model positive and active team communications through the day to ensure smooth operations
- Maintain a collaborative relationship across AWA departments
- Ensure veterinarian is supported during intake, medical, illness, and surgery exams
- Meet and talk with customers, providing accurate and understandable instructions regarding the animals’ diagnoses and treatments
- Prepare and maintain accurate medical records for Pet Clinic animal files, including but not limited to: Animal history, treatment and vaccinations records, as well as DEA and pharmaceutical logs
- Provide statistical reports as required by Management
- Ensure accuracy of inventory management, following SOPs for ordering supplies, etc.
- Understand and adhere to the budget for the Pet Clinic
- Ensure all Pet Clinic medical suite animal cages are cleaned and sanitized through the day
- Ensure the Pet Clinic medical suite is cleaned through the day and prepared for the next day
- Ensure medical supplies are stocked for the next day; laundry cleaned and stored; fluids filled and set up; packs prepared, etc.
- Oversee and/or perform the proper pre- and post-surgical related duties including: Cleaning instruments and wrapping packs
- Perform minor maintenance tasks on all Pet Clinic medical suite equipment and refer any problems appropriately
- In conjunction with Management, interview, hire, train, and review performance of Pet Clinic staff members (Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants)
- As needed, address performance concerns, develop and implement corrective action plans
- Report employee, volunteer, or client concerns to Management
- Ensure training of personnel according to professional standards, AWA Clinic/Shelter SOPs, OSHA regulations, and customer service standards
- Develop and maintain training manuals; set up ongoing training sessions in conjunction with Management
- Oversee and evaluate staff while performing exams, restraint, inoculations, medicating, feeding, and general caring of animals as indicated by attending veterinarian or per SOPs.
- Ensure staff are able to perform emergency interventions (drugs used, catheter placement, CPR, etc.)
- Belief in the mission and values of AWA
- Adherence to all organizational policies, procedures, and safety standards
- Professional, tactful demeanor with ability to cultivate relationships
- Must have familiarity with medical terminology and medical knowledge
- Able to accept and explain the concepts of prepubescent sterilization, pre-release sterilization of adopted animals and humane euthanasia
- Must recognize or be willing to gain working knowledge of normal and abnormal health and behavioral conditions of the patients, pre- and post-surgery and shelter animals
- Knowledge of the diseases and disorders of animals including common infectious diseases found in animal sheltering, spay and neuter and related procedures, and animal handling and restraint
- Able to do mathematics for drug conversions and dosing
- Knowledge of disinfecting procedures; antisepsis and asepsis
- Self-directed, meets deadlines with minimal support while handling multiple tasks simultaneously, proving an ability to prioritize and maintain complex and overlapping deadlines
- Successful experience collaborating and leading teams (staff and/or volunteer)
- Associate’s degree or above preferred but not required
- 2-5 years’ experience as Veterinary Technician, including Surgical Technician experience
- A minimum of 2 years managing personnel, volunteers and/or teams
- Working knowledge of computer systems and veterinary software. Knowledge of NEO and PetPoint helpful
- Trained (or willingness to be trained) to perform euthanasia on a variety of companion and small animals
- Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record required
- Work performed in Pet Clinic with high exposure to animals
- Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects
- Able to supervise, and to properly handle and restrain, scared, aggressive, and feral animals properly and safely
- Able to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted, and over 50 lbs. with assistance
- Long periods of standing, bending, stooping, reaching, holding, restraining are required as are leading groups in discussion and entering data in computer
- Movement to and from various facility, campus, and off-site locations is required which will result in exposure to temperature and environment changes
- A varying schedule may be required to ensure adequate staff coverage
- On-call hours required, both after hours and as part of rotating emergency phone list
- May be required to drive AWA Mobile Clinic van for participation in offsite community events
Physical Factors:
- Exposure to animals such as cats, dogs, and exotics- Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs. unassisted, and over 50 lbs. with assistance
- Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects. Peanut butter is used extensively throughout the facility.
- Long periods of standing, bending, stooping, reaching, and working outdoors in varying weather conditions will be required
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Dental insurance- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
To apply, send resumes to: RyanC@awanj.org
The Clinic Office Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the front-end clinic staff, ensuring exceptional client service, accurate billing, efficient scheduling, and smooth communication between clients and the clinic team. This position plays a critical role in maintaining the workflow of the clinic’s administrative functions and fostering a professional, welcoming environment for clients, staff, and volunteers.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- Provide direct supervision to all clinic front-end team members.
- Schedule front desk staff and ensure appropriate coverage to meet operational needs.
- Monitor and support the daily workflow, ensuring staff deliver prompt, courteous, and professional service.
- Conduct timely and constructive performance evaluations.
- Coach, mentor, and assist staff with complex or sensitive tasks when needed.
- Seek out and assign Professional Development training as needed.
- Perform other supervisory duties as assigned.
- Manage client appointment scheduling to optimize clinic capacity and meet patient care needs.
- Ensure client records are accurately created and maintained.
- Monitor and ensure timely responses to client inquiries via phone, email, and in-person interactions.
- Greet and assist clients, visitors, and volunteers, ensuring a positive and professional experience.
- Oversee check-in and check-out procedures for all clinic appointments following AWA’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Coordinate the movement of patients through intake and discharge to maintain clinic flow.
- Supervise all clerical and administrative support tasks, ensuring efficiency and adherence to clinic standards.
- Train and support staff on front-end procedures, cash handling, and client communications.
- Manage client complaints or conflicts with empathy, professionalism, and efficiency.
- Oversee the full billing cycle, including invoice creation, payment collection, and account reconciliation.
- Review and audit invoices for accuracy and compliance with clinic policies and guidelines.
- Handle and resolve billing inquiries and disputes with professionalism and care.
- Supervise and perform end-of-day and morning opening financial procedures, including daily reporting and reconciliations (e.g., NEO reports).
- Ensure deposits are correctly recorded and applied to client accounts.
- Maintain appropriate cash levels for daily operations and offsite events/services.
- Ability to lead, motivate, and guide a team
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with staff, clients, and other departments
- Ability to analyze billing data, identify issues, and develop solutions
- Ensuring accuracy in billing processes and data entry
- Prior experience in billing or accounting
- Prior experience in management with strong supervisory and leadership skills
- Proficient in Pet Clinic POS/veterinary database NEO
- Belief in the mission and values of AWA.
- Adherence to all organizational policies, procedures, and safety standards.
- Must recognize or be willing to gain working knowledge of normal and abnormal health and behavioral conditions of the Pet Clinic patients in order to inform clients of any issues.
- Must be able to operate a multi-line phone system, basic office machinery, and a computer
- Must be able to learn computer software quickly and efficiently.
- Quickly learn and adapt to changes in policies, procedures, and safety standards.
- Maintain composure and the ability to tactfully and effectively work with the public and co-workers.
- Demonstrate flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload.
- High School graduate required
- 2-5 years’ experience in high volume veterinary clinic preferred
- Working knowledge of computer systems, POS, and client/medical database systems.
- Work performed in animal clinic, high exposure to animals.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted, and over 50 lbs. with assistance.
- Potential exposure to zoonotic disease, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects.
- Prolonged periods of standing, bending, stooping, reaching, speaking on the phone, working at the computer, and working outdoors in differing climate may be required.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Dental insurance- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
To apply, send resumes to: RyanC@awanj.org
Behavior
- Ensure the completion of assessments on intake animals.
- Update assessments and behavior information and records as needed in Pet Point.
- Implement the completion of recording all SAFER assessments and behavior modification sessions.
- Identify animals that need behavior support/intervention, create/implement/document behavior modification plans for shelter animals.
- Implement and track enrichment programs for all animals.
- Develop and oversee playgroups, socialization and enrichment standards for all animals.
- Help to identify and establish procedures and management strategies for hard to place animals and those with LOS issues.
- Develop, teach, implement and oversee canine, feline and small animal behavior and training programs for the public, staff and volunteers.
- Implement, schedule and execute public training sessions/classes.
- Communicate with adopters via phone and email on behavior related questions; identify referrals and provide needed resources and post adoption support. Document such in Pet Point or designated tracking system.
- Identify euthanasia candidates and participate in discussion and decisions on such candidates.
- Uphold the principles and practices of LIMA.
- Maintain a certification of at least CPDT-KA or higher.
- Supervise behavior department staff of full-time, part-time and contracted employees.
- Oversee the animal handling portion of volunteer training.
- Ensure volunteers and staff are handling, interacting with and behaving in a humane and safe manner.
- Ensure proper staffing levels for the department.
- Provide performance feed back on a regular basis including introductory and yearly performance reviews for behavior staff to management.
- Interview and hire staff for the behavior department in conjunction with shelter manager.
- Participate in developing annual goals, budgets and programs for the behavior department.
- Ensure program goals and department goals are met and data is tracked.
- Communicate effectively with shelter management, medical staff, clinic staff, and development staff on departmental needs.
- Other duties as needed.
- Humane treatment of animals
- Prior experience with SAFER, Meet Your Match, and Felinality Assessments or equivalents thereof.
- Knowledge of animal health, behavioral conditions, and animal handling
- Knowledge of veterinary medical terms and processes; or willingness to learn
- Provide and record objective and accurate information
- Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- Effective teamwork capabilities, and communication and organizational skills
- Problem solving skills
- Time and project management skills
- Effective budgetary and cash management skills
- Customer service and employee management skills
- Bachelor’s degree in animal science or behavior preferred or equivalent years of work experience.
- CPDT-KA or higher certification required
- 1-3 years’ experience working in the companion animal field, shelter experience preferred.
- Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record
- Basic computer skills; knowledge of animal shelter software programs is a plus
- Work performed in shelter environment, high exposure to animals, requires animal handling
- Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases, dangerous and fractious animals, high noise levels, wet surfaces, hazardous chemicals, and sharp objects
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. unassisted, and over 50 lbs. with assistance
- Long periods of sitting, standing, working at computer and making phone calls, standing before groups, bending, stooping, reaching, and working outdoors in differing climate may be required
- Varying shifts, weekdays and weekends, and some holiday work required
- Overtime work as necessary
To apply, send resumes to: nancik@awanj.org