Job Description

What You'll Be Doing

Are you passionate about animal welfare and looking to make a real impact in your community? The Wake County Animal Center is seeking a dedicated Animal Welfare Technician (AWT) to support the health and well-being of homeless animals in our care.

In this fast-paced, rewarding environment, you will place each incoming animal on a "pathway" within the Center after intake processing. Some examples of "pathways" include, but are not limited to rescue and/or foster only, awaiting vet exam, awaiting behavioral assessment, available for adoption, awaiting euthanasia, etc. Each AWT is required to make decisions daily, in conjunction with management, about the placement of all incoming animals and whether each animal can be safely rehomed. The AWT team performs most of the euthanasia at the Wake County Animal Center and each AWT will be required to pass an exam and practical within the first six months to become a Certified Euthanasia Technician.

AWTs perform various tasks per day that include things such as, but are not limited to:

• SAFER behavior assessments
• Cleaning CI (the feline URI ward) and DI (the canine medical ward)
• Assisting Animal Welfare Attendants
• Handling fractious or aggressive animals
• Assisting the Veterinary Team
• Dispensing meds (as prescribed) twice daily
• Assisting Animal Control
• Providing back up for large scale hoarding or cruelty investigations
• Adoption counseling
• Deep cleaning the entire Center
• Preparing animal cadavers for rabies testing
• Assisting in the training of new employees from all departments
• Daily monitoring of animal health both physical and behavioral

About Our Team

The Wake County Animal Center is an open-admission animal shelter operated by Wake County Government and on average takes in between 11,000 to 12,000 animals each year. We receive all stray, abandoned and surrendered pets in Wake County. The Center works in partnership with fosters, volunteers and local rescues, to treat and rehome thousands of homeless animals every year.

The Basics (Required Education and Experience)

• High school diploma or GED
• Six months of experience in animal care or control
• Certified Euthanasia Technician (CET) - Must pass test/exam to become certified within 6 months of employment
• Certified Rabies Vaccinator (CRV) - Must pass test/exam to become certified within 6 months of employment
• Equivalent education and experience are accepted
• Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)

• Three years of related animal care experience
• Previous animal shelter experience
• CET - Certified Euthanasia Technician - must be obtained within six months of employment
• CRV - Certified Rabies Vaccinator - must be obtained within six months of employment

How Will We Know You're 'The One'?

• Safe, humane animal handling skills
• Ability to work with all types of domesticated animals
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

About This Position

Location: Wake County Animal Control Raleigh, NC 27610

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: Varying schedule - Sunday through Saturday. Varying hours 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Hiring Range: 25.70 - 28.83

Market Range: 25.70 - 31.96

Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 11/15/2026

What Makes Wake Great

Equal Opportunity Statement

Background Check Statement

Emergency Service Worker Statement

What Makes Wake Great

Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is the proud home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes, winners in 2006 and 2026. In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. Starting in fall 2026, the Wake County Board will have seven commissioners elected by voters in their districts and two at-large commissioners elected by the whole County. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2027 General Fund budget is approximately $2.28 billion, and the County has more than 5,000 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement

Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.