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Kennel Assistant Manager Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

$230K/yr

Role Description and Responsibilities The Emergency Veterinarian will manage a diverse emergency ... assistants, kennel staff, and diagnostic imaging professionals. Veterinarians are typically ...

Kennel Assistant Manager information

Is being a kennel assistant manager worth it?

A kennel assistant manager oversees daily operations of a kennel or animal care facility, managing staff, ensuring animal welfare, and maintaining cleanliness. The role offers hands-on work with animals, opportunities for advancement, and typically requires good organizational and communication skills. Compensation varies by location and experience but generally includes benefits such as flexible schedules and job stability.

What is the difference between Kennel Assistant Manager vs Kennel Technician?

AspectKennel Assistant ManagerKennel Technician
CertificationsBasic animal care, customer serviceAnimal handling, basic veterinary skills
Work EnvironmentSupervisory role in kennels, managing staffHands-on animal care, cleaning, feeding
Employer & Industry UsageAnimal shelters, kennels, pet care facilitiesVeterinary clinics, shelters, kennels
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Kennel Assistant Manager oversees daily operations and staff, focusing on management tasks, while the Kennel Technician primarily handles direct animal care and maintenance. Both roles are essential in kennel environments, but the Assistant Manager has additional supervisory responsibilities and a broader scope of duties.

What are the responsibilities of a kennel assistant manager?

A Kennel Assistant Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a kennel, ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of the animals in their care. They supervise staff, coordinate feeding, cleaning, and exercise routines, and monitor animal health, reporting any concerns to veterinarians or management. Additionally, they handle administrative tasks such as scheduling, inventory management, and communicating with pet owners. Strong organizational and leadership skills are essential for this role.

How to become a kennel assistant manager?

To become a kennel assistant manager, candidates typically need previous experience working with animals, such as as a kennel assistant or animal caregiver, along with strong organizational and leadership skills. Some employers may require a high school diploma or equivalent, and relevant certifications in animal care or first aid can be beneficial. Progression often involves gaining experience in kennel operations and demonstrating reliability and management abilities.

What are some common challenges faced by a kennel assistant manager, and how can they be effectively addressed?

A Kennel Assistant Manager often encounters challenges such as coordinating staff schedules, managing unexpected animal health issues, and ensuring high standards of cleanliness and care during busy periods. Effective communication and strong organizational skills are key to addressing these challenges. Developing clear protocols for animal care and emergency situations, as well as fostering a supportive team environment, can help mitigate stress and maintain smooth operations. Regular staff training and open feedback channels also contribute to a positive and efficient workplace.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a kennel assistant manager?

To thrive as a Kennel Assistant Manager, you need experience in animal care, knowledge of animal behavior, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent with some management experience. Familiarity with kennel management software, scheduling tools, and animal health monitoring systems is often required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you coordinate staff and ensure a safe, compassionate environment for animals. These abilities are crucial for maintaining operational efficiency, animal welfare, and team morale in a busy kennel setting.

Do you need a degree to be a kennel assistant manager?

A degree is not typically required to become a kennel assistant manager, but relevant experience in animal care, customer service, or management can be important. Many employers prioritize hands-on experience and skills over formal education for this role.

What are popular job titles related to Kennel Assistant Manager jobs in Oregon?

For Kennel Assistant Manager jobs in Oregon, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Kennel Assistant Manager jobs in Oregon look for?

The top searched job categories for Kennel Assistant Manager jobs in Oregon are:

What cities in Oregon are hiring for Kennel Assistant Manager jobs?

Cities in Oregon with the most Kennel Assistant Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Kennel Assistant Manager job openings in Oregon as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Dog Handler / Kennel Technician

Green Acres K9 Resort

Boring, OR

$18 - $24/hr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Wage: $18-$24/hour to start based on experience, plus tips (100% of tips are distributed to the team; typical additional $1-3/hour in effective wages). Structured raises to $22 at 6 months, $23 at 12 months, and $24+ at 24 months for handlers who join at the base rate. Career ladder posted publicly: Handler → Lead Handler → Assistant Manager → Manager.

Hours: 36-40 hours per week, with occasional overtime up to 45 hours during peak seasons paid at time-and-a-half. Weekend and holiday rotation is required. This is a scheduled shift job — you'll get a published schedule each week and be expected to work your assigned shifts. If you're looking for something you drop in and out of, this isn't it.

Location: Green Acres K9 Resort, 26075 SE Highway 212, Boring, Oregon 97009

ABOUT GREEN ACRES

Green Acres has been Portland-metro's family-owned boarding and daycare resort for 19 years. We sit on a 260,000 square-foot campus with pool, creek, pond, and real grass. Dogs live like they're on vacation, and we treat them that way. This isn't a warehouse job — this is a career track for people who genuinely love working with dogs and want to grow with a stable, respected small business.

WHAT YOU'LL DO (THE HONEST VERSION)

- Manage playgroups of 8-15 dogs safely — composing, monitoring, breaking up misbehavior calmly, never punitively

- Feed, water, and administer medications per each dog's care plan

- Clean kennels, yards, and common areas throughout the day — yes, that includes urine, feces, vomit, and the occasional mystery. If that's a dealbreaker, this is not your job.

- Perform temperament assessments on new dogs

- Escort dogs to/from pickup and drop-off, handle owner conversations at the counter

- Log incidents accurately and immediately

- Support the overnight and grooming teams as needed

- Follow SOPs for vaccinations, playgroup composition, cleaning, and emergencies

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

- Calm under pressure. A yard of 12 excited dogs doesn't rattle you.

- Service industry background (restaurant, retail, hospitality) OR prior kennel/vet clinic experience

- Physical fitness — you'll be on your feet all shift, occasionally lifting 40+ pounds, and moving fast

- Reliable transportation to Boring

- Comfort with weekend and holiday rotation

- Two references from prior employers

- Genuinely likes dogs — but understands that liking dogs is not a job skill; consistency, safety judgment, and physical stamina are

What we are NOT looking for:

- People who just want to hang out with dogs all day

- Anyone who thinks kennel work is a lifestyle rather than a job with structure and accountability

- Applicants who can't commit to weekend/holiday rotation

WHAT WE OFFER

- Starting wage $18-$24/hour with a written raise schedule ($22 at 6 months, $23 at 12 months, $24 at 24 months)

- 10 days PTO year one, 15 days year two — accrued from day 1

- QSEHRA health benefit — $250/month toward your individual health insurance premium

- 50% off boarding and daycare for your own dogs

- Hard cap 45 hours per week — no burnout schedules

- Guaranteed 2 consecutive days off each week

- Holiday rotation — the same 3 people don't cover Thanksgiving every year

- Quarterly team bonus ($250/person) when we hit a zero-bite-incident quarter

- 100% of tips are distributed to the team — pooled and split among staff

- Career ladder posted publicly — you know exactly what you need to do to advance

- Weekly 15-minute 1:1 with the owner — feedback goes both ways

OUR HIRING PROCESS (NO GHOSTING, NO SURPRISES)

1. Apply through Homebase — 5-minute application

2. 15-minute phone screen — if we like your app, we call within 3 business days

3. 30-minute in-person interview and facility tour — meet the owner, see the property

4. 90-minute paid working interview — you shadow a shift at $21/hour. We see how you move on the floor.

5. Reference check — we call 2 prior employers

6. Offer — within 5 business days of your working interview

You'll hear from us either way. If we're not moving forward, we tell you why.


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