ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST

ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST 

JOB DESCRIPTION 

JOB TITLE:              ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST

REPORTS TO: OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

HOURS:                PART-TIME, 25-29 HRS WEEKLY, NONEXEMPT

PAY RATE:        $11-12 HOUR

JOB SUMMARY

Work with colleagues to complete daily cleaning, feeding, and enrichment for all animals at Petworks Animal Services. Follow shelter protocols for maintaining a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for animals and people. Assist with shelter programs including intake, adoptions, and volunteer programming as assigned. 

NOTE: ANIMAL CARE SPECIALISTS MUST WORK WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS WHEN SCHEDULED. A set weekly schedule can be provided. 

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Follows protocols to ensure each shelter animal receives appropriate food, water, and enrichment every day

• Cleans and disinfects animal cages, kennels, holding areas, rooms, hallways, bathrooms, and other shelter spaces according to shelter protocols

• Completes daily laundry, dishes, and other general maintenance and cleaning duties as assigned

• Completes additional animal care tasks, including bathing, grooming, exercising, and social interaction as trained and assigned

• Observes and documents information about animal health and behavior in shelter software

• Transports animals to and from veterinary appointments, adoption events, and transfer partners as assigned

• Participates in behavioral assessment and modification activities as assigned

• Sorts donations, organizes supplies, and updates inventories and order requests

• Maintains a clean, organized, and well-stocked working area

• Responds to inquiries from volunteers and community members as trained and directs them to the appropriate staff member or resource as needed

• Supports leadership staff in training new employees and volunteers as assigned

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Written and verbal English proficiency required. Applicants with Spanish proficiency encouraged to apply. 

• Previous animal care or animal shelter experience preferred. 

• A commitment to humane and low-stress animal handling and care is required. 

• Compassionate and professional communication skills are required for in-person and written communication with staff, volunteers, and community members. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Perform a variety of tasks including sitting and standing, lifting up to 50 pounds repetitively, typing, writing, answering phones, and filing.

• Work safely around unruly, fractious, sick, injured, dangerous, or deceased dogs and cats, chemical compounds (e.g., bleach, disinfectants, medications), and follow proper protocols to decrease risk of exposure to parasites and infectious diseases.

• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with groups and individuals (including leadership, staff, and volunteers), and to work under pressure with a public audience and have patience and tact when working with difficult or emotional people and situations.

• Maintain flexibility with regard to irregular hours, schedule changes, weekends, holidays, and additional hours when necessary.

• Be comfortable working in an office setting, animal areas, on the grounds of the shelter facility, office building, or off-site, often with elevated noise levels.

• Ability to perform a variety of tasks in all weather conditions, including standing, kneeling, walking, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.

• Must not have an allergic condition that prevents the employee from performing any essential function of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position.