PUPS- Temp Animal Care Assistant

About Maple Grove, MN Maple Grove is a forward-thinking, thriving community in the northwest suburbs of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. We are home to over 70,000 residents with a projected population of 90,000 by 2040 with 2,500 acres of undeveloped land. The City of Maple Grove is proud to employ over 250 benefit-earning employees, 500+ part-time, casual, temporary, seasonal employees, and 100 paid-on-call firefighters to staff our many departments. We provide public safety, public works, community and economic development, parks & recreation, and many other important public services to a growing community. The Position Looking to help animals in need? Then join the PUPS Animal Care Assistant team for The City of Maple Grove! You will be able to provide genuine care to animals that are recovered in Maple Grove and its neighboring communities, learn proper handling techniques, and further your knowledge and training working with animals. Help us reconnect families and their pets, as well as work with rescues by coordinating transfers of pets and helping them find their new forever home! We are currently seeking candidates who have a flexible schedule and could provide coverage as needed. Pets Under Police Security (PUPS) is a division of the Maple Grove Police Department that serves the cities of Maple Grove, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, New Hope, Plymouth, and Robbinsdale. PUPS is a dedicated animal facility for lost pets, bite quarantines and safekeeping holds that are recovered or turned over to law enforcement agencies. PUPS acts as a holding center for these animals, assists owners with reclaiming their pets, and helps coordinate the transfer of unclaimed pets to rescues.

Hours:

Schedule may include any of the following shifts: weekdays from 8:00-11:00 a.m. or 2:00-6:00 p.m.; weekends and holidays from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 5:00-6:30 p.m. (This position averages 9-15 hours per week and includes both weekday and weekend hours) •This position is open until filled•Responsibilities Provides animals with enrichment opportunities. Update daily observations forms on all animals. Provides food and water to all animals in the facility. Documents lost and found pets when reported and correspond with the general public. Answers telephone and responds to voicemail messages. Release impounded animals to owners and rescue groups. Cleans kennels thoroughly and ensures the facility is kept organized and clean. Performs basic janitorial duties such as sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting and emptying waste receptacles and additional duties relating to the care of the PUPS facility.

Ability to:

Ability to perform general maintenance job duties. Ability to work independently and maintain order.

Qualifications Need to have:

Must be at least 18 years of age or older. Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Nice to have:

Must have a sincere interest in animals. Customer Service experience. Experience with or ability to learn safe handling techniques for aggressive animals. Animal care experience. Excellent interpersonal and effective communication skills. Experience with general maintenance and janitorial duties.

Supplemental Information Compensation:

The 2026 salary range for this position is $16.586-$20.161 per hour. The starting rate is $16.586 per hour. Employees receive an annual performance evaluation and are eligible for a yearly step increase in accordance with the PUPS-Temp Animal Care Assistant wage scale. Annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) are applied each January.

About the position type:

This position is considered to be a non-benefit earning, part-time position and is considered to be non-exempt as it relates to overtime with The City of Maple Grove under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).