An Animal Care Worker or Manager manages animal care and grooming for a retail store that sells pets or for a pet grooming business. May also provide animal care and grooming at a kennel. Works with animals in shelters or rescue organizations. Works primarily with dogs and cats. Assists veterinarians with vaccinations or other procedures; screens people who want to adopt an animal from a shelter and provides information about caring for animals.
Kennel Attendant - Back Kennels Department We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Kennel Attendant to join our Back Kennels team. This department primarily houses medium- to large-sized adult dogs. The Kennel Attendant is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, cleanliness, and overall well-being of the animals in our care while providing excellent customer service to adopters and visitors.
About us:
The Gulf Coast Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter founded in 1945. We care for approximately 3,000 dogs and cats each year, providing compassionate care to vulnerable animals while supporting pets in our community.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Clean and sanitize animal living spaces and kennels daily from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Sundays) and maintain the cleanliness and upkeep of these areas throughout the day. Provide daily animal care and perform general housekeeping tasks, including, but not limited to, feeding, bathing, walking, enrichment activities, socialization, basic grooming, laundry, and administering medications as directed. Monitor animal behavior, health, and living conditions, and promptly report concerns to the appropriate supervisor or manager. Assist prospective adopters by answering questions, providing guidance on animal care and behavior, conducting meet-and-greets between adopters and animals, and processing adoptions. Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in the shelter software system and department tracking tools, including animal locations, walk logs, medication records, and other required documentation. Assist in other departments as needed and perform other duties as assigned.
Schedule:
Full-time position Five days per week Weekend availability required
Hours:
Monday-Saturday:
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday:
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Employees receive a one-hour unpaid lunch break during each scheduled shift.
Rate of Pay:
Starting pay - $12 per hour
Benefits:
Medical, dental, and vision insurance Paid time off 3% employer-matching
SIMPLE IRA
retirement plan Free or discounted animal care services for employee-owned pets Discounted staff adoption rates
Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent required. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Previous animal care experience preferred. Demonstrated maturity, reliability, and sound judgment. Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to interact professionally with the public, employees, volunteers, and adopters. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. Excellent customer service skills. Comfortable handling dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
Work may involve exposure to inclement weather, loud noises, infectious diseases, parasites, animal waste, and cleaning chemicals. Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, and perform physical tasks throughout an entire shift. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Ability to safely handle and restrain animals as needed. Must be comfortable working around animals that may be fearful, stressed, energetic, or sick.
Background Check Requirement:
All employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Applicants must be able to meet the organization's background screening requirements as a condition of employment.
Pay:
From $12.00 per hour
Benefits:
Dental insurance Employee discount Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance
