Animal Care Specialist

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Reports To: Lead Animal Care and Health Technician

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Position Summary

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The Animal Care Specialist is responsible for providing compassionate daily care to shelter animals while maintaining a safe, clean, and sanitary environment for animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors. This position supports animal health and welfare through proper husbandry, cleaning, enrichment, observation, recordkeeping, and customer service.

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Animal Care Specialists work closely with shelter leadership, veterinary partners, volunteers, fosters, and the public to support the mission of Sequoia Humane Society and help animals successfully transition to their next homes.

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Primary Responsibilities

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Animal Care

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• Provide daily care, feeding, watering, and enrichment for shelter animals.
\n• Monitor animals for signs of illness, injury, stress, or unusual behavior and report concerns promptly.
\n• Ensure animals receive appropriate housing, sanitation, exercise, and enrichment.
\n• Safely and humanely handle animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical conditions.
\n• Assist with animal intake, movement, transfers, adoptions, and foster placements as directed.
\n• Support behavioral training and positive reinforcement handling practices.

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Cleaning and Sanitation

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• Clean and disinfect kennels, cages, runs, equipment, dishes, litter boxes, and other shelter areas.
\n• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and disease prevention throughout the facility.
\n• Sort, wash, and organize animal bedding, towels, and laundry.
\n• Assist with inventory organization and supply stocking.
\n• Follow all workplace safety procedures and immediately report safety hazards, injuries, animal bites, equipment concerns, or workplace incidents to a supervisor.

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Recordkeeping and Compliance

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• Maintain accurate animal records and daily care documentation.
\n• Follow shelter policies, safety procedures, and animal welfare protocols.
\n• Assist with tracking medications, treatments, and animal care instructions as directed.

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Customer Service and Community Support

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• Assist adopters, fosters, volunteers, and visitors in a professional and welcoming manner.
\n• Provide basic information regarding shelter services, adoption procedures, foster opportunities, and lost animal inquiries.
\n• Support adoption events, community outreach activities, and public engagement efforts.

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Facility Support

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• Assist with routine facility maintenance and grounds upkeep.
\n• Help maintain a safe, organized, and professional shelter environment.
\n• Report maintenance, safety, or operational concerns to supervisors.

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Required Qualifications

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• Demonstrated compassion for animals and commitment to animal welfare.
\n• Experience working with dogs, cats, and other companion animals preferred.
\n• Ability to safely handle animals of varying sizes, temperaments, and medical conditions.
\n• Strong work ethic and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
\n• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and maintain accurate records.
\n• Strong communication and customer service skills.
\n• Valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record.
\n• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds or more.
\n• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment with exposure to cleaning chemicals, animal noise, odors, and varying weather conditions.

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Preferred Qualifications

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• Previous experience in an animal shelter, veterinary clinic, rescue organization, boarding facility, kennel, or related animal care setting.
\n• Knowledge of animal behavior, enrichment, and low-stress handling techniques.

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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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• Knowledge of animal care, sanitation, disease prevention, and animal welfare practices.
\n• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
\n• Ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
\n• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism under pressure.
\n• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, fosters, veterinary partners, and the public.
\n• Ability to comply with all workplace safety policies, OSHA requirements, and Sequoia Humane Society safety procedures.
\n• Ability to safely use cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
\n• Commitment to maintaining a safe work environment for animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
\n• Commitment to the mission, values, and long-term success of Sequoia Humane Society.

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Schedule and Working Conditions

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Daily reporting hours and days of work vary according to the shelter's operating schedule. This position requires weekend, evening, and holiday work as needed.

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This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime in accordance with applicable federal and California labor laws.

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Job Type: Part-time
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\nPay: $16.90 - $18.00 per hour depending on skills and experience
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\nEducation

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• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

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Sequoia Humane Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Qualified applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

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