Animal Care Expert (Grade 1)

Department: Operations  

Reports To: Shelter Manager 

Classification: Full-Time/Part-Time, Non-Exempt 

Pay Scale: $20.15-$22.86 (hourly) 

Starting Range: $20.15-$21.63 (hourly) 

Location: Shelter 

 
Who We’re Looking For 

You find job satisfaction in creating meaningful change – whether that’s turning a poop-covered kennel into a clean and cozy sleeping space or finding just the right squeaky toy to bring a shy dog out of hiding. You like working on your feet, staying calm when things get busy, and finding the sparkles of joy that keep you motivated in a caring profession.  

You can keep yourself on task while also recognizing when priorities need to shift or a teammate needs help. You approach animals with curiosity and compassion, paying attention to what their behavior may be telling you rather than making assumptions. You take pride in doing excellent work while understanding that sheltering is a team effort – and that communicating, asking for help, and learning from mistakes are part of doing the job well.  

 You understand that everyone’s work contributes to the health and welfare of the animals in our care and you take ownership of keeping our facility clean, safe, and welcoming for both two-legged and four-legged animals.  

Purpose of the Position 

The Animal Care Expert – Grade 1 (ACE1) provides excellent daily care that supports the physical and emotional health of animals housed at HSCO.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Clean and sanitize kennels, animal housing areas, and associated workspaces including dishes, laundry, storage areas, and common spaces.  

• Feed animals according to established instructions and ensure access to clean water and appropriate daily care.   

• Observe animals during routine care and promptly communicate changes in physical health, behavior, appetite, or overall wellbeing to the appropriate staff member. 

• Provide daily enrichment, social connection, and physical and mental exercise appropriate to individual animals.  

• Provide targeted enrichment and support for long-stay animals or animals experiencing greater barriers to placement. 

• Follow established animal handling, sanitation, safety, and disease-prevention practices.  

• Organize and prioritize assigned work to ensure essential animal care needs are completed while remaining responsive to changing needs through the day.  

• Communicate with teammates when priorities conflict, concerns arise, or additional support is needed. 

• May assist with dog playgroups and other animal enrichment activities based on training and operational needs. 

What Success Looks Like 

• Animals consistently have clean, safe, and comfortable living spaces and receive attentive daily care.  

• Changes in an animal's physical or emotional well-being are noticed and communicated promptly, including appropriate documentation 

• Animals receive meaningful enrichment, exercise, and social connection to support their individual needs.  

• Essential work gets done even when the day doesn't go according to plan because priorities are adjusted and teammates communicate and help one another.  

• Coworkers can rely on you to take ownership of your work, ask for help when you need it, and contribute to the needs of the larger team.  

• You continue building your animal care knowledge and skills through feedback, curiosity, practice, and experience. 

 This Role Probably Isn’t for You If… 

• You prefer to start work later than 6am or you aren’t available to work weekends or holidays. 

• You need a work environment without strong smells, loud noises, or physically demanding cleaning.  

• You aren’t prepared with strategies to support yourself while working in an environment that can sometimes be stressful or emotional. 

• When something doesn’t look right, you’re more likely to assume someone else will handle it, rather than ask questions or bring it to someone’s attention.  

• When your day doesn’t go as expected, you tend to withdraw and become frustrated rather than communicate, reprioritize, and ask for the help you need. 

• You prefer focusing only on “your” assigned tasks, rather than pitching in when the animals, facility, or team need your help.  

• You view feedback or mistakes primarily as criticism rather than opportunities to learn and improve.

Our Commitment to You:

HSCO recognizes our employees as our greatest resource. We are dedicated to maintaining a supportive culture that welcomes diverse and compassionate team members who gain satisfaction from helping pets and people in our community. While this work can be challenging, we strive to find positivity, camaraderie, and fun wherever we can.

HSCO offers competitive wages and benefit packages. The following benefits are available for full-time employees (40hrs/week):

• Health insurance (PPO or HSA) with 100% of premium for employee is paid by HSCO (equivalent of $6,000 in premiums annually)
• Corporate Dental Membership, 100% premium for employee is paid by HSCO
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Simple IRA. Up to 3% match offered to participants, after 1 year of service.
• Paid Time Off accrual of 120 hours in the first year
• Personal Time Off of 24 hours/year
• Holiday Pay for seven holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day)
• Discounted veterinary care for your pets
• Discounts at the HSCO Thrift Store