Animal Care Attendant

Position Title: Part-time Animal Care Team
Classification: Part-time, non-exempt
Date: Immediately

**To ensure your resume is considered, please show us you can follow directions: Please do not call, email, or drop in about the job.**

Working at Young at Heart isn't just a job; it's being a part of making the world a better place for homeless animals. And it's working side by side with people who want to make the world a better place for homeless animals, whether that be your team members, volunteers, supporters, or adopters. Our senior animals' comfort and safety are our top priority here, so to apply for this position:

1. In lieu of a cover letter, please submit a paragraph about why you feel you would be a good addition to Young at Heart and include a copy of your resume.
2. To ensure your resume is considered and to prove you can follow directions, please respect our request for no job-related phone calls, emails, or drop-ins.

Position Summary

Young at Heart is a nonprofit animal welfare organization based in Woodstock, IL. We are not a traditional animal shelter, but a home-like facility that specializes in caring for senior dogs and cats for as long as they need to find a loving family. We operate a cage-free adoption center for senior dogs and cats, as well as a foster home and sanctuary program. We are an organization that embraces teamwork and a positive attitude toward rescuing and rehoming senior dogs and cats in our community.

We are seeking a part-time Animal Care Team person to join our team. The Animal Care Team provides safe and compassionate care for the senior dogs and cats at Young at Heart’s adoption center. The Animal Care Team is responsible for feeding and medicating all the animals, cleaning of all areas of the facility both indoor and outdoor, enrichment activities for both the dogs and cats, and working closely with the other team members in caring for the pets and where they live.

The preferred applicant is skilled at working with both groups of dogs and cats of varying temperaments and sizes, has a positive attitude, loves animals, and is highly committed to keeping our adoption center clean and organized. The ideal candidate is a team player who is adaptable, reliable, people-oriented, pays attention to detail, enjoys working with both animals and people, and has excellent communication and organizational skills.

Animal Care - What's involved?

• Prepare and provide food and water for the dogs and cats and medical care as assigned.
• Medicate both dogs and cats (pills, ear meds, eye meds, medicated baths, ointments) per instructions
• Clean, disinfect, and maintain pet areas at the adoption center and follow established disease control protocols
• Monitor dogs and cats and report health or behavioral abnormalities
• Assist with fitting and labeling of collars and harnesses, and ensure that all dogs wear appropriate equipment at the appropriate times
• Ensure pets have adequate and clean bedding at all times
• Perform dog bathing and basic pet grooming when needed
• Create and maintain animal care records for use by staff and volunteers
• Practice and encourage the humane treatment of dogs and cats

Facility Care

• Be comfortable with cleaning up pet urine, feces, and occasional vomit
• Clean up dog feces outside during playtime, potty time and walks
• Clean, de-clutter, and organize community spaces and storage areas
• Empty and remove garbage and recycling from all areas in the adoption center
• Clean and sanitize restrooms
• Operate laundry and dish-washing equipment
• Wash and fold adoption center laundry
• Scoop and scrub litter pans and wipe down walls
• Restock, note supply needs, and organize supplies
• Mop and vacuum floors
• Deep clean different area of the shelter as needed, both inside and outside
• Ensure all pet living quarters are clean, comfortable, and presentable at all times

People Care

While this job is mainly animal care, the ideal candidate will also be able to do the following when the situation arises:

• Demonstrate and promote a welcoming and supportive environment and proactively engage with adopters, volunteers, and donors to ensure they feel the Young at Heart love and have positive experiences
• Integrate, lead, mentor, and retain volunteers to assist with pet care and cleaning duties
• Maintain open and timely communication with staff and volunteer team members, and update data management resources
• Work cooperatively with all volunteers, recognizing the skills and commitment they bring to Young at Heart
• Provide feedback and guidance to volunteers regarding safety protocols and model safe work practices
• Provide quality customer service to adopters, volunteers, staff, donors, and visitors
• Welcome guests to Young at Heart’s adoption center, assist with adopter/pet introductions, provide information about the pets, and assist with adoption or foster placements
• Practice discretion with sensitive information regarding adopters, volunteers, employees, and our pets. Remain calm and reserve judgment in difficult or emotional situations.
• Accept and acknowledge in-kind donations

Reports to:

• Operations Manager/Executive Director

Position Requirements

• Work is performed at Young at Heart’s adoption center, which includes communal areas where dogs and cats live and are cared for, isolation area with medical cages, office spaces, many stairs, and outdoor locations.
• Work is both indoors and outdoors in all weather
• Regular exposure to free-roaming office and adoption center dogs and cats.
• Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling dogs and cats of unknown temperament
• Regular bending, reaching, kneeling, mopping, scrubbing, reaching, sitting on the floor, stair climbing, crouching, and dog walking with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds
• Wrangling of dogs both inside and outside as they want to go through doors or gates, and coordinating the opening and closing of doors and gates while dogs are pulling on leashes.
• Occasionally works at computer station and operates electronic equipment
• Exposure to disinfectant solutions
• Exposure to zoonotic diseases
• All staff are required to become a certified Fear Free™ shelter professional (training provided)
• All staff are required to learn and utilize our humane, science-based positive reinforcement program provided by A Sound Beginning (training provided)
• Must live in the state of Illinois

Required Education & Experience

All applicants must be 18 years of age or older and live in Illinois
High school diploma or equivalent is required

• Previous experience working with animals in a doggy daycare, vet office, boarding facility, or animal shelter preferred
• Experience with volunteering, animal rescue, animal welfare, or nonprofit work is a plus but not required
• We follow all CDC and local guidelines for Covid safety, which can change at any moment. If local government reinstated such requirements, masks may be required in the buildings as part of our health and safety protocols for staff and volunteers.

Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills

• Highly motivated, communicative, polite, and with a professional manner
• Team player, able to work in a busy work environment, embrace and foster change, problem solve, and regularly demonstrate flexibility
• Ability to calmly and efficiently handle situations ranging from routine to emergency
• General knowledge of dog and cat behavior and care
• Ability and skill to successfully work with various kinds of dogs and cats safely and responsibly
• Commitment to positive reinforcement handling and training methods
• Comfortable and willing to accommodate dogs or cats in work and office spaces
• Ability to multitask and work at an efficient pace
• Ability to follow daily and weekly task lists and charts
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions
• Ability to use a variety of cleaning tools, including but not limited to: vacuum, shop-vac, mop, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, disinfectant wipes, and solutions
• Willingness to learn, ask for clarification or help whenever needed, and seek out guidance from senior staff in situations you're unsure of
• Passion for helping senior pets and the people who love them

Salary & Benefits

• The starting pay for this position is $14.50 per hour with review and merit-based raise in 90 days
• This is a part-time, non-exempt position
• 16-25 hours per week; more available when training is complete
• Holiday pay is time and a half
• Staff t-shirts supplied
• Low-cost vet care available for personal pets after 90 days

The ideal candidate for this position has a flexible schedule and wants to make a career out of working with animals. The ideal candidate will be able to work 24-30 hours each week including weekends and holidays. Additional hours may be available. Doggy daycare, kennel, or vet care experience is preferred.

Weekends and holidays are required. Must be 18 years of age. Must live in Illinois. Must be able to handle both dogs and cats in group settings. Must be willing to learn and use positive training and handling methods.

Young at Heart is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.
Background checks and references are required for all final applicants.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $14.50 - $15.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Schedule:

• Holidays
• Weekends as needed

COVID-19 considerations:
In an effort to do our part in preventing the spread of Covid-19, all current CDC and local government recommend guidelines for Covid are followed.

Application Question(s):

• Besides your love of animals and need for a paycheck, why do you feel you are the best person for this job?

Experience:

• Professional Kennel, Shelter, or Doggy Daycare: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $15