Shelter Associate Lead

Posting Date

04/07/26

Application Deadline

04/11/26

Pay Range

Anticipated Hiring Range: $21.00 - $26.00 hourly

Full Pay Range: $21.00 - $31.00 hourly

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is eligible for overtime compensation for all hours worked over 40 in the designated workweek.

Job Type

Unclassified

Department

Animal Care and Control

About The Position

Are you a passionate animal advocate with a desire to nurture and improve the lives of homeless animals? As one of the largest animal shelters in the nation, we need your support to make a difference!

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control is seeking a motivated and diligent Senior Shelter Associate to provide daily care and support for our shelter animals. You will provide leadership and guidance to our team of Shelter Associates while advocating for the animals in our care and promoting the health, safety, and welfare of the people and animals of Maricopa County. This position requires the employee to be in the office and or customer-facing for all hours worked.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to support our shelter and your community! Apply today!

About Us

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control employees are committed to animal welfare and strengthening the human-animal bond in our community, and we are always looking to add talented individuals to our team, either at our West or East Valley Animal Care Centers. As one of the nation’s largest open-admission shelters, we work with our community to serve the animals and people of Maricopa County. Our adoptions, shelter, clinic, and animal services officer teams learn first-hand about proper care of homeless and stray animals and work hard to help find them new homes.

Proud to Offer

• Work with a greater purpose
• Tuition reimbursement
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
• Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
• Child care benefits, including access to our on-site center, Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
• Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
• Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
• Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring a 12% monthly contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
• Want to learn more about the County’s Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more! Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ
  
  

We Require

• Two years of working or volunteer experience with domestic animals in an animal welfare organization, veterinary facility, humane society, or similar animal care facility
• One year of in-person customer service work experience
• High school diploma or GED
• A combination of post-secondary education and/or job-related experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications on a year-for-year basis
  
  

Other Requirements

• Candidates must be flexible and able to work all shifts, including starting as early as 6 am and finishing as late as 7 pm, working weekends and holidays. Shelter Associates are assigned to any shift, with any combination of days off, as determined by the Department's needs.
• Must be willing and able to participate on the euthanasia team as required
  
  

We Also Value

• Experience with humane euthanasia and/or Humane Euthanasia Certification
• Experience working in an animal shelter
• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish
  
  

Job Contributions

• Oversee, direct, and provide guidance and coaching for Shelter Associates in the performance of their duties, and ensure daily tasks are completed efficiently and accurately
• Train and mentor staff on Department standards, procedures, and safety practices. Make recommendations to ensure an efficient training experience and address staff developmental needs
• Assist with the movement of animals and participate in stress and disease reduction efforts through purposeful and compassionate low-stress handling and placement of animals
• Conduct daily shelter welfare rounds, create and maintain necessary animal records, perform data entry, and record and address concerns following standard protocols
• Perform animal care and related duties such as feeding, cleaning, exercising, and monitoring the behavior and health of animals in our care
• Ensure all shelter animals are properly housed and cared for within the guidelines of the Five Domains of Animal Welfare, and that positive reinforcement training and Fear Free methods are utilized
• Provide quality customer service and cultivate positive relations with clients, volunteers, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs, and events
• Assist with in-shelter adoption meet and greets and animal enrichment as needed
• Involved in and may perform humane euthanasia of animals when required, in accordance with departmental policies, procedures, and established protocols
  
  

Working Conditions

• Work is predominantly performed in an animal shelter with exposure to extreme and varying temperatures, excessive noise, dogs and cats with unknown temperaments or behaviors, animal waste and fluids, deceased animals, cleaning chemicals, and zoonotic diseases
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk on various surfaces that are sometimes slippery, uneven, or rough
• Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly
• Work involves regular participation in animal care and control activities, including the humane euthanasia of animals, handling injured, ill, or aggressive animals, interacting with members of the public, and performing time-sensitive duties under varying stressful and high-pressure conditions
  
  

Selection Procedure

• Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications
• Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile
• Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive
  
  

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact MHRFeedback@maricopa.gov to initiate the interactive process.

Apply Now!