Animal Care Associate

Maricopa County; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 26,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Exceptional work-life balance

Growth opportunities

Low-cost healthcare

Child care benefits (Kids Club)

Paid vacation, sick time, and parental

Retirement match

Job summary

Maricopa County is seeking an Animal Care Associate to care for shelter dogs and support a clean, safe kennel environment. You will advocate for animal welfare and the community, working in a high-volume, open-admission shelter with daily tasks and customer interaction.

Applicants must have six months of animal-care experience and a high school diploma or GED; shifts include mornings through evenings and weekends. Training is provided; bilingual skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience working with animals in a veterinary hospital, humane society, or other animal facility.
• Bilingual Spanish and English-speaking skills are valued.
• Fear Free Certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform animal care and related duties such as feeding, cleaning, exercising, and monitoring the health of animals in our care.
• Provide daily care of animals, including feeding, water, kennels cleaning, and shelter housekeeping.
• Maintain shelter welfare and use positive reinforcement and Fear Free methods in daily routines.
• Update animal records and document identification, bios, medical and behavioral information.
• Assist with in-shelter adoption meet-and-greet and customer service.

Skills

Animal care

Customer service

Bilingual Spanish and English

Fear Free Certification

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Posting Date

10/06/26

Application Deadline

10/11/26

Pay Range

Anticipated Hiring Range: $19.00 - $25.75 hourly Full Pay Range: $19.00 - $32.50 hourly

Job Type

Unclassified

Department

Animal Care & Control

About the Position

Are you a passionate animal advocate who is motivated to care for animals by providing a clean and caring kennel environment for the dogs in our care?

As one of the largest animal shelters in the Nation, we need your support to make a difference! We want you to be our next diligent Animal Care Associate, providing daily care and support for our shelter dogs. You'll be an advocate for the dogs and promote 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.

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 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 the 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 centerMaricopa 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 11.98% per paycheck 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

• Six months of experience working with animals in a veterinary hospital, humane society, or other animal facility
• High school diploma or GED

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. Weekends and holidays are required. Animal Care Associates are assigned on any shift, with any combination of days off, determined by the needs of the Department. May be assigned to work at other shelter locations based on operational needs
• Must complete department-required animal handling training within 30 days of hire

We Also Value

• Six months of in-person customer service work experience
• Bilingual Spanish and English-speaking skills
• Fear Free Certification

Job Contributions

• Perform animal care and related duties such as feeding, cleaning, exercising, and monitoring the behavior and health of animals in our care
• Responsible for the daily care of animals, including providing appropriate food and water, cleaning animal kennels, and performing general housekeeping of the shelter
• 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
• Follow all feeding, handling, and care policies and expectations within the guidelines of the Five Domains of Animal Welfare, and ensure low-stress handling and Fear Free methods are utilized
• Conduct daily shelter welfare rounds, assist with the movement of animals, and record and address concerns following standard protocols
• Ensure shelter areas, such as yards and meet-and-greet rooms, are maintained throughout the day. Keeps supply areas stocked and clean and ensures tools and equipment are kept in good working order. Report broken items in a timely manner
• Update animal records and perform data entry at the shelter, including animal identification information, photographs, kennel cards, animal bios, and medical and behavioral information. Ensure animal records are updated throughout the shelter stay process
• Assist with in-shelter animal adoption meet-and-greet by interacting with customers in person and providing exceptional customer service
• Assist with in-shelter animal enrichment in accordance with the daily enrichment schedules

Working Conditions

• Work is 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 all types of surfaces, some of which are slippery, uneven, and rough
• Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly

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 [e-mail] to initiate the interactive process.