Animal Care Associate

Maricopa County; United States; On-site; USD 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Exceptional work-life balance

Growth opportunities

Low-cost healthcare for you and depend

Job summary

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control seeks an Animal Care Associate to provide daily care for shelter dogs. You will work on campus, indoors and outdoors, and be customer-facing during all hours worked.

The role supports animal welfare, safety, and humane treatment, with opportunities for growth and development within the county. A mission-driven team environment awaits you.

Qualifications

• Six months of experience working with animals in a veterinary setting or shelter.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Ability to work varied shifts including early mornings to evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Care for shelter dogs and maintain kennels.
• Sanitize and clean facilities, feed and provide water to animals.
• Update animal records and assist with adoption activities.

Skills

Animal care experience

Customer service experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Posting Date 11/10/26 Application Deadline 11/13/26 Pay Range Anticipated Hiring Range: $19.00 - $25.75 hourly Full Pay Range: $19.00 - $32.50 hourly Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. The 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 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 to provide 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 work on campus, both indoors and outdoors, and be 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, 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 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 the 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 an 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1

Requirements

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

• 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 to 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.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, which includes but is not limited to heat and cold.
• We Also Value Six months of in-person customer service work experience Six months of kennel cleaning experience Hands-on experience working with canines of all sizes Experience working in high temperatures.

Job Contributions

Cleans indoor and outdoor dog kennels by picking up animal waste, scrubbing and sanitizing walls, floors, equipment, walkways, and work areas, and replacing soiled animal beds, while meeting established productivity and time expectations. Performs animal care support duties by maintaining clean, organized, and fully stocked shelter and kennel areas; ensures tools and equipment are in good working order and promptly reports damaged items. This includes cleaning and sanitizing dishes and laundry. Clean and maintain common spaces in the shelter. Conducts daily shelter welfare rounds, ensuring medical and behavior concerns are documented and addressed within the set time, and records and addresses concerns following standard protocols. Updates animal records and performs data entry at the shelter, ensuring all animal information is accurate, kennel cards, and medical and behavior information. Ensure animal records are updated throughout the shelter stay process. Assist with movement of animals within the shelter. Responsible for general animal care, including providing appropriate food and water. Follow all feeding, handling, and care policies and expectations within the guidelines of the five domains of animal welfare and ensure that positive reinforcement and fear-free methods are utilized. Provides quality customer service and cultivates positive relations with clients, volunteers, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs, and events. Other job duties as assigned, including but not limited to assisting with in-shelter adoption meet-and-greet, animal enrichment, and animal intake as needed.

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 that are sometimes slippery, uneven, and rough. Employees are required to adapt quickly to shifting priorities. Stand, walk, bend, and stoop for up to 10 hours per shift. Reach, push, and pull objects using hands and arms. Maintain steady stamina during fast-paced shifts. 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.

Equal Opportunity

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.