Animal Care Attendant

Rancho Coastal Humane Society; Encinitas (CA); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 2,755,000; Part time

Job summary

Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas is seeking dedicated Animal Care Attendants to care for animals, maintain clean spaces, feed, enrich, and assist with adoptions. This hands-on, part-time role requires reliability and a strong team mindset.

The position involves humane handling practices, interaction with the public, and collaboration with multiple shelter teams to ensure animal welfare and a positive visitor experience.

Qualifications

• Experience in animal care, shelter, kennel, veterinary, rescue or similar is a plus.
• Reliable, good judgment, strong work ethic and genuine commitment to animal welfare.
• Comfortable working with the public and learning the organization.
• Flexible part-time role with weekend availability.

Responsibilities

• Clean and sanitize kennels, animal enclosures, crates and care areas.
• Feed animals and provide daily care, enrichment and exercise.
• Assist with adoption counseling, meet-and-greets and guiding adopters to the right animal.
• Welcome and assist visitors, adopters and volunteers, answering questions and giving directions.
• Complete required animal-care and adoption documentation accurately.
• Work collaboratively with Animal Care, Adoptions, Behavior and Medical teams.

Skills

Reliability

Good judgment

Attention to detail

Team mindset

Commitment to animal welfare

Customer service experience

Job description

Animal Care Attendants are at the heart of the daily care and well-being of animals at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. This is a hands-on, physically active role that includes animal care and handling, cleaning and sanitation, feeding, enrichment, adoption support, and helping members of the public navigate their experience at the shelter.This is rewarding work, but it’s also hard work. A significant part of every shift is maintaining clean, safe and comfortable spaces for our animals. We’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about animal welfare and brings reliability, good judgment, attention to detail and a strong team mindset.Clean and sanitize kennels, animal enclosures, crates and animal-care areas according to shelter protocolsFeed animals and provide daily care, enrichment and exerciseSafely handle, move and restrain animals using humane handling practicesObserve animals for changes in health, behavior or well-being and communicate concerns promptlyAssist with adoption counseling, meet-and-greets and helping potential adopters find the right animal once trainedWelcome and assist visitors, adopters and volunteers, including answering questions, providing directions and escorting visitors throughout the shelterLearn Rancho Coastal programs, services and shelter operations well enough to help connect visitors with the right person or resourceComplete required animal-care and adoption documentation accuratelyCommunicate consistently with supervisors and coworkers, including through radio communicationAssist with shared responsibilities including the pet kitchen, laundry, crates, trash/recycling, donations and general shelter upkeepWork collaboratively with Animal Care, Adoptions, Behavior, Medical and other Rancho Coastal teamsPrevious animal care, shelter, kennel, veterinary, rescue or similar experience is a plus, but we’re also interested in people who bring reliability, good judgment, a strong work ethic and a genuine commitment to animal welfare. Animal handling and/or customer service experience is preferred but not required.You should be comfortable working with the public, learning the organization, juggling priorities and working independently once trained.Physical RequirementsThis is an active, physically demanding shelter role. Team members must be able to:• Safely handle, move or assist with animals weighing 100+ pounds, with team assistance when appropriate• Lift and carry supplies, including food bags and other items weighing 50+ pounds• Push or pull carts and equipment weighing up to 100+ pounds• Spend extended periods standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching and moving throughout the shelter• Work indoors and outdoors with exposure to heat, sun, varying weather conditions, animals, animal waste, noise and cleaning chemicalsScheduleThis is a part-time position averaging approximately 28 hours per week across 3–4 shifts. Availability for at least one weekend day is required, with Friday through Monday among our busiest days. Because animal care continues every day of the year, team members share holiday coverage; part-time employees are expected to work approximately two holidays per year.