Animal Care Lead

maricopa; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 29,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Exceptional work-life balance

Growth opportunities

Low-cost healthcare

Job summary

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control is seeking an Animal Care Lead to provide daily care and leadership for shelter animals. You will guide a team of Animal Care Associates, advocate for animal welfare, and promote health and safety for people and animals in Maricopa County.

The role requires on-site presence, flexible shifts, and experience in animal welfare alongside customer service experience. Opportunities for growth and a strong benefits package are offered.

Qualifications

• Two years of working or volunteer experience with domestic animals.
• One year of in-person customer service work experience.
• High school diploma or GED; additional education/substitutions may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, direct, and coach Animal Care Associates to ensure tasks are completed accurately.
• Train staff on standards, procedures, and safety practices with a focus on welfare.
• Assist with movement of animals and stress-reduction through low-stress handling.
• Maintain animal records, perform data entry, and address concerns per protocol.
• Provide daily care such as feeding, cleaning, exercise, and health monitoring.
• Promote welfare guidelines and Fear Free methods while serving clients and volunteers.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Animal handling

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Posting Date

09/21/26

Application Deadline

09/26/26

Pay Range

Anticipated Hiring Range: $21.00 - $27.00 hourly

Full Pay Range: $21.00 - $33.00 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 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 Animal Care Lead to provide daily care and support for our shelter animals. You will provide leadership and guidance to our team of Animal Care 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!

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 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

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 on any shift, with any combination of days off, determined by the needs of the Department.
• Must be willing and able to participate on the euthanasia team as needed

We Also Value

• One year of in‑person customer service work experience
• Experience with humane euthanasia and or Humane Euthanasia Certification
• Experience working in an animal shelter
• Experience within a leadership role
• Canine handling experience with all types of breeds and behaviors
• Bilingual skills in English/Spanish

Job Contributions

• Oversees, direction, guidance, and coaching for Animal Care Associates in the performance of their duties and ensures daily tasks are completed efficiently and accurately
• Trains and mentors staff on Department standards, procedures, and safety practices. Makes recommendations to ensure an efficient training experience, along with developmental needs for staff
• Assists with the movement of animals and participates in stress and disease reduction efforts through purposeful and compassionate low-stress handling and placement of animals
• Conducts daily shelter welfare rounds, creates and maintains necessary animal records, performs data entry, and records and addresses 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
• Provides quality customer service and cultivates 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 nee