Animal Care Specialist (Temporary)

Wallis-Annenberg-Pet-Space; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Wallis Annenberg PetSpace in Playa Vista seeks an Animal Care Specialist to provide high-quality care for animals, maintain clean care areas, feed animals, and offer enrichment. The role includes counseling the public when appropriate and supporting volunteers and staff.

The position requires at least 1 year in a fast-paced setting with strong animal handling and customer service abilities, reflecting the mission-driven culture of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year in a fast-paced, team-oriented setting.
• Experience in animal welfare setting preferred.
• Strong animal handling and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Clean and maintain all animal care areas.
• Feed all animals their designated diets.
• Provide enrichment and exercise for animals.

Skills

Excellent animal handling skills

Excellent customer service skills

Disease knowledge and treatment basics

Critical observation skills

Basic computer skills (MS Office)

Written and oral communication

Calm under pressure

Professionalism and teamwork

Respect for all individuals and pets

Commitment to PetSpace mission

Job description

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, located in Playa Vista, is a unique community space featuring pet adoptions, a humane education program, and a leadership institute for animal science and welfare advancement. Annenberg PetSpace focuses on the mutually beneficial and dynamic bond between people and their pets, as well as the origins and community impact of that relationship

JOB SUMMARY:

The Animal Care Specialist is responsible for providing high-quality care to the animals within PetSpace, ensuring proper cleaning protocols for all animal care areas, and following proper training and enrichment protocols. This role also provides counseling and education for the general public when appropriate.

Must be 18 years or older to be employed with Wallis Annenberg PetSpace.

ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTIONS:

• Clean and maintain all animal care areas, providing proper animal husbandry while following approved procedures and using appropriate products
• Feed all animals their required diet and in the appropriate rations
• Provide enrichment to animals to include utilizing exercise areas/walks, activities and human companionship
• Complete daily health and behavior observations of all animals
• Participate in behavior shaping/training of animals to enhance their adoptability
• Assist with morning, mid-day and evening duties as appropriate
• Assist with grooming & bathing of animals as needed
• Ensure all dishes, laundry, and animal carriers are sanitized daily
• Restock and perform inventory of animal care areas
• Update and maintain the adoption software with adoption content (e.g. animal photos, descriptions)
• Train volunteers on the proper techniques for successful animal care
• Assist as a volunteer liaison, providing support and supervision when needed
• Coordinate with staff and volunteers to ensure best animal handling practices
• Ensure all operational procedures are followed
• Communicate in an effective and professional manner with public and Wallis Annenberg PetSpace staff members
• Represent Wallis Annenberg PetSpace in a professional and courteous manner at all times
• Participate in public education programming (i.e. pop up presentations, behind the scenes clinic tours, etc.)
• Assist with the training of team members, including but not limited to new Animal Care staff
• Coordinate with staff and volunteers to ensure best adoption practices
• Support and assist potential adopters in selecting appropriate animals given their requirements
• Counsel adopters with a barrier-free, supportive approach
• Work with the training team to communicate behavior treatment to staff and the public
• Assist with adoption meet and greets and out process adoptions

Requirements

Experience:

• Minimum of 1 year working in a fast-paced, team-oriented setting
• Experience in animal welfare setting preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent animal handling skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Basic knowledge and ability to understand aspects of disease and the causes and treatment of animal-related problems
• Critical evaluation and observation skills
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office and selected software/databases
• Effective written and oral communication skills with ability to compose routine correspondence
• Possess the ability to work efficiently and calmly under challenging conditions
• Possess poise, professionalism, diplomacy, teamwork and the ability to interact with people from all walks of life
• An individual who can contribute to the culture of respect for all individuals and animals
• Commitment to, and passion for, the mission of Wallis Annenberg PetSpace

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear, stoop, bend, squat, kneel, grasp grip, put fingers together firmly and reach above and below shoulder level and lift, push or pull 80 pounds for situations of restraining or moving animals and lifting food and animal care supplies, repetitively use hands to operate computers; flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist. May be required to clean and care for animals. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK CONDITIONS:

Standard office environment with exposure to environmental conditions that include working near and caring for animals.

About us

Wallis Annenberg Legacy Foundation, PetSpace, is a company that respects the uniqueness of each employee and offers everyone the means to find their place and thrive. We promote initiatives aimed at supporting professional equality for everyone. We strive to go above and beyond purely symbolic measures by building a culture focused on meaningful strategies aimed at creating an inclusive workforce.

accommodation contact

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail].