Chicagoland Dog Walker and Pet Sitter

greenPAWSchicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Supplemental Insurance and Retirement Savings

Workload Flexibility

Job summary

A pet care service in Chicago is seeking a dedicated Pet Care Specialist (Dog Walker) to provide pet care services. This full-time role offers a flexible schedule, primarily between 9am - 5pm, with opportunities for evening and weekend work. Candidates should possess pet handling skills, a strong sense of direction, and reliability, ensuring the safety and well-being of pets. Our specialists earn between $34,000 and $42,000 annually based on their availability and workload. Join us in making a difference in the lives of pets and their owners!

Qualifications

• Comfortable working with dogs of varying sizes and breeds.
• Able to work through all seasons and weather in Chicago.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Provide dog walking and pet care services for dogs, cats, and small animals.
• Visit clients’ homes and ensure the safety and well-being of pets.
• Engage with clients professionally to communicate pet status.

Skills

Pet handling skills

Customer service skills

Strong time management skills

Ability to navigate Chicago

Dependability

Job description

Overview

Green Paws Chicago is proud to have a team of dedicated Pet Care Specialists with a passion for animals that translates into better care. Our employees set the standard for customer service and pet advocacy, walking dogs, visiting cats/small animals, and servicing clients (the four-legged and two-legged ones!) with the love and care they deserve. We are committed to social responsibility, constantly exploring ways that we can improve our impact within the community. We are grateful for the camaraderie and resilience of the Green Paws Team as we have navigated the challenges of these past few years together, finding new and creative ways to engage the community of Chicago pet owners.

We are currently looking for a Pet Care Specialist (Dog Walker) to join our team of pet-loving individuals. This is an opportunity to thrive in an independent work environment, enjoy the fresh air, get exercise walking, and spend your time improving the lives of dogs and cats while earning a living.

This position is full-time, and to be able to maintain a flexible schedule, our newest Pet Care Specialist should have at least 6-8 hours of open availability between the hours of 9am - 5pm Monday through Friday. You should also be available on some evenings and weekends and ideally be open to overnight sittings. We look for a minimum of a one-year commitment. Pet care experience strongly preferred. Immediate opportunities across the Chicagoland area!

Responsibilities

• Provide dog walking and pet care services for dogs, cats, and small animals as appropriate.
• Visit clients’ homes, follow care instructions, and ensure the safety and well-being of pets and clients.
• Engage with clients professionally to communicate pet status and care updates.
• Adhere to routes, schedules, and company policies; maintain reliable attendance.

Qualifications

• Excellent pet handling skills and pet intuition. You must be comfortable working with dogs of varying sizes and breeds. Prior experience with dogs and/or cats is preferred, including your own pets, volunteering at shelters, pet sitting, grooming or training (veterinary techs, groomers, trainers)
• Dependability and trustworthiness, strong time management skills
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, able to remain professional and courteous with customers at all times
• Comfortable and adept at getting around the city safely
• Strong sense of direction and ability to navigate Chicago effectively
• Able to work through all seasons and weather that Chicago has to offer! This is a four season job and pets need to be taken care of in all types of weather
• Ability to pass a criminal background check

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Access to Supplemental Insurance and Retirement Savings
• Workload Flexibility, how much you earn is largely determined by you and the workload you take on (additional pay available for evening and weekend work)
• We only do private walks; i.e., visits with one family’s pet(s) at a time -- no pack walking
• Optimized geographic routes and schedules with regular clients and pets
• Office support to manage client relationships and marketing

Our Pet Care Specialists set their own schedules, largely determining their own income earning potential. For Pet Care Specialists employed by us the full 366-day period of January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 and who made themselves available to accept visit bookings full time, the annual gross earnings ranged from just under $34,000 to just over $42,000. Additionally, after 30 days of full-time employment, we offer optional participation in both the Illinois Secure Choice IRA retirement savings program and seven different forms of Aflac supplemental insurance.