Daycare Associate

Petcompanionsinc; Reading, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Pet Companions Bed & Biscuit in Reading, MA is seeking a Daycare Associate to help keep dogs safe, engaged, and cared for from arrival to departure. You will follow a structured daily plan, communicate with the team via Slack and Notion, and contribute to a high-standard, enrichment-based daycare environment.

The role emphasizes reliability, willingness to learn dog behavior and handling techniques, and collaboration to uphold the company’s strong standards.

Qualifications

• Genuinely love dogs and understand safety first.
• Punctual and ready to work as scheduled.
• Able to follow directions and ask thoughtful questions.
• Proactive and able to identify what needs doing without being told.
• Interested in learning dog behavior, enrichment, handling, and safety protocols.
• Willing to work toward certifications with wage increases.
• Commitment to doing things the right way and supporting the team.
• Thrive in a team environment with accountability.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and engage with dog play groups, reading behavior and keeping energy safe.
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, organized facility throughout your shift.
• Follow dog handling procedures: leashes, collars, crates, transitions.
• Assist with feedings and medication administration per dog profiles.
• Document observations, incidents, and behavioral notes in Notion.
• Communicate through Slack before, during, and after your shift.
• Participate in daily team huddles and follow the shift Game Plan.
• Suggest improvements and help implement them.

Job description

Daycare Associate Job Description at Pet Companions

Now Hiring · Reading, MA · Full-Time · Hourly

Daycare Associate

Open Position

Not your average dog daycare.
Not even close.

Pet Companions Bed & Biscuit is a premium, cage‑free daycare, boarding, and enrichment facility in Reading, MA where the standard is high, the team is tight, and the dogs — and the people who love them — feel it every single day.

We don't run a loose, let-the-dogs-figure-it-out operation. We run an intentional one — structured, enrichment‑based, and built around genuinely knowing every dog in our care. The people who thrive here are curious, accountable, and proud of the work they do. We're looking for someone ready to be part of that.

"Leaving should never feel like leaving behind."

Every family we serve is trusting us with something they love. The Daycare Associate is the person on the floor making that trust real — keeping dogs safe, engaged, and genuinely cared for from the moment they walk in until the moment they go home.

That's not a small thing. It's the whole thing.

On your feet, in the action, making it matter.

You’ll be on your feet for most of your shift, moving between yards, monitoring play groups, cleaning, feeding, and making sure every dog in our care feels safe and engaged. You’ll follow a structured daily Game Plan, communicate with your team through Slack and Notion, and take initiative when you see something that needs doing — without waiting to be asked.

On a good day, you’ll leave knowing you made a real difference for 20, 30, or 40 dogs and the families who love them. On a hard day, you’ll lean on your team and figure it out together. Both kinds of days happen. The right person shows up the same way for both.

That’s the standard. That’s the job.

We’d rather be direct upfront.

• Genuinely love dogs — and understand that loving dogs means keeping them safe, not just having fun with them
• Take punctuality seriously — your team depends on you being there, on time, ready to go
• Take direction well and ask great questions
• See what needs doing and do it — without being told twice
• Want to learn: dog behavior, enrichment, handling techniques, safety protocols
• Want to level up — PCBB offers a clear path with wage increases tied to certifications and performance
• Care about doing things the right way, not just getting through the shift
• Thrive in a team environment — we win together and hold each other accountable

Probably not the right fit if you

• Want a laid‑back job where you play with dogs and scroll your phone
• Struggle with structure, protocols, or being held to a high standard
• Prefer to work alone rather than as part of a close‑knit team
• See feedback as criticism rather than investment

We mean this kindly. This role has real expectations and a team counting on you. We'd rather be honest upfront than waste your time or ours.

Every shift, every dog, every time.

• Monitor and engage with dog play groups — reading behavior, preventing issues, keeping energy safe and positive
• Maintain a clean, sanitary, organized facility throughout your shift
• Follow individual dog handling procedures: leashes, collars, crates, transitions
• Complete feedings and assist with medication administration per dog profiles
• Document observations, incidents, and behavioral notes in Notion
• Communicate through Slack before, during, and after your shift
• Participate in daily team huddles and follow the shift Game Plan
• Recommend improvements — and help make them happen

A clear path forward — not just a job.

PCBB offers a real career ladder with wage increases tied to certifications and performance. Here's what the path looks like.

Associate-in-Training

Structured onboarding. You won't be thrown to the dogs — or the wolves.

Associate

Certified, confident, and running full shifts independently.

Shift Lead

Leading the team and owning the Game Plan on your shift.

Supervisor

Operational ownership, team development, and performance metrics.

A role worth showing up for.

CompensationFull-time hourly position with consistent scheduling and wage increases tied to certifications and performance.

OnboardingA structured onboarding process — you won't be thrown in without support. We set you up to succeed from day one.

Career PathAIT → Associate → Shift Lead → Supervisor. A real ladder, not just a title change.

CertificationsEnrich U, CPR/First Aid for Pets, PACCC — we invest in your development. Wage increases follow.

CultureA team that holds a high standard and supports each other in meeting it. Your initiative is noticed and rewarded.

ImpactThe opportunity to be part of something that actually matters to the families and dogs we serve every day.

What we're looking for.

• Reliable transportation to our Reading, MA location
• Ability to work a full-time schedule including some weekends and holidays
• Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, and lift throughout a full shift in all weather conditions
• Strong communication skills — written and verbal
• Comfort handling dogs of all sizes, breeds, and energy levels (experience preferred; genuine willingness to learn required)
• No dog handling certification required — we train you the PCBB way