Animal Care Shift Supervisor -Dog Boarding

Playful Pups Retreat; Elizabethtown (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 21,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

AFLAC insurance options

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee discounts

Bring your dog to work

Flexible scheduling

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Playful Pups Retreat in Elizabethtown, PA is seeking a dependable Shift Lead to shape a positive team culture and make a difference in dogs’ lives. You will lead a hands-on team, monitor playgroups, and ensure exceptional care while promoting growth into leadership roles.

This full-time role offers an active workday with early mornings and evenings, competitive starting pay, PTO, and room for career progression within a supportive, dog-focused environment.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Experienced handling dogs professionally.
• Comfortable with dogs of all sizes and temperaments.
• Reliable, punctual, and highly accountable.
• Strong communicator and positive team leader.

Responsibilities

• Lead the shift team and assign daily tasks.
• Coach employees and ensure quality dog care.
• Supervise playgroups and monitor dog behavior.
• Maintain safety, administer medications, and assist with feedings.
• Keep the facility clean and welcoming.

Skills

Leadership

Team coaching

Dog handling

Communication

Problem solving

Job description

ICHRA health reimbursement benefit

Do you love dogs and enjoy leading a team? Playful Pups Retreat is looking for a dependable Shift Lead who wants more than just a job. This is an opportunity to help shape a positive team culture, build leadership experience, and make a real difference in the lives of dogs and their families every day.

If you're a confident leader who enjoys staying active, coaching others, and working hands-on with dogs, we'd love to meet you. Every day brings new challenges, wagging tails, and opportunities to make an impact.

Why You'll Love Working at Playful Pups Retreat

• Leadership team that values, supports, and listens to employees
• Positive, respectful, and teamwork-focused workplace
• Opportunities to grow into Assistant Manager, General Manager, and other leadership roles
• Active workdays where no two days are exactly alike
• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of dogs and their families
• Bring your dog to work (when appropriate)
• Employee discounts
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• AFLAC insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• ICHRA health reimbursement benefit
• Flexible scheduling when possible

Pay & Benefits

Starting pay is $15.50–$16.50 per hour, based on experience, with opportunities for performance-based increases as you grow into the role.

We believe in recognizing dedication, rewarding strong performance, and investing in employees who want to build a career with us.

About Playful Pups Retreat

At Playful Pups Retreat, our mission is simple: provide the very best home away from home for every dog in our care.

We're a premier pet resort dedicated to creating a fun, structured, healthy, and nurturing environment where dogs can thrive while their families are away. Through purposeful enrichment, exercise, socialization, confidence building, and individualized care, we help every guest enjoy their stay while supporting their physical and emotional well-being.

Just as importantly, we believe our employees deserve the same level of care and respect that we give our dogs.

We work hard to create a supportive, drama-free environment built on trust, communication, accountability, and teamwork. We celebrate successes, help one another through challenges, and believe that leadership is about serving your team.

Whether your goal is to become an Assistant Manager, General Manager, or continue growing your leadership skills, we\'re committed to promoting from within whenever possible.

A Day in the Life of a Shift Lead

As a Shift Lead, you\'ll help keep every part of the day running smoothly.

You\'ll lead your team through daily responsibilities, assign tasks, answer questions, coach employees, and ensure every dog receives exceptional care. You\'ll supervise playgroups, monitor dog behavior, maintain safety standards, administer medications, assist with feedings, and help keep the facility clean and welcoming.

Some mornings begin by organizing your team\'s priorities. Later you may be supervising energetic playgroups, helping a nervous new dog feel comfortable, coaching a teammate through a situation, or celebrating a successful day with plenty of muddy paw prints and happy tail wags.

No two days are exactly alike-and that\'s one of the best parts of the job.

What Success Looks Like

You\'ll Thrive In This Role If You

• Lead with confidence, patience, and compassion.
• Stay calm during busy, fast-paced shifts.
• Hold yourself and your team accountable to high standards.
• Enjoy coaching others and helping them succeed.
• Communicate clearly and professionally.
• Take initiative and solve problems before they become bigger issues.
• Treat every dog as if they were your own.
• Take pride in creating a safe, clean, organized, and welcoming environment.

Qualifications

We\'re Looking For Someone Who Is

• At least 18 years old
• Experienced handling dogs professionally
• Comfortable working with dogs of all sizes and temperaments
• Reliable, punctual, and highly accountable
• A strong communicator and positive team leader
• Calm, confident, and compassionate under pressure
• Able to multitask and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications Include

• Previous experience in a dog daycare, boarding facility, veterinary clinic, grooming facility, shelter, or dog training environment
• Prior leadership or supervisory experience

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position.

Available Shifts Include

• 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Candidates must be available to work every other weekend and select major holidays.

Physical Requirements

This is an active, hands-on position.

Team Members Must Be Able To

• Stand and walk for extended periods
• Bend, twist, squat, and kneel frequently
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Safely handle dogs of all sizes, including dogs that may jump or pull on leash

Safety is our highest priority, and every employee is expected to consistently follow established handling and sanitation procedures.

Ready to Join Our Team?

If you\'re passionate about dogs, enjoy leading people, and want to be part of a workplace that truly values teamwork, kindness, and professional growth, we\'d love to meet you.

Apply today and help us continue providing the best home away from home for every dog who walks through our doors.

Playful Pups Retreat is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Location: Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Salary: $15.50 per hour

Job Posted by ApplicantPro