Animal Caretaker

The Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire is looking for its first Animal Caretaker! Are you passionate about servingthe community and supporting a team that is committed to making a positive impact? The Animal Resource Center of theInland Empire is seeking a skilled, compassionate, and experienced individual to join the organization to be a part of acollaborative environment where your skills can make a difference. The Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empirewillbegin providing animal services July 1, 2025, which include animal control and sheltering services. The Animal Caretakerwill perform a range of routine animal services duties, including impounding animals, providing customer service to patrons,keeping shelter and kennel areas clean, providing enrichment for shelter animals as well as observing and reporting animalissues. Incumbents may also restrain animals for veterinary examinations or simple medical procedures.

 

Under the general supervision, the Animal Caretaker performs a variety of duties involving the feeding, care, and treatmentof all animals at the Agency's animal shelter. Incumbents in this class will receive, process, and care for impounded animals, maintain facilities at the animal shelter, answer questions from the public about the animal care program, and perform otherrelated duties as assigned.

The ARCIE Executive Director of Animal Services will serve as the ultimate hiring authority.

The ARCIE is not employed by the City of Ontario nor City of Chino.  The successful candidate will be an at-will employee of the Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire and ultimately they will be appointed by and serve under the ARCIE Executive Director of Animal Services . 

 Completed applications will be reviewed and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of the Agency, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. All applicants must provide an attached Resume and Cover Letter. Those candidates whom fail to attach these items will not move forward in the selection process.

1. Respond to public inquiries regarding the disposition of animals, animal shelter procedures, lost and found animals, and adoption procedures.
2. Cleans and maintains assigned areas in a neat and organized manner by disinfecting kennels, cages, shelter grounds, and equipment.
3. Observe sick, quarantined, and potentially injured animals, and report problems.
4. Bathes, grooms, and prepares animals available for placement.
5. Maintains animal inventory records and records of controlled substances by utilizing database software.
6. Provide and replenish food and water for domestic, exotic, and wild animals.
7. Serve as cashier, which includes handling customer transactions (including redemptions and sales of licenses), and the release and adoption of animals.
8. Transport animals to and from veterinary offices and other medical facilities.
9. Complete ongoing and preventive maintenance of shelter facilities and equipment.
10. Order and pick up supplies needed at the shelter.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of: 

• State and local laws, ordinances, regulations associated with animal care and control.
• Customer service objectives and strategies.
• Modern office practices and procedures including filing, recordkeeping, and operating standard office equipment.
• Animal control equipment and materials and voice communication devices.
  
  

Ability to:  

• Empathize with customers and volunteers.
• Follow oral and written directions quickly and accurately.
• Communicate effectively with individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds, and function calmly in situations that require a high degree of sensitivity, tact and diplomacy.
• Assess the customer's immediate needs and ensure customer's receipt of prompt, efficient and responsive services through personal service or making appropriate referral.
• Read, understand, and interpret ordinances, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Exercise tact and good judgment.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with the public and other governmental agencies
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Collecting, compiling, and analyzing information and data.
• Compose correspondence and reports independently or from brief instructions: maintaining records and databases.
• Deal with frequent interruptions and perform multiple tasks.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the agency and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. A typical combination includes:

Education

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience 
One (1) year of customer service experience.

Licenses
Individuals must be physically capable of operating a motor vehicle safely and possess a valid Class C California Driver’s License OR be able to demonstrate the ability to travel on scheduled or unscheduled visits to various locations which may or may not be reachable by public transportation.   This requirement applies at time of appointment and throughout employment in this classification.

Desirable

Six (6) months of recent experience working with domestic animals in a veterinary hospital, clinical setting, or animal services facility.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• This position requires the ability to work in an environment with moderate to loud noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, as well as outside variable weather conditions and exposure to potentially infectious diseases, blood/bodily fluids, offensive odors and hazardous physical substances with continuous upward and downward flexion of the neck. 
• Frequently sitting, repetitive use of hands to manipulate, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls.
• Occasional walking, standing, bending and twisting of neck, bending and twisting of waist, squatting, simple grasping, reaching above and below shoulder level, and lifting and carrying of files weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Some exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, confining workspace, and chemicals. 
• Ability to travel to different sites and locations; ability to attend evening and weekend meetings.

Salary : $44,000 - $59,000