What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Enrichment Specialist position at Maricopa County?

Posting Date

03 / 07 / 25

Application Deadline

03 / 14 / 25

Pay Range

21.00 - $30.00 Hourly

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. This position is eligible for overtime compensation for all hours worked over 40 in the designated workweek.

Job Type

Unclassified

Department

Animal Care and Control

About the Position

Are you an innovative and versatile person who is ready to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while serving the community and making a significant impact on animal welfare?

As the Animal Enrichment Specialist, you will be responsible for the daily implementation of a variety of enrichment opportunities for the animals under the care of Maricopa County Animal Care and Control (MCACC) including but not limited to playgroups, playpairs, in-kennel and environmental enrichment, as well other activities. You will assist with other behavior processes, such as behavior evaluations, and assist other divisions as a skilled handler. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with staff and volunteers to implement a comprehensive enrichment program using fear-free, positive reinforcement methods to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in shelter animals, improving kennel behavior and reducing length of stay.

This position requires the employee in office and / or customer facing for all hours worked.

About Us

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control employees are committed to animal welfare and strengthening the human-animal bond in our community, and we are always looking to add talented individuals to our team, either at our West or East Valley Animal Care Centers. As one of the nation’s largest open-admission shelters, we work with our community to serve the animals and people of Maricopa County. Our adoptions, shelter, clinic, and animal services officer teams learn firsthand about proper care of homeless and stray animals and work hard to help find them new homes.

Proud to Offer

Work with a greater purpose
Tuition reimbursement
Exceptional work-life balance
Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
Paid vacation, sick time, and (birth / adoption) parental leave
Extensive wellness program, including healthcare premium discounts
Employee discounts for goods and services
Maricopa County participates in the Arizona State Retirement System. This defined retirement benefit requires a 12.27% monthly contribution rate and includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
Learn more at Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ

We Require

Two years of working or volunteer experience in an animal shelter, animal rescue, or similar facility directly handling dogs of a variety of sizes, temperaments, and dispositions

6 months or more performing dog-to-dog introductions or playgroups, preferably in a shelter or rescue environment

High school Diploma or higher

Must be flexible and able to work all shifts, which include starting as early as 5 am and finishing as late as 7 pm, working weekends and holidays, determined by the needs of the Department

Flexibility to work at either our West and East shelter locations as needed

A commitment to the use of positive reinforcement and fear-free training methods when engaging with dogs in our care

We Also Value

Animal behavior certifications such as CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP, CTC or equivalent

Experience leading or working directly with volunteers in an animal welfare setting

Job Contributions

Oversee and act as the lead handler during shelter playgroups and other out-of-kennel enrichment opportunities by overseeing dog selection, staff / volunteer handling and assignments, overall monitoring, and intervening and assisting with emergent situations

Administer supervision, direction, guidance, and coaching for staff and volunteers in the performance and completion of daily shelter enrichment activities, including playgroups, out-of-kennel enrichment, and in-kennel enrichment. Train and mentor staff and volunteers on playgroup and enrichment processes and procedures

Lead assigned staff and volunteers to ensure a variety and all scheduled daily in-kennel enrichment activities are completed

Track supplies and prepare daily enrichment for the following week, adjust the enrichment calendar as needed, and ensure large-scale enrichment preparation by volunteer groups is completed successfully and effectively

Perform click for quiet routine daily with animals in their kennels to improve kennel behavior and properly document any animals showing declining behavior

Assist with behavior evaluations and other behavior processes as needed

Create daily lists of dogs who meet the criteria and should participate in enrichment activities, tracking their progress and behavior

Keep all enrichment areas and prep areas clean and organized

Working Conditions

Fast-paced animal shelter environment with exposure to extreme and varying temperatures, dogs and cats with unknown temperaments and behaviors, excessive noise, animal waste and fluids, deceased animals, cleaning chemicals, and zoonotic diseases

May be required to operate a vehicle when traveling between East and West shelters

Must possess, or have the ability to obtain by time of hire, a valid Arizona driver’s license

Fear Free Shelters certification or must be obtained within the first month of employment

Must complete animal handling training within 3 months of hire

Must be able to lift up to 20-25 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10 lbs. constantly

Selection Procedure

Only the most qualified candidates will be considered

Consideration will only be given to candidates who submit online applications

Candidates will be contacted primarily through email and their Workday online application profile

Must pass a pre-employment background and / or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive

Maricopa County is an equal opportunity employer.

Apply Now!

Salary : $21 - $30

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