Animal Evaluation and Welfare Specialist

Posting Date

02 / 21 / 25

Application Deadline

02 / 26 / 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

The Animal Evaluation and Well-being Specialist is responsible for the behavioral evaluations, daily enrichment, and monitoring of the animals in our care. The Animal Evaluation and Well-being Specialist will lead behavior evaluations, monitor animal behavior in the shelter, and oversee playgroups, enrichment preparation, and activities to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in animals under care. 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 experience in an animal shelter, animal rescue, or similar facility directly handling dogs of a variety of sizes, temperaments, and dispositions

High school Diploma or higher

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

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

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

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

Must complete animal handling training within 3 months of hire

We Also Value

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

Experience performing dog-to-dog introductions or playgroups in a shelter-like environment

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

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

Job Contributions

Ensure timely completion of behavior evaluations for animals ending their hold period, assigning handling levels, requirements, and recommendations, or submitting for review of alternate pathways to reduce length of stay

Assist with handling for out-of-kennel enrichment activities such as Playgroups, dog-to-dog introductions, and Runbuddy by overseeing dog selection, staff / volunteer handling and assignments, overall monitoring, and intervening and assisting with emergent situations

Review and complete all requested follow-up behavior evaluations on animals to make sure their assigned handling level is still accurate and still meets adoption criteria

Oversee and complete daily monitoring of in-kennel stress for animals, reviewing animals' previous observations and adding indicated animals to daily behavior monitoring while submitting animals for higher-level review when necessary

A ct as lead for directing, guiding, and coaching 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 new staff and volunteers on playgroup and enrichment processes and procedures

Perform click for quiet routine daily with animals in their kennels to improve in-kennel behavior

Assist other divisions as needed as a skilled or secondary handler

A ssist other divisions as needed to complete necessary daily shelter operations not limited to cleaning kennels, adoption meet and greets, releasing dogs, etc., and other duties as assigned

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

Required to handle animals

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