Animal Care Technician I - Foster Counselor

Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) is looking to add a part-time Foster Counselor to our Traditional Foster Team. In this role you will work directly with Pima County residents to place dogs and cats into the right foster home. This is an important role to make sure shelter pets get a much-deserved break and for fosters to provide detailed notes on how the animal has done in their care.

Hiring pay: $18.79 per hour. This position will work a minimum of three (3) days a week including one (1) weekend day. Schedules include non-traditional work hours including mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provides humane care and safe handling for a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, and small pets, while monitoring behavior and health.
• Works outdoors in all weather conditions and safely handles live animals, including those that may be injured, frightened, or offensive, using appropriate techniques to minimize risks to self and others.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service to the public and volunteers by answering questions, addressing concerns, and guiding decisions regarding intakes, outcomes, redemptions, and animal care in adherence to PACC policies.
• Handles animals for behavioral assessments and playgroups, identifying placement or behavior concerns, and participates in decisions regarding outcomes, including euthanasia.
• Accurately organizes and documents information on animal behavior, history, medical records, and outcomes, utilizing shelter software and other systems for recordkeeping, communication, and scheduling.
• Administers vaccinations and medications under veterinary guidance, assesses animals for signs of illness or injury, and documents and communicates health concerns.
• Facilitates adoption and foster processes by assisting with enrichment, behavioral evaluations, animal meet and greets, matchmaking, and note reviews.
• Supports intake and admissions by providing correct intake pathways, checking animals for health concerns, identifying ages/breeds, and finding kennel placements.
• Maintains a clean and sanitary facility, including kennels, workspaces, public lobbies, and treatment spaces.
• Frequently lifts and carries heavy objects, bends, stoops, reaches, and performs other physical tasks as required.
• Safeguards and accounts for scheduled drugs and funds received for PACC services.
• Operates County-owned vehicles to transport animals and supplies.

Requirements

• High school diploma or General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate. (Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Minimum one (1) year experience working in customer service.
• Minimum one (1) year experience working in an animal shelter or other relevant animal care setting.
• Experience working or volunteering with dogs and/or cats.

Benefits

• Within nine months of appointment, employees must receive the full series of pre-exposure rabies immunizations. Recommended boosters are required for the duration of employment, unless medically excused or physiologically unable to develop immunity.

Schedule

This position will work a minimum of three (3) days a week including one (1) weekend day. Schedules include non-traditional work hours including mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Pay

$18.79 per hour.

Additional Information

• Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or appointment.
• The County requires pre-employment background checks, including verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.
• This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen, as well as proof of immunization(s) or immunization(s) and/or a TB screening.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

• Physical and sensory abilities include: bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching, squatting, and stooping.
• Motion activity: grasping.
• Hearing activity: in noisy areas, on a radio, behind themselves.
• Speaking activity: in person, on a phone, on a radio.
• Vision: must be able to operate a motor vehicle, distinguish color, have depth perception, and have peripheral vision.
• Frequently required to lift, push, or pull objects weighing up to 100 pounds.