The Animal Care Assistant – Hybrid role supports both the daily operations of the animal shelter and the shelter’s social media presence. This individual ensures the health, safety, and comfort of animals in our care while also helping to tell their stories and share our mission online. This position requires multitasking in a fast-paced, high-stress environment and may involve direct interaction with the public. Compassion, creativity, and a strong work ethic are essential. - Age requirement:18 years of age or older. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE/ LICENSING & TRAINING Key Responsibilities:Animal Care & Husbandry - - Clean and disinfect animal housing areas, including kennels, cat condos, isolation units, and exercise yards. - Feed animals according to prescribed diets and feeding schedules. - Administer oral and topical medications under supervision. - Assist with basic vaccinations, deworming, and flea/tick prevention. - Monitor animals for signs of illness, injury, or distress and promptly report findings to medical or supervisory staff. - Assist with grooming needs such as bathing, brushing, nail trims, and ear cleaning. - Support in implanting microchips during intake or adoption procedures. - Safely handle animals of all sizes and temperaments, including those that are sick, injured, or frightened. Facility Sanitation & Operations - Maintain a clean and sanitary shelter environment, including mopping floors, taking out trash, and general cleaning tasks. - Wash dishes, litter boxes, and animal care supplies regularly. - Do laundry and ensure clean bedding, towels, and blankets are available. - Stock supplies in animal care and cleaning areas; notify supervisor when supplies are low. - Clean and maintain food prep areas, laundry rooms, storage areas, and general public spaces. - Multitask between animal care duties and facility operations efficiently, even under pressure. Customer & Team Support - - Assist with the intake and processing of animals, including data entry, weighing, and photographing. - Help during adoptions, reclaims, and meet-and-greet appointments as needed. - Provide friendly, helpful service to the public and foster families, as directed. - Assist in humane euthanasia procedures (training and certification may be required). - Support animal enrichment activities (e.g., walks, playtime, treats, socialization). - Participate in shelter events, outreach, and educational programs when scheduled. - Collaborate with veterinary staff, animal enforcement, and other departments as needed. - Stay calm, focused, and professional in high-stress or emotionally challenging situations. Social Media & Outreach Support - Assist in capturing quality photos and videos of animals for adoption profiles and social media content. - Take candid and scheduled photos of shelter staff and volunteers for engagement and recognition posts. - Help draft captions, updates, and informational posts that promote animal welfare, events, or shelter news. - Support the promotion of adoptable animals on shelter platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Adopt-a-pet, and the shelter website etc. - Collaborate with the adoption and front desk teams to gather animal bios and updates. - Provide creative input for campaign themes, taglines, and awareness posts. - Help monitor comments and messages on social media platforms and forward inquiries to the appropriate staff. - Assist with creating or setting up for photo booths, banners, or displays at community outreach or adoption events. EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:High School Diploma or GED, and any combination of training, education, and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the functions of the position. Wear required uniform and be required to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends and holidays. LICENSING & TRAINING:Valid State Driver's License - Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/ KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS/ ABILITIES Qualifications: - - High school diploma or equivalent required. - Ability to follow detailed instructions and standard operating procedures. - Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and stand/walk for extended periods. - Ability to multitask and adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment. - Strong written communication skills and basic photography or social media experience preferred. - Willingness to work weekends, holidays, and flexible hours as needed. - Compassion for animals and commitment to humane care. - Strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Work Environment:This role involves exposure to cleaning chemicals, animal waste, loud noises, and potentially aggressive or sick animals. The environment can be emotionally and physically demanding. Personal protective equipment is provided and must be used as instructed. PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by and employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to climb or balance; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, walk, sit and talk or hear, stand for extended periods of time, using hand/arms above shoulder level while operating a whistle; handle and feel objects, tools, or controls. Use visual and muscular dexterity to operate a motor vehicle and various tools; exercise independent judgment and recognize emergency and hazardous situations. The employee may be required to move or drag up to 165 lbs. without assistance; carry up to 50 lbs. short distances without assistance. Specific hearing abilities include ability to hear, hold conversation with others by telephone, in person, and over radio equipment. Specific vision abilities required abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee can be in an office and regularly works in a variety of weather conditions. The employee is required to work flexible shifts that include evenings, weekends and holidays. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, and moderate to loud when in the kennel.