The Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA (AAWL & SPCA) – the largest and oldest no-kill shelter in Arizona – is seeking Animal Care Technicians (ACTs). ACTs provide direct care to AAWL’s shelter animals. They are responsible for the feeding, cleaning, and exercising our animals, as well as assisting our medical teams in pulling animals for surgery and/or releasing animals post-surgery. AAWL trains all ACTs to use a variety of sanitizers, disinfectants and cleaning equipment following strict protocols.

The ACT position requires attention to detail, good decision-making, the ability to work independently and have good communication skills with volunteers, the public and co-workers. ACTs interact with all animals on site daily, and for that reason AAWL relies on their observation and documentation skills to ensure critical information is transmitted to AAWL’s medical and behavior teams as animals move though the shelter intake-to-adoption process.

ACTs report to the Animal Care Manager.  This is a part-time (20 – 29 hours/week), non-exempt position in Phoenix.  Hours range from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Shifts are available 7 days per week.  Weekends are required. Full-time positions may be available post training.
 

Responsibilities

  • Provide food and water for dogs and cats;
  • Exercise dogs and provide out-of-kennel potty breaks for dogs;
  • Clean animal housing and exercise areas, carriers, litter boxes and bedding;
  • Take inventory and stock necessary supplies;
  • Monitor and record food intake, exercise and report observed medical or behavioral issues;
  • Open/unlock facility at start of day and/or close/lock facility at end of day; and
  • Assist medical department in pulling animals for surgery and/or releasing animals from surgery back to their kennels or condos.

Qualifications

  • Animal handling experience other than your own animals is preferred, but not required; 
  • Must be able to lift and carry 50lbs and perform duties that require lifting, bending, stooping throughout a 5- or 6- hour shift;
  • Must be able to read and write English;
  • Ability to adapt to change and accept new duties within a fast-growing organization; and 
  • Ability to work with diverse individuals within the organization and broader community. 

Requirements

Requires periodic sitting at a computer station with prolonged standing and walking. Use of personal computer, phone and general office equipment. Must be comfortable handling dogs and cats daily on a continuous basis. Will be exposed to disinfectant solutions and subject to bites and scratches while handling animals of questionable temperament. Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with animals, the public, volunteers, and staff. Also requires flexibility to readily adapt to a fast-paced changing environment and the ability to work weekends and holidays.

To Apply for This Position

Please submit a resume to: IMudryj@aawl.org. In your subject line, please reference “ACT” in your email. No phone calls or walk-ins, please.

Employment Details

AAWL offers compensation that is commensurate with experience and competitive with animal welfare salaries. This position pays $15/hr to start; $16.08 at completion of initial training. This is a part-time, non-exempt position that accrues paid sick time. Full time positions may be available post training. Full-time benefits include employer-paid medical insurance, paid vacation/sick time off, and twelve paid holidays.