Animal Care Associate

Posting Date
10/15/26
Application Deadline
10/20/26
Pay Range
Anticipated Hiring Range: $19.00 - $25.75 hourly
Full Pay Range: $19.00 - $32.50 hourly
Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification. The 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 a passionate animal advocate who is motivated to care for animals by providing a clean and caring kennel environment for the dogs in our care?
As one of the largest animal shelters in the Nation, we need your support to make a difference! We want you to be our next diligent Animal Care Associate to provide daily care and support for our shelter dogs. You’ll be an advocate for the dogs and promote the health, safety, and welfare of the people and animals of Maricopa County.
This position requires the employee to work on campus, both indoors and outdoors, and be 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 first-hand about the 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
Child care benefits, including access to the Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring an 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
Want to learn more about the County’s Qualifying and Compensation Philosophy? Follow this link to learn more! Work With Us | Maricopa County, AZ
We Require
Six months of experience working with animals in a veterinary hospital, humane society, or other animal facility
High school diploma or GED
Other Requirements
Candidates must be flexible and able to work all shifts, including starting as early as 6 AM and finishing as late as 7 PM. Weekends and holidays are required. Animal Care Associates are assigned on any shift, with any combination of days off, determined by the needs of the Department. May be assigned to work at other shelter locations based on operational needs
Must complete department-required animal handling training within 30 days of hire
Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, which includes but is not limited to heat and cold
We Also Value
Six months of in-person customer service work experience
Six months of kennel cleaning experience
Hands-on experience working with canines of all sizes
Experience working in high temperatures
Job Contributions
Clean indoor and outdoor dog kennels by picking up animal waste, scrubbing and sanitizing walls and floors, and replacing soiled animal beds, while meeting established productivity and time expectations
Perform other animal care duties by restocking essential supplies and maintaining clean, organized, and fully prepared kennel areas
Responsible for providing appropriate food and water, performing general housekeeping of the shelter, and ensuring medical and behavior concerns are documented and addressed within the set time
Conduct daily shelter welfare rounds, assist with the movement of animals, and record and address concerns following standard protocols
Ensure shelter areas are maintained throughout the day. Keep supply areas stocked and clean, and ensure tools and equipment are kept in good working order. Report broken items in a timely manner
Update animal records and perform data entry at the shelter, ensuring all animal information, including kennel cards, medical records, and behavior records, is accurate. Ensure animal records are updated throughout the shelter stay process
Follow all feeding, handling, and care policies and expectations within the guidelines of the five domains of animal welfare, and ensure that positive reinforcement training and fear-free methods are utilized
Other job duties as assigned
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an animal shelter with exposure to extreme and varying temperatures, excessive noise, dogs and cats with unknown temperaments or behaviors, animal waste and fluids, deceased animals, cleaning chemicals, and zoonotic diseases
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk on all types of surfaces, some of which are slippery, uneven, or rough
Employees are required to adapt quickly to shifting priorities
Stand, walk, bend, and stoop for up to 8 hours per shift. Reach, push, and pull objects using hands and arms. Maintain steady stamina during fast-paced shifts.
Exerting 50-100 lbs. occasionally, 10-25 lbs. frequently, or up to 10-20 lbs. constantly
Selection Procedure
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 and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact MHRFeedback@maricopa.gov to initiate the interactive process.
Apply Now!