Animal Welfare Specialist

This is a temporary position expected to run through January 2026. As a temporary employee, you will not be eligible for paid time off (PTO) or employer health benefits This role is ideal for individuals seeking short-term work experience for an organization with an impactful mission.

The Animal Welfare Specialist provides humane animal care and superior customer service in accordance with the AHS mission, goals and management philosophy. Supports humane animal husbandry by providing physical and emotional enrichment to all animals, and through feeding, cleaning, and daily maintenance of the kennel facilities. Assists adoption center guests by providing information regarding humane animal care, department services, facilitating visitations with animals, and adoption counseling which includes exceptional human customer service, compassion for our human families and facilitating great human-animal matches.

• Provide animals with adequate food, water, exercise, and daily emotional enrichment
• Observe, record, and report on animal health and behavior
• Maintain animal care records to ensure proper feeding and medicating, and ensure animals receive timely attention from a veterinarian as needed Handle animals in a humane manner according to established safety policies and procedures
• Clean and sanitize animal habitats according to the AHS cleaning and disease control protocols
• Maintain a clean and safe environment for the animals and the public
• Report building and equipment maintenance concerns promptly
• Stocking food and supplies, laundry, and dishes as assigned
• Provide the highest quality of customer service to clients and visitors
• Collaborates with other departments to accomplish departmental and organizational goals
• Council potential adopters, following AHS guidelines
• Promote a culture of teamwork, positivity, and provide aid to other staff and volunteers
• Provide customers with organizationally approved content such as basic medical information, behavior profiles, breed information, and adoption package benefits to help clients make good choices.
• Complete adoption paperwork, generate receipts, and maintain animal records in animal management database
• Maintain office, front counter, and counseling rooms in a clean and professional manner at all times

• Other duties as assigned

• High school diploma or GED equivalent

• Six months previous customer service experience in an office or retail business setting preferred
• Six months experience in a similar capacity in an animal shelter, veterinary hospital or clinic preferred
• Computer literate in a Windows environment required
• Knowledge of animal diseases, medications and treatment protocols preferred
• Ability to utilize effective problem solving/decision making skills Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with animals and people
• Knowledge of animal diseases, medications and treatment protocols preferred
• Experience in handling/reconciling funds preferred
• Willingness to travel and provide program support to other AHS locations and departments
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to multi-task and handle a high stress, emotional environment
• Must be able to set aside personal judgement for the betterment of the client and the animals
• Must be able to communicate with and work well with a diverse clientele, different races, ethnicities, faiths, sexual orientations, income levels, etc. Working Conditions
• Requires humane handling of animals and safe handling of cleaning supplies, chemicals and equipment in compliance with safety rules and according to SDS rules
• Ability to lift, pull or push up to 50 lbs. with reasonable accommodations
• Required to follow AHS uniform policy
• Works in a high noise level area
• Physical efforts require constant bending, stooping and standing
• Safety procedures must be adhered to without exception
• Exposure to dogs and cats of all sizes and varying degrees of behavior and/or medical conditions
• Exposure to animal waste and common allergens