Animal Behavior And Adoptions Assistant

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Animal Behavior and Adoptions Assistant

Part Time, 30hrs/wk, $17/hr

Position: Animal Behavior and Adoptions Assistant – Pima Animal Care Center

FLSA Status: Grant funded position not guaranteed beyond June 30, 2026.

Reports To: Operations Manager of Friends of PACC, with daily supervision by unit supervisor at PACC

Organization Profile: Friends of PACC is the nonprofit fundraising partner supporting Pima Animal Care Center (PACC).

Position Purpose & Overview: The purpose of this position is to assist the staff at PACC in areas identified as needing additional staffing support. This position provides direct services to animals. Duties, training, and daily supervision is provided by the PACC supervisor of each particular department.

The position is temporary. Length of employment and hours are based solely on need and available funding.

Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) is the open-admissions animal shelter for Tucson and Pima County, taking in around 19,000 pets each year and providing a full range of animal services covering a 9,000-square-mile area.

Summary: This position will be responsible for assisting with the Pima Animal Care Center Behavior and Adoptions programs including performing behavior assessments, helping to implement playgroups, behavior management and enrichment, and assisting in counseling to potential adopters or fosters. The Animal Behavior and Adoptions Assistant will be committed to helping reduce stress, boost mental and physical well-being and positively impact live release outcomes for dogs at Pima Animal Care Center. This position works outdoors in all weather conditions and safely handles live animals, including those that may be injured, frightened, or offensive, using appropriate techniques trained through PACC protocols to minimize risks to self and others.

This work typically is performed under general direction of the Animal Behavior Assessment Coordinator.

Essential Functions:

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

Ø Helps implement enrichment, behavior and adoption programs for PACC dogs;

Ø Supports daily enrichment playgroups, ensuring they follow PACC’s policies and safety procedures;

Ø Assists in objective behavior assessment for dogs and may help perform behavioral modification or training programs for dogs with unique behavioral needs;

Ø Participates in outcome decisions, including deadlines and potential euthanasia when appropriate;

Ø Administers medications and vaccinations under veterinary guidance; monitors animal health;

Ø Supports adoptions and fosters through meet-and-greets and match making;

Ø Facilitates meet-and-greets with potential adopter’s personal dogs and PACC dogs;

Ø Assists with the pairing of dogs for living in-kennel;

Ø Maintains accurate records of behavior, health, history, and outcomes using shelter software;

Ø Delivers excellent customer service to the public and volunteers, following PACC policies;

Ø Maintains a clean and sanitary facility, including kennels, workspaces, public lobbies, and treatment spaces;

Ø Frequently lifts and carries heavy objects, bends, stoops, reaches, and performs other physical tasks as required;

Ø Safeguards and accounts for scheduled drugs and funds received for PACC services;

Ø Performs other tasks as assigned.

Training and Experience:

The minimum qualification is a high school diploma or General Education Development (G.E.D.) certificate.

Preferred Qualifications:

Ø Animal handling experience with dogs/cats.

Ø Bilingual (English/Spanish).

Ø Experience working, volunteering, interning in an animal shelter, boarding facility, animal clinic setting, or other relevant animal care setting.

Ø Customer service experience.

Ø Commitment to positive reinforcement as the first line of teaching, training and behavior training and modification considered, and should be applied consistently for all species.

General

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an employee assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel incumbent in this position.

Licenses and Certificates

All positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver’s license at the time of application or appointment. Failure to obtain/maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.

Americans with Disability Specifications

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. Employees will be working directly with animals. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, occasionally up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Employees work within a confined space, with animals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The employee is at times exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.

This position works both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions and requires weekend availability.

PACC is open seven (7) days a week and has staffing as early as 6:00 am until 8:00 pm. Schedules rotate regularly. This position requires flexibility to work across all shifts (days, evenings, rotating) and weekends (Monday – Friday, weekends, rotating schedules, etc.).

Compensation: $17.00 an hour

At Will Relationship

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship which means that either you or Friends of PACC may terminate the relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause.

About Friends of Pima Animal Care Center (FOP)

Friends of PACC is the official, nonprofit, philanthropic partner to our county animal shelter, which is the only shelter in our community that never turns away a pet in need, taking in approximately 19,000 pets annually. Friends of PACC exists to support and enhance PACC’s efforts to save the lives of pets in need. We grant critically needed resources—like veterinary care, medications, and equipment—to PACC so that it can continue the amazing lifesaving progress it has made in recent years. We envision a future in which every pet that comes to PACC is supported with the resources needed to find a loving home.

Friends of Pima Animal Care Center is an equal opportunity employer, complies with all Federal and Arizona State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS

Friends of Pima Animal Care Center conducts pre-employment screenings for all positions, which includes a background check, verification of academic credentials, licenses, certifications, and work history. In addition, a check of names and identification documents is conducted on all new employees to ensure they are legally authorized to work in the United States.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person