Pet Kennel Advocate

Position Summary: City Care exists to do the work few others are willing to do. We believe in the intrinsic value of every person. It is with love and compassion that we walk alongside neighbors who are often overlooked in our community. We provide food for the hungry, relief for the hurting, and hold space for complete restoration of lives that have gotten off course. With enough endurance, we witness, firsthand, remarkable stories of transformation. Still reading? Great! Now more about the position. City Care is searching for a compassionate, nonjudgmental team member with a knack for seeing great potential in others and working as part of a team with the shared goal of motivating change. The Pet Kennel Advocate builds trusting relationships with shelter guests and their pets, coordinates pet care needs and resources, maintains pet supply inventory, and oversees the daily cleanliness and organization of the kennel area with assistance from other shelter staff. This position combines the guest-centered responsibilities of an Advocate I with specialized pet-focused support and kennel coordination. The successful candidate will understand the complexity of the intersection of poverty, homelessness, mental illness and substance use, while balancing the needs of people, pets, and shelter operations.

Key Responsibilities: Carry out the mission, vision and values of City Care. Build positive, respectful relationships with shelter guests and their pets using a low-barrier, trauma informed, and guest-centered approach. Provide Advocate I support to shelter guests, including daily check-ins and check-outs, encouragement toward services that support housing stability, and assistance with general shelter operations. Serve as the primary staff contact for questions, concerns, and needs related to pets staying in the shelter. Ask about pets at intake and gather and document relevant pet information, following City Care procedures regarding service animals and emotional support animals. Coordinate pet-related services with shelter guests, including feeding, exercise, preventative care, veterinary needs, medications, vaccinations, and other appropriate resources. Help shelter guests understand and follow applicable pet care, kennel, and shelter expectations while approaching concerns with compassion, clear communication, and problem-solving. Oversee daily kennel cleaning, sanitation, organization, and general upkeep, coordinating with other shelter staff to ensure responsibilities are completed. Monitor kennel conditions and promptly report maintenance, safety, animal health, or behavioral concerns to appropriate leadership. Maintain accurate records related to pets, including intake information, care needs, veterinary services, medications, vaccinations, referrals, and other required documentation. Maintain and regularly monitor inventory of pet food, bedding, cleaning supplies, enrichment items, and other pet-related resources; communicate supply needs and assist with ordering and donations. Develop and maintain a pet resource sheet and stay informed about community programs, animal welfare resources, veterinary providers, low-cost clinics, and other services available to guests and their pets. Coordinate with local veterinary providers, animal welfare organizations, volunteers, donors, local businesses, and other community partners as needed to meet guest and pet needs. Support the development and maintenance of pet-inclusive resources, including pet food and supply pantry resources, a designated pet-inclusive area, and appropriate options for pets during extreme weather. Track basic pet-related service data, including the number of guests requesting pet services, referrals to animal welfare organizations, and other information identified by City Care to understand needs and improve services and housing outcomes for guests with pets. Help incorporate pets into case management and guest service planning by identifying pet-related needs that may affect a guest's ability to access services or maintain housing. Assist pet owner with bathing and basic grooming of shelter pets as needed, following established animal handling and safety procedures. Assist with communicating and implementing City Care's pet policy and agreement and help identify opportunities to strengthen pet-related programming and resources. Assist with staff education and training related to pet-inclusive programming, available resources, pet care expectations, and safe and appropriate interaction with animals, as requested. Participate as a member of the broader shelter team, assisting with general shelter responsibilities and maintaining appropriate boundaries, confidentiality, safety practices, and professional conduct at all times. Other duties as assigned.

Skills & Experience: Understanding of the complexity of the intersection of poverty, homelessness, mental illness, substance use and recovery. Compassionate, nonjudgmental approach and ability to build trusting relationships with guests and their pets. Demonstrated ability to remain cool under pressure and respond appropriately to changing guest, animal, and shelter needs. Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, basic animal care, feeding, sanitation, handling, behavior, and safety practices. Computer literate, resulting in accurate data entry, recordkeeping, and documentation. Ability to multitask, prioritize competing needs, and follow through on responsibilities. Team-oriented approach with the ability to coordinate effectively with shelter staff and community partners. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate courteously and tactfully with guests, supervisors, coworkers, volunteers, donors, and internal and external partners. Professional judgment and discretion in maintaining appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality while working in a guest-centered environment. Physical ability to safely perform kennel and shelter duties, including frequent standing and walking and occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, kneeling, and other physical activities associated with animal care and cleaning. Ability to reliably report to the assigned work location and scheduled shifts. High School diploma or equivalent.

Preferred: Professional experience working with animals in a shelter, veterinary, rescue, boarding, or similar setting. Training or certification in animal handling, animal behavior, Fear Free shelter practices, ShelterSafe certification, kennel safety/protocol, or related areas; or willingness to obtain relevant training or certification after hire. BHCM-I or II, PRSS Certification, or other relevant human-services credential; or willingness to obtain relevant training or certification after hire. Experience navigating mental and physical health systems, benefits, social services, animal welfare resources, or other community resources. Experience in case management, shelter services, outreach, hospitality, or another guest-centered human services environment. Experience working with community partners, donations, or resource programs preferred. Evening and Overnight Shifts Available.

Salary: $14.23 per hour