Animal Rescue Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

Want to work for a progressive, effective, and innovative lifesaving animal shelter caring for nearly 10,000 animals a year?

Join our team at the Nevada Humane Society as an Animal Care Associate on the Cat Team at our Reno Campus.

We are proud to be a high save organization and are looking for individuals who enjoy working with people as much as working with animals.

Help us care for our animal population daily and match families with a new best friend.

We offer a fast-paced environment with competitive pay, and a free medical benefits package!

Our Animal Care Associate will:

Provides proper care for all animals housed at the Nevada Humane Society. Based off assigned department, will be responsible to the Animal Care Manager and under the direction of the Director of Operations.

The Reno/Tahoe region is host to a growing population of motivated professionals who work hard but value a work life balance and lean into the numerous outdoor recreational opportunities of the region.

Sweeping ski and snowboard vistas pair with stunning water experiences at nearby Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake, complemented by numerous hiking, biking and park amenities – together these options make an active day in the valley or in the nearby mountains a matter of which terrain you want to experience.

 In fact, Reno was named by Outsider Magazine as the #1 Happiest Place to Live in the United States in 2023, citing the burgeoning craft brewing scene, its annual monthlong summer art festival (Artown), as well as the prolific Burning Man installations made public thanks to its proximity to Burning Man, and the relatively affordable cost of living.
Home to Nevada’s first university, the University of Nevada, Reno, the region comes alive with school spirit. It also boasts an impressive number of community-minded professionals, a number that is growing thanks to blue chip companies like Tesla and Microsoft.  

With approximately 300 days of sunlight each year, a diverse economy, and a wealth of options for adventure, the Reno/Tahoe area is a perfect home for a nonprofit professional looking to continue the next chapter of their career in a bustling and welcoming community.

Essential Duties/Functions:

1. Treating all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion always, regardless of the situation or circumstance.
2. Daily, thorough cleaning of all animal areas, including inside/outside sections of animal housing, floors, walls, windows, dishes, bedding, etc.
3. Spot cleaning of animals and public areas throughout the day.
4. Provides food and water, including special diets as needed.
5. Provides daily exercise and/or enrichment for every animal under the care of the Nevada Humane Society.
6. Bathe and groom animals when necessary.
7. Assist with the maintenance and appropriate kennel card and kennel signage for individual animals based off of their behavior and medical history.
8. Conduct Population Wellness checks daily to monitor and track the behavior and wellness of animals under the care of the Nevada Humane Society.
9. Identify, separate, and monitor animals showing signs of illness or disease and notify the department management team. For emergency situations follow the red flag SOP.
10. Assist the clinic department with surgery animals when necessary, placing animals in appropriate habitats for recovery.
11. Providing transportation of animals as needed, to and from vet appointments, to and from organizational events, and to and from other shelters/rescue operations.
12. Assist customers on the adoption floor, matchmaking animals to customers for best suited homes based off the animal’s history and known behavior.
13. Assist with training and support of volunteers in related work areas.
14. Wash, dry, and fold laundry.
15. In the event of an emergency, assist with the handling and evacuation of animals located at either Nevada Humane Society campus.

General Duties/Functions:

1. Helps promote fundraising activities and solicit support of agency overall.
2. Participate in disaster preparedness and response activities for the shelter and community as it pertains to pet related needs.
3. Interacts with co-workers and volunteers in an efficient and courteous manner to ensure a cooperative team environment amongst all departments.
4. Maintain and promote a positive public image standard relevant to the Nevada Humane Society.
5. Attend and participate in departmental and shelter meetings. Attend educational conferences/seminars as recommended/approved.
6. Address and/or report any safety hazards or unsafe use of NHS equipment.
7. Perform other duties as requested by direct management, and/or the CEO.

Working Conditions: Air-conditioned office or air-conditioned building with computer and internet access. May require travel within a workday on a regular basis. Work is also performed outdoors and/or offsite for shelter events. Use of personal vehicles may be required for fieldwork; mileage allowance will be provided.

Equipment Use: Telephone, cell phone, two-way radios, computer, printer, scanner, copier, and other office-related equipment. Additionally requires use of specialized cleaning equipment including hoses, foamers, scrapers, and standard janitorial equipment. May require use of personal and company vehicles.

Work Hours: This is an hourly position that requires flexibility. While a typical workweek will be 40 hours, days off, or scheduling may change based on the needs of the organization, attendance at events and other functions may require longer hours or holiday, weekend, and evening work.

Mental Demands: Must have the ability to multitask, prioritize and handle various levels of stress. Position requires excellent organizational skills, as well as a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Must have adequate judgment and self-confidence to handle decision making duties. Must be able to meet deadlines and delegate appropriately. Must be a team player able to give and receive instructions and work effectively with all staff. Requires exceptional attention to detail, courteous and professional demeanor, extensive interaction with staff and public, Ability work with staff and volunteers in a fair and ethical manner. Requires the ability to think clearly, act quickly and utilize sound judgment in a variety of situations. Requires the ability to be self-disciplined and self-motivated. Must be able to endure long hours and remain alert, energized, and positive.

Physical Demands: This position may involve desk and computer work and being on your feet for long periods of time. Position may include (vehicle) travel back and forth to outside venues as well as some lifting. Must be able to work at a fast and efficient pace. Must be able to be on your feet and walk all day. Requires lifting heavy objects more than 50 pounds. Ability to safely handle and control animals of all kinds.

Safety Demands: This position is safety sensitive due to the duties in this role that directly affect the wellbeing and safety of employees and the public. This position involves the risk of exposure to animals with unpredictable or aggressive behavior.  This position involves exposure to allergens produced by exposure to animal dander, saliva, or fur. This position involves the risk of exposure to zoonotic disease. This position involves the risk of scratches, bites, and other direct or indirect injury from an animal or other mechanical means used to confine or control an animal.

Desired Experience: Experience in same or related position in a nonprofit setting-preferably animal welfare. Record of continually increasing responsibilities with measurable results. A sincere interest in Organization’s mission and vision and increasing visibility within the community.

Qualification Requirements:

• High School graduate (or equivalent).
• Physically able to walk and/or stand on your feet throughout a normal workday.
• Physically able to engage in repetitive motions of legs, arms, and hands, to hear, to see, to move animals and goods.
• Physically able to carry up to 50 pounds regularly throughout a normal workday.
• Ability to function independently, manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. 
• Strong interpersonal communication and written skills. 
• Ability to stay abreast of new developments in the community, especially as it relates to animal welfare.
• Strong attention to detail with a high degree of accuracy.
• Excellent verbal, written and observational skills.
• Must be goal-oriented, self-starter with a willingness and maturity to go beyond prescribed work and time schedules and meet assigned deadlines.
• Possession of a valid Nevada or California Driver’s license with valid registration and insurance of personal vehicles.

General Qualifications:

• Must have a passion for animals and support the mission of the Nevada Humane Society.
• Must treat animals humanely, with love and concern both on and off the job and transmit these values to others.
• Must adhere to all local laws regarding personally owned animals.
• General knowledge of pet behavior and care. Ability to work with all kinds of animals in a safe and responsible manner.
• Positive attitude a must!

Additional Qualifications that would benefit this position:

• Experience in a nonprofit agency.
• Animal welfare experience. 
• Professional animal handling experience