Animal Jobs in Highlands Ranch, CO (NOW HIRING)

Foothills Animal Shelter seeks an Animal Care Technician who finds purpose in the daily, hands-on work of caring for shelter animals and is ready to show up — reliably, independently, and with genuine dedication — for the animals who need it most.

Who We Are

As an open admissions shelter, we are committed to being here for families and their pets in Jefferson County, Colorado. We identify as a socially conscious shelter, caring for over 9,000 dogs, cats, and small animals every year with a compassionate team of staff and volunteers who are committed to the physical and emotional wellbeing of every pet we serve.

What You Bring

• You are reliable. You show up on time, follow through on your assigned tasks, and complete your work without being reminded. You pride yourself on your dependability.
• You work well on your own. Give you a task list and a set of procedures, and you’re off — no hand-holding required. You manage your time, own your areas, and get things done.
• You are built for physical work. You thrive when you’re on your feet and in motion, and you take pride in the effort it takes to keep a shelter clean, safe, and running smoothly.
• You pay attention to the animals in your care. You notice when something seems off — a change in behavior, a dog who isn’t eating, a cat who seems unwell — and you speak up.
• You are a team player. You treat colleagues and volunteers with patience and respect, and you contribute to a positive workplace culture where everyone is working toward the same goal.
• You are comfortable with the emotional realities of shelter work. You can face difficult situations — sick animals, hard outcomes — with professionalism and compassion, and you don’t let the hard days diminish your commitment to the ones who need you.

What You’ll Do

• Clean, sanitize, and reset animal kennels and housing areas every day — this is the heart of the role, and you do it thoroughly, consistently, and with care.
• Feed, water, and provide enrichment to the animals in your assigned areas, ensuring every animal has what they need to stay healthy and comfortable.
• Provide hands-on daily care for dogs, cats, and any other animals in your assigned areas, following established procedures and reporting any health or behavioral concerns to your supervisor.
• Serve as a positive, cooperative presence for the volunteers you work alongside, offering guidance and setting a good example.

What We Offer

• Let’s start with the obvious: we offer truly meaningful work that positively impacts the lives of thousands of animals each year.
• You will work with a team of animal welfare professionals who work hard, care deeply, and are 100% dedicated to the well-being of our shelter animals.
• We strive for a healthy work-life balance, offering generous time off benefits. Part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week enjoy floating holidays (awarded annually on your employment anniversary), vacation accrual, and sick leave accrual. 
• Upon satisfaction of eligibility requirements, part-time employees may participate in our retirement plan with up to 4% employer match and immediate vesting. 
• The pay rate for this position is $19.00 per hour. 
• Foothills Animal Shelter is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer.

Schedule

Five- or ten-hour shifts start at 7:00 am. At least one weekend day required; schedule will include holidays.

View complete job description here.

Education and Experience

• Prior experience in a physical work environment preferred
• Prior experience in animal sheltering or similar professional animal care field preferred 

Licenses and Certifications

• Must obtain Fear Free Shelter certification within 60 days of employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of or the ability to learn general principles of animal care
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn methods of kennel cleaning & maintenance 
• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, and complete all assigned duties within each shift without direct oversight
• Ability to multi-task and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with proprietary information and sensitive situations
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of people and personality types
• Ability to read, interpret, and consistently apply written standard operating procedures (SOPs) with minimal direction
• Basic proficiency with computers; ability to learn and use cloud-based shelter management software for daily recordkeeping
• Ability to maintain professional composure and emotional resilience when working with sick, injured, or at-risk animals

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for full shift on hard surfaces with no sedentary work
• Ability to bend, twist, kneel, and squat frequently throughout the shift
• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds regularly throughout the shift
• Ability to handle dogs of all sizes on leash, including dogs weighing over 100 pounds
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions year-round including heat, cold, rain, and snow
• Ability to push and pull loaded carts, kennels, and equipment regularly throughout the shift
• Ability to perform repetitive physical tasks including scrubbing, mopping, and resetting kennels throughout the full shift
• Ability to reach above shoulder height and below knee level frequently throughout the shift
• Ability to work in confined spaces including animal kennels and housing areas
• Ability to work safely on wet and slippery floor surfaces throughout the shift

Working Conditions

• Five- or Ten-hour shifts with at least one weekend day required; schedule will include holidays
• Noise, odors, chemical fumes, and animal hair/dander are encountered due to equipment and animals
• Exposure to common allergens including animal dander, feathers, hay/straw, latex, peanut butter, dairy products, and other food items used for animal enrichment
• Exposure to zoonotic diseases and infectious agents through contact with animals and their bodily fluids (urine, feces, vomit, blood, saliva)
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and sanitizing agents used in animal care and facility maintenance
• Exposure to emotionally challenging situations including sick or injured animals; euthanasia procedures; and end-of-life decision-making
• Frequent hand washing and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required
• Subject to animal bites and scratches
• Work in areas with fluctuating temperatures, humidity, and limited climate control

Equipment Used

• Computer using Microsoft Office, e-mail, and cloud-based data management software
• Chemicals and cleaning tools to provide care for the animals
• Animal handling equipment and tools including leashes, hide boxes, shields, and gloves

About Foothills Animal Shelter: Foothills Animal Shelter is an open admission shelter serving the Jefferson County community. We are a Fear Free Certified Shelter, adhering to force free and positive reinforcement philosophies, and are a Socially Conscious Animal Shelter, seeking the best possible outcomes for the animals at our shelter and our community. Each year, we shelter almost 9,000 dogs, cats, and small animals with the help of our skilled and experienced teams of staff and volunteers. In addition to adoptions, we offer a wide range of services including lost and found pet reunification, pet licensing for Jefferson County, and supportive programs like Better Together, which helps keep pets and families together during times of hardship. Foothills Animal Shelter operates under an intergovernmental agreement between Jefferson County and the cities of Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakewood, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge.    

Benefits (part-time): Part-time employees earn sick time each pay period. Part-time employees who are regularly scheduled at least 20 hours per week also accrue vacation time each pay period. After six months of employment, employees who complete eligibility requirements may enroll in a 401K retirement plan that we will match up to 4%. Foothills Animal Shelter is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer.