Caretaker Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $45,320.00 - $60,770.00 Annually
Location : Ontario, CA
Job Type: ARCIE Position
Job Number: 062426-AnimalCaretaker
Department: Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire
Opening Date: 06/26/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: ARCIE
The Position
Animal Caretaker
(Full Time/Part Time)
Annual Salary Range: $44,000 - $59,000
Effective July 1, 2026 (3% Increase): $45,320 - $60,770
Placement within this range is dependent on qualifications, experience, and ultimately established by the ARC Board of Directors. The ARC Executive Director of Animal Services will serve as the ultimate hiring authority. The ARC is not employed by the City of Ontario nor any other agency members. The successful candidate will be an at-will employee of the Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire and ultimately they will be appointed by and serve under the ARC Executive Director of Animal Services.
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. This recruitment may close at any time without notice. The first review of applications is scheduled for Friday, July 10, 2026.
Are you passionate about serving the community and supporting a team that is committed to making a positive impact? The Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire is seeking a skilled, compassionate, and experienced individuals to join the organization to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make a difference as their new Animal Caretakers. The Animal Caretaker will perform a range of routine animal services duties, including impounding animals, providing customer service to patrons keeping shelter and kennel areas clean, providing enrichment for shelter animals as well as observing and reporting animal issues. Incumbents may also restrain animals for veterinary examinations or simple medical procedures.
Under the general supervision, the Animal Caretaker performs a variety of duties involving the feeding, care, and treatment of all animals at the Agency's animal shelter. Incumbents in this class will receive, process, and care for impounded animals, maintain facilities at the animal shelter, answer questions from the public about the animal care program, and perform other related duties as assigned.
The Ideal Candidate will possess:

• Premiere customer service skills that embody the Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire's Customer Service Philosophy.
• A growth mindset with a strong passion for developing others, and an exceptional ability to model and foster teamwork.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills,
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Skilled in conflict resolution and handling sensitive situations
• The ability to work collaboratively with the public and ARC team members.

The following procedures will apply:

• The Eligibility List will consist of both internal and external applicants who meet the qualifications and successfully complete any required selection processes.
• The hiring department has the discretion to consider internal applicants on the Eligibility List prior to considering external candidates on the Eligibility List.
• The Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire serves the right, if necessary, to accept only the first one hundred (100) applications from applicants that meet the qualification guidelines below.

• Completed applications will be reviewed and only qualified applicants whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements of the position and needs of ARC will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Animal Resource of the Inland Empire Agency
On July 16, 2024, the Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire (ARC) was established through a Joint Power Authority (JPA) Agreement with the member agencies being the cities of Chino, Montclair, Ontario and the County of San Bernardino for the west end unincorporated areas. ARC will be a full-service animal services agency providing both animal control and sheltering services to the member agencies, and will become operational on July 1, 2025. ARC is lead through a Board of Directors which is comprised of an elected official from each of the member agencies. In December 2024, the Board of Director appointed Clinton Thacker to be the inaugural Executive Director of the Agency where he brings over 20 years of public animal services experience including animal control, sheltering, and even has built and opened a new animal services facility. The Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire has 35 full-time equivalent positions through three divisions of field, sheltering, and administrative. The service area for our agency is 95 square miles.
For more information, click here to learn more about
Examples of Essential Functions

1. Respond to public inquiries regarding the disposition of animals, animal shelter procedures, lost and found animals, and adoption procedures.
2. Cleans and maintains assigned areas in a neat and organized manner by disinfecting kennels, cages, shelter grounds, and equipment.
3. Observe sick, quarantined, and potentially injured animals, and report problems.
4. Bathes, grooms, and prepares animals available for placement.
5. Maintains animal inventory records and records of controlled substances by utilizing database software.
6. Provide and replenish food and water for domestic, exotic, and wild animals.
7. Serve as cashier, which includes handling customer transactions (including redemptions and sales of licenses), and the release and adoption of animals.
8. Transport animals to and from veterinary offices and other medical facilities.
9. Complete ongoing and preventive maintenance of shelter facilities and equipment.
10. Order and pick up supplies needed at the shelter.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualification Guidelines
Education
High school diploma or recognized equivalent.
Experience
One (1) year of customer service experience.
Licenses

• Valid Class C California driver's license at time of appointment.
• Acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

Desirable
Six (6) months of recent experience working with domestic animals in a veterinary hospital, clinical setting, or animal services facility.
Special Requirements
Ability to work various schedules including day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts as needed.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply
Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com, you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise, log in with your username and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:

• List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.

• List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).

• Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.

A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.
NOTE: Transcripts from colleges, universities or technical schools outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or credential evaluation report will result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit required certification(s) or other required documentation as outlined in the Qualifications Guideline section of this bulletin. Please use the attachment function found on the City's online application to attach copies of the requested certification(s) or other documentation. Failure to attach required documentation may result in the rejection of your application. Please contact the Human Resources/Risk Management Agency if you have any questions regarding the application process.
Your application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications. It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Failure to complete these sections may result in the rejection of your application.
Supplemental Questions
To complete your application for this position, you may be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.
Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.
Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
Email Notices
Email is the primary way that the Human Resources/Risk Management or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the City of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our page.
BENEFITS SNAPSHOT(FULL-TIME ONLY)
Here at the Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire, you and your family are important to us. Our benefits programs are designed to support you and your loved ones through life's transitions and stages. We offer medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, life insurance, retirement plan savings and so much more
MEDICAL, DENTAL, & VISION
Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire provides medical, dental, & vision insurance that fits you and your family's needs. Below is a snapshot of the programs available to you and your family!
Medical - California Choice - Up to $2,250 per month city contribution
Dental - Up to $117.12 per month employer contribution
Vision - Up to $17.24 per month employer contribution
RETIREMENT
The Agency has Deferred Compensation Plans available through Voya Financial. Employer paid contributions of 10% of base salary to a 401(a) retirement plan will be made on your behalf.
VACATION
3 Weeks of Annual Leave
10 Paid Holidays per year
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
Life Insurance $50,000 in coverage
AD&D $50,000 in coverage
Flexible Spending Accounts
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Mental health awareness, legal assistance, financial coaching, child & eldercare assistance, pet insurance, counseling sessions, gym membership discounts, rideshare program, and much more!
01
INSTRUCTIONS: The information on your application and the following supplemental questionnaire will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility and to further identify those applicants who are best qualified to continue in the selection process for this position. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, partial information or AI-generated responses may result in disqualification from the selection process. Resumes may be attached, but they will not be accepted in lieu of completing the job experience section of the application or the supplemental questions. Responses to the supplemental questions that indicate "see resume" are considered incomplete. By checking the 'Yes' response below, I indicate that I have read the job bulletin and these instructions for completing the supplemental questionnaire. Additionally, I certify that my application and supplemental answers accurately reflect my training, education and experience; and I understand that my responses are subject to verification.

• Yes, I understand the above statement

02
This opportunity is a position with the Animal Resource Center of the Inland Empire and not an employee with the City of Ontario nor any other agency members.

• Yes, I understand the above statement.

03
Do you possess a high school diploma or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you possess one (1) year of customer service experience?

• Yes
• No

05
Please select the years of experience in public service, animal services, social services, animal healthcare, or a related field.

• No Experience
• 6 months or more but less than 1 year
• 1 year or more

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