Entry Level Kennel Cleaner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $39,395.20 - $47,091.20 Annually
Location : Cabarrus County, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: FY26-01427
Department: ANIMAL SHELTER
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Description
Applicants are encouraged to apply early. The application review process will take place immediately and continue until the position is filled. This recruitment may close any time after the first review or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
Hiring range for this position is $39,395.20- $47,091.20. Initial placement for new employees is customarily at entry level through 35% percentile. Pay grade for this position is 13.
This position works a rotating schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., including weekend and holiday coverage as scheduled.
General Definition of Work:
Performs as lead worker to personnel engaged in maintaining the Cabarrus County Animal Shelter's facility in a clean and sanitary manner while providing sheltered animals with humane care and attention. Work is performed under regular supervision of the Shelter Care Supervisor.
Examples of Duties
Essential Functions/Typical Tasks:
Leads Kennel Technicians in humane care of shelter animals and maintenance and sanitation of the Animal Shelter; feeds, medicates and cleans up after animals; assists with drop off, reclamation, and adoption of animals; assists with animal assessment and euthanasia of shelter animals, holding as needed.
(These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Animal Care:

• Provides for the daily care of animals to include feeding, providing water, medicating, cleaning and sanitizing animal enclosures and animal areas.
• Processes animal intakes received from the public as well as brought in by animal control officers. Follows intake protocols and maintains proper flow of animals.
• Ensures proper documentation and labeling of animal enclosures.
• Provides assistance in restraint of animals for medical procedures and euthanasia, and ensures proper disposal.
• Performs humane euthanasia as requested.
• Monitors animals and immediately reports health or behavior abnormalities to supervisor.
• Practices and encourages the humane treatment of animals.
• Follows protocols to maintain accurate documentation and complete animal records.
• Follows cleaning and disease prevention protocols to maintain sanitary conditions in animal enclosures and kennel areas.
• Maintains clean and organized work environment.
• Basic cleaning and maintenance duties.
• Transports animals to and from shelter as needed.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Facility Care:

• Responsible for the cleaning of the shelter to include storage rooms, supply areas, outside play areas, etc.
• Follows established disease control protocols to daily clean, disinfect and maintain shelter kennels, cages, etc.
• Maintains an inventory of animal food, cleaning supplies, various chemicals and other shelter supplies.
• Maintains equipment in working condition, reports equipment or supply needs to supervisor.
• Maintains work and general areas in organized manner.
• Performs related tasks as required.

People Care:

• Assists the public in kennels when viewing animals for adoption, looking for a lost pet, reclaiming a lost pet, or dropping an animal off. Provides quality customer service by handling all interactions in a courteous and professional manner, showing compassion and empathy when needed.
• Cultivates positive client, volunteer, and coworker relations through professional, courteous, and educational interactions.
• Actively promotes shelter services, programs, and events.
• Works cooperatively with all volunteers, recognizing the talent and commitment they bring to the Shelter.
• Works effectively as part of a team to perform daily tasks and accomplish goals.
• Assists in training and mentoring Assistant Kennel Technicians in the performance of their job duties.
• Provides guidance to staff on shelter care in the absence of managers on the weekends.
• Provides input to Shelter Care Supervisor in creating and implementing policies and procedures as they pertain to assigned areas.
• Performs related tasks as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
General knowledge of basic animal care and identification of various animal species. Prefer knowledge of domestic animals including breeds, behavior, appropriate care and housing, common health problems, disease symptoms and handling techniques.
Minimum Education / Experience requirements
Education and Experience:
Requires graduation from high school or GED equivalent with at least of 1 year of experience working in an animal shelter setting or related animal care position. Holds a current certification for humane euthanasia which can be transferred or is willing to become certified for humane euthanasia within 6 months of employment. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience may be considered.
Special Requirements:
Must have or obtain NC Drivers' License with acceptable driving record.
Physical Requirements:
This work is performed in an office and shelter setting. Tasks involve the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing but typically also involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling and the lifting, carrying pushing and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 100 pounds with assistance). Requires the ability to perform coordinated movements. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate color, sound, odor, visual perception and oral communication. Tasks may risk exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as disease, noise, odors, wetness and toxic chemicals.
Supplemental Information
Supplemental and Contact Information:
Cabarrus County selects applicants for employment based on job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or political influence.
Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. Applicants who obtained their education outside of the United States and its territories are expected to assume responsibility for having their academic degrees validated as equivalent to a degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted.
If multiple applications are submitted to an individual position, only the most recent application received prior to the posting closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone.To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Processing applications will take an average of 6 - 8 weeks due to the high volume of applications received. It is not necessary to contact the Human Resources Office to check the status of an application. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the most qualified applicants.
For technical issues with your applications, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact HR at 704-920-2200.

• Earned vacation & sick leave
• 11-12 paid holidays per year
• Floating Holiday
• Paid Personal Day
• Bereavement Leave
• Paid Parental Bonding Leave

• Participation in the Local Government Employees Retirement System
  • Mandatory 6% employee contribution

• 5% employer-paid contribution to NC401K, with no employee match required
  • Employees have the option to contribute additional monies to the NC401K plan or to a 457 retirement savings plan

• Health Insurance plans
  • Consumer driven plan including a health savings account
  • PPO Plan
  • Optional dependent coverage - employee/spouse, employee/children, & employee/family

• Comprehensive health & wellness program
  • On-site exercise equipment & programs
  • Health & wellness themed instructional classes
  • Employee health clinic
  • Employee assistance program (ex. Individual & family counseling, legal & financial services, child & elder care location assistance, etc.)

• Choice of optional dental plans
  • PPO (Preferred Provider Option) or non-PPO
  • Optional dependent coverage - employee/spouse, employee/children, & employee/family

• Vision Plan
  • Includes an annual routine eye exam for individuals on the health insurance plan.
  • Optional eyewear plan available

• $20,000 of term life insurance & accidental death & dismemberment coverage with employer-paid premiums
  • Employee option for up to $50,000 of additional term life coverage

• Optional dependent life insurance coverage for spouses & children

01
I understand in order to be qualified for this position, the description of my work experience must clearly reflect the required education and experience as well as the posted knowledge, skills and abilities for this position. I have included all of this information within my application. (If you haven't completed the application requirements, please return to your application to finish it before submitting your application.) Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit.

• Yes
• No

02
What is the highest level of education completed?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

03
You must be over the age of 18 to work at Cabarrus County Animal Shelter. Are you over the age of 18?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you have at least 1 year of experience working in an animal shelter? If so, experience must be reflected within the work experience section of your application.

• Yes
• No

06
Do you have a minimum of 2 years of professional experience in related animal care?

• Yes
• No

07
Do your possess a humane euthanasia certification?

• Yes
• No

08
Please list your days and hours of availability for work.
09
This position requires working evenings, weekends and holidays. Are you able to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

Required Question