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Humane Society Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

San Diego Humane Society

Veterinarian

San Diego, CA · On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

San Diego Humane Society provides vital services to animals and people by sheltering and adopting animals, investigating animal cruelty and neglect, inspiring compassion in people through education ...

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$13

$19

$29

How much do humane society jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for humane society in California is $19.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $21.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the Humane Society?

The Humane Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare and preventing cruelty to animals. It operates animal shelters, provides rescue and adoption services, advocates for stronger animal protection laws, and educates the public about responsible pet ownership. Humane Societies may also offer spay/neuter programs, veterinary care, and disaster response for animals in need. Their goal is to ensure the well-being and humane treatment of all animals.

What skills and qualifications are needed to work at the Humane Society?

To thrive as a Humane Society worker, you need a background in animal care, knowledge of animal welfare laws, and often a relevant degree or certification in veterinary technology, animal science, or a related field. Familiarity with shelter management software, basic medical equipment for animals, and animal handling tools is typically required. Compassion, strong communication, and problem-solving skills are vital for interacting with animals, colleagues, and the public. These abilities ensure the well-being of the animals, effective community outreach, and smooth shelter operations.

What challenges do Humane Society workers face and how can they manage them?

Employees at a Humane Society often encounter emotionally challenging situations, such as caring for neglected or abused animals and interacting with distressed pet owners. Managing compassion fatigue while maintaining a high standard of animal care can be demanding. Building strong teamwork, accessing support resources, and practicing self-care are essential strategies for coping with these challenges. Many organizations offer training and counseling to help staff develop resilience and maintain a positive work environment.

What is the difference between Humane Society vs Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectHumane SocietyAnimal Shelter Worker
CredentialsMay require animal care certifications, background checksHigh school diploma, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organization, community outreach, administrative tasksAnimal care facilities, hands-on animal handling
Employer & IndustryNonprofits focused on animal welfareMunicipal or private shelters

Humane Society organizations often focus on broader animal welfare initiatives, advocacy, and community education, while Animal Shelter Workers primarily handle daily care and intake of animals in shelters. Both roles involve caring for animals, but the Humane Society may also engage in outreach and policy work, whereas Shelter Workers focus on direct animal care and shelter operations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Humane Society jobs in California?

The most popular types of Humane Society jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Humane Society jobs in California?

For Humane Society jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Humane Society jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Humane Society jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Humane Society jobs?

Cities in California with the most Humane Society job openings:

Humane Society jobs near you
Infographic showing various Humane Society job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,447 per year, or $19.9 per hour.

Lieutenant, Humane Law Enforcement

San Diego, CA • On-site

San Diego Humane Society
Non-Profits • 501 - 1,000 employees

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Respectful managers

Learn more about San Diego Humane Societyexternal

$85K - $106K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

San Diego Humane Society is hiring a Full-Time Lieutenant for our Humane Law Enforcement team!
How you'll impact our mission:
At San Diego Humane Society, we're united by our mission to Inspire Compassion, providing hope and advancing the welfare of animals and people.
In this role, you'll be responsible for direct oversight and operation management of the San Diego Humane Society's Humane Law Enforcement (HLE) Officers and Sergeants. You'll support our mission by effectively coordinating with other departments who provide essential support services such as Campus Operations, Community Engagement, Veterinary Care, Volunteer Engagement, Facilities, and Philanthropy.
This role delivers service at the gold standard level in alignment with the SDHS Way, to meet the needs of animals and the people who love them by leading with compassion, finding creative solutions, providing personalized care and building connections. If you're passionate about making an impact in the animal welfare movement, we'd love to talk to you.
What's in it for you?
At SDHS, we're proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and commit to being a place where every person - staff, volunteer, and guest - can feel a sense of belonging. We support and invest in employees through conscious delivery of benefits and a workplace environment based on our Core Values.
As an employee you'll enjoy:
  • Competitive pay and paid time-off (including your Birthday Day Off!)
  • Comprehensive benefits package, training and well-being programs
  • 403(b) retirement plan with 5% match after 1 year
  • Free pet adoptions, pet vaccines and spay/neuter services
  • ...and so much more!

What you'll do:
  • Participate in investigation of reported cruelty cases, witness interviews, suspect interrogations, preparation and execution of search and seizure warrants, managing evidence and chain of custody protocols, educational outreach programs and report writing.
  • Lead by example by demonstrating and advocating for San Diego Humane Society core values and work consistently to encourage and develop direct reports to do the same. Bring unity and cohesiveness to teams, ad hoc work groups, task forces, and other interdepartmental collaborations.
  • Work with direct reports to plan, direct, organize, implement and evaluate processes, services, activities and procedures on an ongoing basis.
  • Manage employee issues for all areas of responsibility, including motivating and developing teams, evaluating performance and providing feedback, implementing and enforcing policies, and carrying out disciplinary actions.
  • Enthusiastically assist the public and other staff in all SDHS programs and special events. Motivate and assist in leading a high-performance team; attract, recruit, develop and retain team members.
  • Lead a continuous quality improvement process, focusing on systems/process improvement. Utilize data to identify strengths and opportunities. Promote regular and ongoing opportunities for all staff to give feedback on department operations. Ensure alignment within the department.
  • Work closely with other operations leadership at all campuses regarding the necessary care requirements for animals held for cruelty cases.
  • Work with the Fleet and Resource Managers to ensure that vehicles assigned to HLE are well maintained, properly equipped and remain current for legally transporting animals.

What we're looking for:
  • Must have a bachelor's degree in in Administration of Justice, Animal Science, Zoology or related field.
  • Must have a minimum of four (4) years of full time progressively responsible related experience in animal control or animal services within an animal welfare organization, including investigations experience, with one (1) year of supervisory experience, or an equivalent combination of related experience and education. Multi-location management experience preferred.
  • Must successfully complete Peace Officer Standards and Training, 832 and CA state-approved humane academy and satisfy the requirements of Section 1029, 1030, and 1031 of the Government Code within one year of employment.
  • Must be willing to be vaccinated against tetanus, Hepatitis C, rabies or other diseases as deemed appropriate by the SDHS for the health and safety of the employee and others.
  • Must have a valid driver's license and be approved by SDHS insurance carrier to drive a company or personal vehicle for work purposes.

Candidates must pass a full background check, medical exam and drug screening post offer.
Location: Based at our San Diego Campus, with expected travel to all campuses and across San Diego County.
Pay: Starting range is between $85,068 - $106,335 per year.
The listed hiring range for this position depicts the target range of pay rates for candidates. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. Compensation for internal candidates may increase beyond the listed range based on performance over time. For all candidates, the actual starting pay rate is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to your years of related education and experience, internal pay equity, and position location.
To learn more about our benefits and perks, click here.

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