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Local Animal Rescue Jobs in Fontana, CA (NOW HIRING)

This role prepares appropriate reports and maintains close working partnerships with local law ... Coordinates with law enforcement agencies, wildlife agencies or rescue groups, Tribal Court or ...

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$10

$21

$28

How much do local animal rescue jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for local animal rescue in Fontana, CA is $21.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.60 and $25.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the most common challenges faced by team members in a local animal rescue organization?

Team members in local animal rescue organizations often encounter challenges such as managing the emotional aspects of caring for neglected or abused animals, handling unpredictable situations during rescues, and balancing a high workload with limited resources. Collaboration with veterinarians, volunteers, and local authorities is crucial to ensure animal welfare and successful rehoming. Additionally, adapting to fast-changing priorities and maintaining effective communication within the team are key to providing the best possible care for animals in need.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a Local Animal Rescue role, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Local Animal Rescue role, you need a solid understanding of animal care, handling techniques, and basic veterinary knowledge, often supported by relevant training or certifications in animal welfare. Familiarity with animal shelter management software, animal first aid, and rescue equipment is typically required. Compassion, resilience, and strong communication skills help you work effectively with animals, the public, and fellow team members. These abilities are crucial for ensuring animal safety, facilitating successful adoptions, and maintaining positive community relations.

Do animal rescues pay employees?

Animal rescue organizations may pay employees, especially those in full-time or specialized roles, but many rely on volunteers. Paid positions often require relevant experience, certifications, or skills in animal care and rescue operations.

What is the difference between Local Animal Rescue vs Animal Shelter Worker?

AspectLocal Animal RescueAnimal Shelter Worker
CredentialsMay require animal care certifications, CPR, first aidOften requires similar certifications, experience in animal handling
Work EnvironmentVaries from outdoor rescues to shelter settings, often on-callPrimarily shelter facilities, consistent indoor environment
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, rescue groups, community organizationsMunicipal shelters, private shelters, animal welfare organizations
Search & Comparison IntentRescue operations, emergency response, volunteer opportunitiesShelter operations, daily animal care, adoption processes

Both roles involve caring for animals, but Local Animal Rescue focuses on emergency and outdoor rescues, while Animal Shelter Workers primarily handle daily shelter operations. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right fit based on environment and responsibilities.

What are local animal rescues?

Local animal rescues are organizations or groups dedicated to saving, rehabilitating, and rehoming stray, abandoned, or abused animals within a specific community or region. They often work with shelters, foster volunteers, and veterinarians to provide medical care, foster homes, and adoption services. Unlike large national organizations, local rescues focus on the needs of animals in their immediate area, helping to reduce overpopulation and improve animal welfare at the community level.

How to get into animal rescue work?

To get into animal rescue work, volunteer at local shelters or rescue organizations to gain experience and understand the field. Many roles require compassion, basic animal care skills, and sometimes certifications such as pet first aid. Building connections and demonstrating commitment can help you transition into paid or more advanced positions in animal rescue.

What qualifications do you need to be an animal welfare officer?

To become an animal welfare officer, candidates typically need a relevant qualification such as a diploma or degree in animal science, veterinary technology, or a related field. Experience working with animals and knowledge of animal care regulations are also important, along with strong communication and problem-solving skills.

What qualifications do animal rescue jobs require?

Animal rescue jobs typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, along with experience working with animals. Skills such as animal handling, first aid certification, and knowledge of animal behavior are often preferred. Some positions may also require background checks and physical ability to handle animals and perform rescue tasks.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Rescue jobs in Fontana, CA? The most popular types of Animal Rescue jobs in Fontana, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Local Animal Rescue jobs in Fontana, CA? For Local Animal Rescue jobs in Fontana, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Local Animal Rescue jobs in Fontana, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Local Animal Rescue jobs in Fontana, CA are:
What cities near Fontana, CA are hiring for Local Animal Rescue jobs? Cities near Fontana, CA with the most Local Animal Rescue job openings:

Animal Resource Officer

San Manuel Casino

Highland, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Reporting to the Reservation Security Sergeant, the Animal Resource Officer is responsible for providing specialized protection to animals and wildlife on and off the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Reservation. This role prepares appropriate reports and maintains close working partnerships with local law enforcement and animal control agencies. This role delivers critical safety and security services in a courteous and professional manner and is involved with the enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations under the Tribal Government, Federal, and State of California codes (where applicable), securing an assigned area, conducting investigations, collecting evidence, and preparing appropriate reports. This is an armed role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.Provides the protection and care of domestic and wildlife animals on the YSMN Reservation and properties. Coordinates with law enforcement agencies, wildlife agencies or rescue groups, Tribal Court or Criminal Courts to ensure animals and wildlife are managed in accordance with the Nation's Animal Control Laws, California State Laws, and Federal Laws governing Animal Control or wildlife enforcement.
2.Ensures a safe and secure environment for animals under care by providing daily care and emergency medical assistance as required. Conducts routine maintenance of the kennel system and equipment while overseeing the proper use and control of authorized equipment, vehicles, and weapons.
3.Performs snake and hazardous animal sweeps at designated locations. Accompany Tribal Citizens during assignments involving events near or around potentially dangerous animals or wildlife.
4.Operates UAV Drones to conduct aerial patrols, wildlife monitoring, enterprise support, and emergency response as needed.
5.Performs specialized investigations and provides services for Tribal Citizens as required. Organizes and delivers community educational presentations and events to foster goodwill, strengthen the Tribe's positive image, and inform diverse audiences about the mission of the Animal Resource Team and wildlife on the San Manuel Reservation.
6.Performs other duties as assigned to support the ecient operation of the department.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • High School Diploma or GED is required.

  • Associate degree in criminal justice or a related field is preferred.

  • Minimum three (3) years of work or volunteer experience in civilian animal control, federal wildlife, or as a San Manuel Department of Public Safety (DPS) Public Safety Officer, security agency or related field is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA)

  • Must like animals and wildlife and demonstrate a genuine commitment to their protection and well-being.

  • Exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills are required.

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills are required for effective interaction and documentation.

  • Ability to handle and care for ill or injured animals.

  • Experience conducting investigations preferred.

  • Experience writing post-incident reports preferred.

  • Must be willing to work with and be exposed to a variety of animals or wildlife, including those that have been deceased.

  • Must be willing to euthanize a gravely injured animal or deploy lethal force against an aggressive animal to prevent great bodily injury including the preservation of human life.

  • Must be willing to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

  • Must be willing to be available in an on-call duty.

  • May be required to travel for training or to support Tribal needs.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS

  • At the discretion of the San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission, you may be required to obtain and maintain a gaming license.

  • As a condition of employment, candidates must be able to obtain and maintain the following once hired:

  • California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) Guard Card and Exposed Firearm Permit are required.

  • TASER certificate is required.

  • Recognized certification from a Humane Officer Academy or equivalent is required.

  • Euthanasia certification is required.

  • Chemical capture certification is required.

  • Certification in Canine First-Aid and AED-related training is required.

  • A valid Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substances Permit through the California Department of Veterinary Medical Board is required.

  • UAV (Unmanned Aviation Vehicle) Pilots/FAA license is required.

  • Expandable baton certification is optional.

  • CPR certification is required.

  • Authorized Driver: Role requires operation or driving of Tribe-owned vehicles or driving patron vehicles. A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record as determined by the insurance carrier is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/ WORKING CONDITIONS - ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and working environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

  • Primary work environment consists of outdoor areas, climate-controlled office setting, gaming, and a kennel facility.

  • Work requires travel to attend meetings, training, and conferences including community events, demonstrations, and events on or off San Manuel properties.

  • Incumbents may be required to work evening, weekend, and holiday shifts, and/or varying shifts.

  • Must be able to work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.

  • Strength sufficient to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects and/or move up to 100 pounds occasionally.

  • Minimal Sedentary work: involves sitting at times. Frequently operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.

  • Physical activities that apply to the essential functions of the position are balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

  • Hearing sufficient to hear conversational levels in person and over the telephone including radio transmissions.

  • Speech sufficient to make oneself heard and understood in person, in front of groups, in meetings, via videoconference and over the telephone.

  • Visual acuity that best describes the requirements of the position: The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; expansive reading; visual inspection of employees, visitors, or facility.

  • Mobility sufficient to safely move in an office environment, walk, stoop, bend, kneel, and enter, exit, and operate a motor vehicle during travel to promotional events, meetings, conferences, trade shows, and San Manuel properties.

  • Endurance sufficient to sit, walk and stand for extended periods, and maintain efficiency throughout the entire work shift and during extended work hours.

  • Physical ability to care for animals to include walking, picking up/carrying, bathing, feeding, picking up animal waste, cleaning kennels, and possibly separating aggressive animals.

  • The employee may be exposed to fumes, airborne particles including secondhand smoke, cleaning chemicals, zoonotic diseases, animal control-related scheduled narcotics, and bites or scratches from animals.

  • Will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions such as rain, wind, and cold and hot climates.

  • Must be able to maintain an acceptable level of physical condition.

  • Physically able to withstand the challenges of extensive walking, climbing, and descending numerous interior and external stairs, including multi-level building facilities

Reasonable accommodation will be made in compliance with all applicable law.

As one of the largest private employers in the Inland Empire, San Manuel deeply cares about the future, growth and well-being of its employees. Join our team today!