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Summer Animal Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Naturalist

Rockville, MD · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

Plan and lead at least two week-long nature-based summer day camps. Provide daily care for the Nature Center's live native animal collection, including amphibians, reptiles and other animal ...

Naturalist

Rockville, MD · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

Plan and lead at least two week-long nature-based summer day camps. * Provide daily care for the Nature Center's live native animal collection, including amphibians, reptiles and other animal ...

Summer Animal information

See Reston, VA salary details

$8

$16

$23

How much do summer animal jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer animal in Reston, VA is $16.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.99 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a summer animal?

A Summer Animal job typically involves working with animals in a seasonal setting, such as at a zoo, farm, wildlife center, or pet care facility. Responsibilities may include feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal behavior, assisting visitors, and supporting animal care professionals. These roles are ideal for students or individuals interested in gaining hands-on experience with animals during the summer months.

What does a summer animal do?

A typical day for a Summer Animal Caretaker involves feeding and providing fresh water, cleaning enclosures or living spaces, monitoring animal health, and engaging in socialization or enrichment activities. You may assist with basic grooming, administer medications under supervision, and help with intake or adoption events as needed. Collaboration with other staff and volunteers is common, especially in larger shelters or facilities, and you might interact with the public when answering questions or giving tours. The pace can be fast during the summer due to increased animal intake, but the work is rewarding and offers valuable experience for those interested in animal welfare careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the summer animal position?

To thrive as a Summer Animal Caretaker, you need basic animal handling skills, knowledge of animal welfare, and preferably experience with pet care or volunteering at shelters. Familiarity with animal feeding schedules, cleaning protocols, and tracking systems such as care logs or shelter management software is valuable. Reliability, patience, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you excel in caring for animals and working with team members. These skills are essential for maintaining the animals' health, ensuring a safe environment, and supporting efficient shelter or facility operations during the busy summer season.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal jobs in Reston, VA?

The most popular types of Animal jobs in Reston, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Summer Animal jobs in Reston, VA?

For Summer Animal jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Summer Animal jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Summer Animal job openings:

Infographic showing various Summer Animal job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,374 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Volunteer Program Coordinator

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Alexandria, VA • On-site

$41K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 hours ago


Job description

Description

Responsible for supporting the management of the AWLA volunteer program, assisting with the coordination of AWLA community events, and supporting the successful operation of AWLA's Youth Programs. 

Requirements

  ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

This position is supervised by: Volunteer Program Manager


Compensation: $41,600 Annual ($20.00 per hour) 


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB INCLUDE:


Volunteer Program:

- Provide support to the Volunteer Program and AWLA volunteers

- Assist with recruiting and screening volunteers

- Coordinate and lead volunteer information sessions, trainings and workshops

- Build positive relationships with volunteers by assisting with volunteer appreciation efforts, fielding questions from volunteers and diffusing conflict between staff and volunteers as needed

- Enforce safety protocols and raise concerns about volunteers to the Volunteer Program Manager

- Coordinate and attend volunteer-related events and support community programs, with supervision, to ensure adequate staffing, preparation, and marketing

- Manage the scheduling of volunteer mentor trainings

- Assist with maintaining training materials to ensure they're up to date with current procedures

- Maintain and update the volunteer database to track volunteer engagement and hours


Event Coordination:

- As a member of the Volunteer team, coordinate and attend community events to ensure adequate staffing, preparation, and marketing for events


Humane Education:

- Assist the Youth Programs staff with summer camp and other youth activities as needed


Other Duties/Functions 

- Provide support to the AWLA's team effort, including, but not limited to

- Communicate regularly with supervisors and coworkers to ensure that they are aware of any issues pertinent to their areas of responsibility

- Participate in staff meetings to share ideas and suggestions 

- Participate and attend community outreach events in support of AWLA's mission

- Perform other duties as requested to ensure the internal and external well-being of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria


Position Specifications

Required:

- Minimum 1 year of experience working with volunteers

- Proven ability to handle multiple tasks in a busy workplace environment

- Understanding of humane care and treatment of animals

- Comfort with handling animals of all sizes

- Strong customer service skills and the ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times

- Strong computer and data entry skills

- Fluent in written and spoken English

- Weekend availability - 5 days per week, 8 hours per day, including at least one weekend day; Occasional flexibility in scheduling will be required

- A belief in the mission of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria


Preferred:

- Bachelor's degree

- Proficient with written and spoken Spanish

- Experience with positive reinforcement, fear-free animal behavior training and handling

- Experience working or volunteering in an animal shelter environment

- Valid Driver's License


Working Conditions:

- Indoors in a high-noise, air-conditioned/heated building, outdoors at shelter, or on location for various activities

- Equipment use includes use of PC, laser printer, copy machine, fax machine, telephone, power washer, industrial dish washing machine, washing machine, dryer, cleaning supplies, and cargo vans

- Work hours will vary

- Early morning, evening, weekend and holiday hours are required


MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND COMMUNICATION DEMANDS:

- Regular exposure to animals, cleaning chemicals, fumes, dust, animal feces, bites, scratches

- The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds

- The employee must frequently bend, grip and be flexible to do so

- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

- Ability to work around pet dander, dust and other allergens without issue

- Regularly required to stand and walk

- Strong data entry skills and the ability to maintain accurate records in Chameleon

- Requires working alone or with minimal supervision - must be self-motivated

- Requires patience and tact when working with difficult, emotional, or angry people

- Must have the ability to effectively communicate; verbally and written, over the phone and intercom, with a wide variety of both internal and external individuals, including the Directors, Managers, Coordinators, the staff, a volunteer workforce, partner organizations, donors, and private citizens

- Requires treating people and animals in a pleasant, courteous and professional manner

- Adherence to the AWLA's policies and philosophies


The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria pays the full insurance premiums for the employee. Insurance options are also available for spouses and families.


This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties required by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship.


The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, service in the military, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.

Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation and training.