Relief Animal Caretaker

Job Description

Job Description

American Humane Society (AHS) is seeking a part-time, independent contractor to serve as an  Animal Caretaker (Caretaker) at its Sanctuary. This position will be based on-site at the AHS Sanctuary in Palm City, FL and reports directly to the Director, Sanctuary & Military Affairs Programming. 

For nearly 150 years, American Humane Society (AHS) has led the way in protecting animals and strengthening the bonds between animals and people. We respond first when animals need rescue, shelter, or protection. Through our groundbreaking programs – from our “No Animals Were Harmed®” certification in Hollywood to our farm and conservation welfare standards – we set the highest level of care and compassion in animal protection. 

Working with AHS means being part of something bigger. With offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Palm Beach, we provide a supportive, professional environment where your work makes a real difference in animals’ lives.  American Humane Society is committed to fostering a welcoming workplace. As we seek to fill this position, we highly encourage high-performing applicants from all backgrounds to apply. 

Position summary:   

The part-time Relief Animal   Caretaker supports animal care staff with day-to-day upkeep of the property and all animal residents of the Sanctuary.  The Caretaker, reporting to the Director, Sanctuary & Military Affairs Programming (Director) and working in close collaboration with the full-time Caretaker and Chief Veterinary Officer & Animal Ethicist (CVO), is responsible for ensuring the welfare, safety and proper care of animals residing on the property, whether their stay is short- or long-term, as well as ensuring the property remains in good condition.  Daily animal care duties include cleaning, feeding, grooming, administration of veterinary medications and treatments, providing enrichment, etc. for a variety of animals including horses, dogs, birds and other species yet to be determined.  Property care includes performing basic maintenance and communicating with vendors doing work at the property. 

Responsibilities: 

Animal Care & Husbandry:  

• Provide appropriate quantity and quality of food and water to animals daily.  

• Ensure animals are properly groomed, bathed, exercised, and provided with enrichment as appropriate.  

• Monitor animals, noting any eating, drinking, health, behavior or temperament changes and report concerns to the Sanctuary Director to discuss any issues.  

• Follow all veterinary care instructions and recommendations.  

• Ensure stress and disease risk are minimized by following best husbandry practices on housing and caring for animals.  

• Follow established disease control protocols to extensively clean, disinfect and maintain kennels, cages, stalls, and other areas of the Sanctuary.  

• Administer basic first aid to any animal’s minor wounds as needed following the guidance of onsite Horse Care SOP’s, Birds Care SOP’s and Kennel Protocols.  

• Maintain detailed records on the daily husbandry and medical care of each animal.  

Facility & Property Maintenance:  

• Regularly walk the property and keep an eye on things to ensure any issues are addressed or taken care of in a timely manner.   

• Perform basic, routine maintenance work, which could include things like clearing brush, mending fences, shoveling manure, etc.  

• Keep leadership apprised of work being done on site, flagging any issues or communicating decisions that need to be made, particularly about things that may have short- or long-term impact on animal health and welfare.  

• Ensure the facility remains stocked with all necessary inventory, informing management of any low supplies   

Collaboration & Communication: 

• Ensure a safe work environment, follow safety guidelines and model safe work practices; take immediate action to remedy or address any safety issues.  

• Ensure the Sanctuary facility meets American Humane Certified Animal Welfare Standards, as they pertain to species residing permanently or temporarily at the property. 

Essential experience, knowledge, skills and abilities: 

• High school diploma or equivalent experience required. Associate’s or Bachelor’s level degree in animal science, biological sciences or other relevant degree, preferred 

• Licensed Animal Care Technician or equivalent experience strongly desired but not required 

• General knowledge of animal behavior, husbandry, and care is important, equine experience required, bird care and dog kennel experience desired  

• Proven knowledge and experience to safely implement and carry out care-related animal husbandry best practices for all species of animals residing at the Sanctuary 

• Skills assessing animals such as whether they are alert and responsive or not acting normally as well as taking their temperature, pulse, and respiration rate 

• Ability to administer medications via mouth and/or injection, eye and nasal medications, clean wounds, and change bandages 

• Ability to check vital signs against previous assessments and report significant differences. Administer a cursory physical examination to assess general health including the condition of the animal’s teeth 

• Basic maintenance skills and ability to troubleshoot property issues before they become major problems 

• Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful or emergency situations 

• Effectively prioritize workload and need 

• Ability to effectively work with a variety of people in different situations 

• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills 

• Always maintain professional demeanor 

• Handle confidential information with a high level of discretion 

• Use sound judgement; able to problem-solve quickly and independently 

• Ability to collaborate effectively and work as part of a team 

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, in particular Outlook for email and scheduling, and Excel for record keeping. 

• Ability to learn new technology and enter and track information in a database 

Direct reports: 

• None 

Physical demands and work environment:   

• Position will be based out of American Humane Society’s Sanctuary facility in Palm City, FL.  Work is expected to be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for up to 30 hours. Schedule and hours per day are flexible. 

• Must be able to lift up to 50lbs and carry 30lbs as needed for animal care and property management 

• Must be able to bend, lift, push, pull, stoop, kneel, reach, manual dexterity, etc. in order to perform daily animal care needs 

• Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with staff, volunteers, vendors, and animals 

• Possible exposure to animal hazards such as dog bites and zoonotic diseases 

• May require immunization against Hepatitis A&B, Rabies and Tetanus  

• Must have valid driver’s license and clean driving record 

• May be required to submit to pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment 

American Humane Society’s core values define our workplace, and these values serve as the cornerstone for interactions in advancing our mission and institutional goals. Contractors are expected to adhere to all organizational policies and to act as role models, demonstrating American Humane Society’s core values:   

• Compassion – Being kind and caring in our interactions with others.  

• Accountability - Holding ourselves to the highest standards. Following through on commitments and owning our actions, behavior, and decisions.  

• Respect for All – Being professional, listening to others and honoring diversity in all its forms.  

• Loyalty to Mission – Staying focused on our purpose and our mission – our nation’s most vulnerable depend on us.  

• Sustainability - Contributing to being a great place to work and achieving our shared mission and goals to make a difference, now and in the future.  

• Honesty, Integrity, Trust – Demonstrating transparency, trusted stewards of donor resources, supporting our leadership and one another.  

American Humane Society (AHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to fostering a welcoming, supportive workplace where our work makes a real difference in animals' lives.  

Job Details: 

• Title: Part-Time Sanctuary Animal Caretaker   

• Type: Hourly, Independent Contractor  

• Location: Palm City, FL 

• Compensation: $20-$25 per hour 

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