Janitorial & Cleaning Assistant

Cleaning Assistant (Part-Time)

Help Create a Clean, Safe Environment for Animals in Need

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) is seeking a dependable, detail-oriented Cleaning Assistant to support the daily operations of our shelter. This position plays a critical role in maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment for the animals in our care while supporting the teams and volunteers who help them every day. If you take pride in keeping spaces clean and organized, enjoy staying active throughout your workday, and want to contribute to a mission that improves the lives of animals, this may be the perfect opportunity for you.

Your Role

As a Cleaning Assistant, you will be responsible for maintaining high standards of cleanliness and disease prevention throughout the shelter. Your work directly supports animal health and welfare by helping reduce the spread of illness and ensuring that animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors have a safe and welcoming environment. This position focuses on facility cleaning and disinfection, laundry services, dishwashing and sanitation, supply organization, and supporting the shelter's disease control efforts. Success in this role requires attention to detail, consistency, and the ability to work independently while following established protocols.

What You'll Do

You will assist with routine cleaning and disinfection of kennels, carriers, floors, walls, windows, doors, and other shelter areas by following established disease control protocols. You will help ensure that animal housing and common areas remain clean, sanitary, and safe. You will wash, sanitize, organize, and properly store dishes and feeding supplies used throughout the shelter while maintaining cleanliness and organization in dishwashing areas. Laundry responsibilities include washing, drying, folding, and organizing bedding, towels, and other shelter laundry while maintaining a clean and organized laundry room.

You will support disease prevention efforts by cleaning and disinfecting grooming tools, grooming areas, and other assigned equipment according to established protocols. Additional responsibilities include restocking supplies, maintaining organized workspaces, reporting inventory needs to supervisors, and assisting with general cleaning tasks throughout the facility. As a representative of the ARL, you will interact professionally and courteously with staff, volunteers, adopters, and visitors while helping support the organization's mission and values.

What You Bring

High school diploma or GED required. The ideal candidate is dependable, organized, and able to maintain attention to detail while working independently. Previous custodial, housekeeping, janitorial, cleaning, animal care, kennel, or related experience is helpful but not required. Successful candidates will demonstrate initiative, adaptability, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. You should be comfortable following established procedures, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining cleanliness standards throughout your shift.

Why Join the ARL?

At the ARL, every role contributes to improving the lives of animals. While this position works primarily behind the scenes, the impact is significant. Clean kennels, sanitized equipment, fresh bedding, and organized workspaces are essential to animal health, comfort, and overall shelter operations. As a Cleaning Assistant, your work helps create an environment where animals can thrive while they await their forever homes.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

This is an active position that requires frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, and cleaning throughout the workday. Candidates must be able to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds. Work may involve exposure to pet dander, animal waste, cleaning products, strong odors, moderate noise levels, contagious animal diseases, and the possibility of animal bites or scratches. Occasional outdoor work may be required in varying weather conditions.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state regulations, the ARL provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages applicants to discuss accommodation needs during the hiring process.