Wellness Specialist (Animal Shelter Enrichment)

Job Description

Job Description

Wellness Specialist

Reports to the Behavior and Training Manager

Join the Team at Cincinnati Animal CARE

At Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC), we do work that matters.

Every day, our team protects animals, supports our community, and helps save thousands of lives each year through compassionate care, advocacy, and education.

This work is meaningful, fast-paced, and can be challenging, but for the right person, it’s incredibly rewarding.

We are a team built for impact, made up of people who care deeply, work hard, support one another, and show up every day committed to making a difference.

If you are passionate about animals, thrive in a mission-driven environment, and want your work to have purpose, we’d love to have you join us.

About the Role

We are looking for a Wellness Specialist to join our team and play an important role in supporting CAC’s mission.

In this position, you will:

• Maintain the mental and physical wellness of the dogs in our care by executing the wellness and enrichment plan. 

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys meaningful work, takes pride in helping others, and wants to contribute to a growing organization making a real impact in the community.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Your day-to-day may include:

• Conduct walkthroughs to identify and address deterioration-related issues and provide solutions and intervention in real-time.
• Maintain and oversee the execution of care and enrichment plans for all dogs in care, including individualized plans for those experiencing severely low quality of life. 
• Prepare and distribute daily enrichment items.
• Run or assist with playgroups for our dog-social populations, ensuring that every eligible dog gets out daily. 
• Create individualized enrichment plans for dogs who are not eligible for playgroups. 
• Handle dogs in our Reactive, Anxious and Drivey (RAD) training program, ensuring they receive basic training to best prepare them for home and placement. 
• Attend Weekly Intervention Meetings to identify dogs with quality of life or adoption barriers, and implement any placement plans. 
• Lead training sessions for new staff and volunteers on dog handling and safety procedures, ensuring everyone is equipped with the knowledge to manage dogs safely and effectively.
• Work collaboratively to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, and animals by providing guidance on proper handling techniques.
• Assist in maintaining dog records, including adding wellness and behavior notes daily to appropriate shelter software systems as well as updating department spreadsheets.
• Maintain organization and cleanliness of the Enrichment Room and preparation spaces, as well as communicating concerns about cleanliness or animal safety (related to cleanliness) to other departments as it impacts animal wellness. 
• Assist in the maintenance of equipment, building, grounds and supplies as they relate to enrichment activities and spaces. 
• Assist with other department duties and responsibilities as needed to ensure the standard level of care is met for every animal in care. 
• May assist with transport rescue or partner clinics as needed.
• Perform any other animal care and shelter duties as directed.
• Supporting additional organizational needs as they arise 

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about CAC’s mission and animal welfare 
• Brings a positive, team-first attitude 
• Communicates openly and professionally 
• Takes ownership and solves problems proactively 
• Thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment 
• Can balance compassion with accountability 
• Is dependable, adaptable, and eager to learn 

Qualifications

Preferred/Required:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum six (6) months experience (2 years preferred) working with animals in a shelter, clinic, or boarding facility preferred. 
• Have obtained or able to obtain (within 90 days) CAC training on Dog Shows, Playgroups, Defensive Dog Handling, and Dog Levels (Green through Yellow)
• Register and attend the Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL)  “The Why, What, and How” live Webinar within 90 days. 
• Complete “Fear Free - Shelter” Certification within 30 days. 
• Strong understanding of positive reinforcement training, animal behavior, and enrichment.
• Proficiency in and ability to keep accurate records in systems such as Google Drive, Sheets, and Docs.
• Ability to handle difficult situations, exercise sound judgment, and provide clear communication and guidance with tact and diplomacy. 
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with moderate to high noise levels and frequent exposure to unvetted animals.
• Ability to understand and adhere to policies, training and procedure, including adhering to supervisor directives.    
• Regular and consistent physical attendance. 
• Strong communication skills (written, spoken and listening) to maintain an exceptional experience for adopters, fosters, volunteers and donors, as well as to support operational efficiency and collaboration with team members.
• Valid Ohio driver’s license preferred. 

Why Join CAC?

At CAC, you’ll be part of more than just a workplace. You’ll join a team of people doing meaningful work together.

We offer:

• The opportunity to make a real difference every day 
• A mission-driven, supportive team culture 
• Growth and development opportunities 
• Competitive benefits package 
• A workplace where your work directly impacts animals and the community 

Compensation & Benefits

• Pay: Minimum pay of $17.83 after successful 90 day training period. $16.75 during training period. 
• Retirement plan with employer match 
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance 
• Paid Time Off 
• Professional Development Assistance 
• Life Insurance 

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• Exposure and handling unvetted animals and their waste is frequent.