How to hire an animal shelter worker

How to hire an animal shelter worker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step animal shelter worker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an animal shelter worker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new animal shelter worker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an animal shelter worker, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect animal shelter worker also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of animal shelter worker salaries for various roles:

   Type of Animal Shelter Worker	Description	Hourly rate
   Animal Shelter Worker	Animal care and service workers provide care for animals. They feed, groom, bathe, and exercise pets and other nonfarm animals... Show more	$10-23
   Cosmetologist	A cosmetologist specializes in offering various services ranging from haircuts, makeup, skin and hair treatments, manicures, pedicures, and even shaving beards. They must have extensive knowledge and experience on the subject, plus keep up with current trends... Show more	$12-25
   Pet Groomer	A pet groomer typically works with pets and other animals in pet grooming boutiques and pet stores. As a pet groomer, you will perform a few tasks that may include cleaning and taking care of pets such as dogs, maintaining the cleanliness of the work area for the next client, and working with the cash registers... Show more	$10-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Crisis Intervention
   • Mental Health
   • Direct Care
   • Emergency Shelter
   • Client Intake
   • Community Resources
   • HMIS
   • Front Desk
   • Incident Reports
   • Substance Abuse
   • Conflict Resolution
   • Animal Handling
   • Domestic Violence
   • Crisis Management

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist in managing shelter for animals and arranging for adoption or euthanasia of confiscate animals.
   • Maintain an aquatic system of zebrafish and rotifers.
   • Assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants in providing the best care possible for patients.
   • Milk animals such as cows and goats, by hand or using milking machines.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your animal shelter worker job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An animal shelter worker salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, animal shelter workers' average salary in tennessee is 44% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level animal shelter workers earn 55% less than senior-level animal shelter workers.
   • Certifications. An animal shelter worker with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an animal shelter worker's salary.

   Average animal shelter worker salary

   $15.87hourly

   $33,011 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level animal shelter worker salary

   $22,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing an animal shelter worker job description

   An animal shelter worker job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of an animal shelter worker job description:

   Animal shelter worker job description example

   *What makes us different?*
   
   The Workforce Group (WFG) is a *Great Place to Work -Certified company*. We are a team of dedicated professionals that pull together to meet the needs of communities after disasters hit partnering with federal, state, and local governments.
   
   *Culture that makes a difference: *
   
   _Teamwork and partnership_
   
   We listen to our teams, whether in the field or in the corporate office, to deliver exceptional results to our clients and communities.
   
   *Location: Western side of the State of Florida - locations are TBD*
   
   Individuals that will be supporting shelter activities including serving as a screener, registration, and meal services.
   
   Position Summary:
   
   * Candidates will be responsible for supporting shelter operations Screening evacuees
   Registering evacuees
   Delivering meals during meal period
   * Is knowledgeable about Program policies and helps develop standard operating procedures
   * Exercise discretion and good judgment with respect to day-to-day management
   * Other tasks as directed
   
   Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
   
   * Ability to assess problems and develop solutions in a live, fast-paced environment
   * Demonstrates excellent customer service and teamwork.
   * Ability to react promptly and efficiently to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines with excellent customer service
   * Strong oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and teamwork ability
   
   *Requirements: *
   
   * High school diploma required, bachelors degree preferred
   * At least one (1) years of customer service in a fast paced environment
   * Ability to pass the State of Florida level II background check
   
   *Desired Additional Qualifications: *
   
   * Emergency shelter experience
   
   *The Workforce Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Vets and Disabled*
   
   We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate in hiring based on sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
   
   Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from Human Resources.
   
   Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
   
   Pay: From $25.00 per hour
   
   Schedule:
   * 12 hour shift
   * Overtime
   * Weekend availability
   
   Application Question(s):
   * Are you able to work 12 hour shifts?
   
   Education:
   * High school or equivalent (Preferred)
   
   Work Location: One location

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find animal shelter workers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your animal shelter worker job on Zippia to find and recruit animal shelter worker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit animal shelter workers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new animal shelter worker

   Once you've decided on a perfect animal shelter worker candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new animal shelter worker. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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