Animal Care & Placement Specialist (FT)

Animal Care & Placement Specialist - Full-Time

APA! BACKGROUND: Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of Austin’s most dynamic and beloved nonprofits. The organization leads the No Kill movement nationally and is considered a national thought leader in animal welfare. APA! locally rescues, treats, and adopts thousands of homeless dogs and cats each year, providing a critical safety net for some of the region’s most at-risk shelter pets and helping Austin remain a No Kill city. APA! also works alongside communities and animal welfare organizations to expand lifesaving capacity beyond Austin.

The organization is distinguished by its large volunteer workforce, grassroots spirit, and innovative, community-based approach to animal welfare. APA! continues to develop and share lifesaving best practices nationally through American Pets Alive!, its national division. American Pets Alive! also leads Human Animal Support Services (HASS), an initiative focused on rethinking traditional animal sheltering by supporting people and pets within their communities, reducing unnecessary shelter intake, and strengthening collaboration between animal welfare organizations and community-based services.

OUR EXPANDING WORK IN HAYS COUNTY: APA! is building upon this community-centered approach through an exciting partnership initiative in Hays County. Through Hays County Pets Alive!, a locally led and operated initiative launched by Austin Pets Alive!, APA! is working in partnership with PAWS Shelter of Central Texas to strengthen lifesaving programs, expand resources for pets and the people who love them, and build greater animal welfare capacity across Hays County.

PAWS Shelter of Central Texas has served Dripping Springs, Kyle, and surrounding communities for decades, providing no-kill sheltering and compassionate care for homeless pets. This partnership brings together PAWS' longstanding connection to the Hays County community with APA!’s lifesaving programs, resources, and experience to support the continued growth of animal welfare services throughout the region.

Team members supporting this work may have the opportunity to collaborate across Austin Pets Alive!, PAWS Shelter of Central Texas, and Hays County Pets Alive! as these organizations and initiatives work together toward shared lifesaving goals.

Learn more about PAWS Shelter of Central Texas at pawsshelter.org.

BRIEF POSITION SUMMARY/OVERVIEW: 

The Animal Care & Placement Specialist plays a key role in advancing the goals of APA!’s intake-to-placement programs, with a focus on both animal care and customer service at the PAWS Kyle location. This position contributes directly to APA!’s mission to increase the live release rate across Texas by supporting a sustainable, inclusive, and high-impact model for shelter operations. You will care for animals, get to know them as individuals, help visitors and potential adopters connect with the right animals, and follow through on the things each animal needs to succeed.

The Animal Care & Placement Specialist is responsible for managing their daily responsibilities, maintaining clear priorities, and delivering consistent, high-quality work that aligns with APA!’s values and goals. This includes staying organized, using data or feedback to inform decisions, and following through on key tasks and responsibilities with minimal oversight. This is a hands-on, mission-driven role focused on results, reliability, and teamwork.

APA! is a volunteer-powered organization, so every staff member is expected to work alongside and support volunteers. The Animal Care & Placement Specialist collaborates closely with volunteers to complete day-to-day tasks, helps create a positive and inclusive environment, and actively contributes to a culture of shared effort and mutual respect.

This position involves shift flexibility, weekend hours, and high responsiveness.

Every individual at APA! is responsible for working in collaboration with volunteers; making sure volunteers are recruited, trained and feel impactful through their efforts at APA!. A core part of this role is creating a welcoming and empowering experience for volunteers, including assisting with onboarding, training, and volunteer engagement as part of the day-to-day workflow.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Feed, water, and clean living spaces for cats and dogs daily according to shelter protocols
• Monitor animals for signs of illness, injury, or behavioral changes per APA protocol
• Provide enrichment, exercise, and socialization for animals in care
• Help animals become more comfortable, socialized, and prepared for placement
• Make sure important information about an animal is communicated according to SOPs
• Help identify animals who have stalled in the shelter and brainstorm practical ways to help them move forward
• Greet and welcome potential adopters, and match them with well-suited animals
• Practice an approach that removes unnecessary adoption barriers, replaces judgment with open conversations, and focuses on helping people and pets succeed together
• Walk adopters through animal history, behavior notes, and care requirements
• Process administrative documents, applications, paperwork, and fees
• Conduct follow-up communication with new adopters as needed
• Promote adoptable animals through in-person interactions, photos, or social media support
• Actively contribute to a volunteer-powered culture by partnering with volunteers during every shift and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment
• Work alongside volunteers to complete daily tasks, ensuring the work is shared and collaborative—not siloed
• Support the recruitment and onboarding process by welcoming new volunteers and helping them get oriented to the program
• Help retain volunteers by offering encouragement, guidance, and feedback during shared work
• Recommend strong volunteers for deeper involvement or specialized roles to your supervisor or volunteer manager
• Contribute to a positive culture by recognizing volunteer contributions through appreciation, gratitude, and shoutouts
• Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks, providing hands-on guidance, and offering in-the-moment support
• Job duties may include some or all of the above, and other duties as assigned by manager

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Must demonstrate dependability, accountability, time management, use of reasoning, and good judgment skills
• Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings
• Maintain open and consistent communication with supervisor and other colleagues
• Partner with Volunteer Managers to learn about the volunteer programs and support volunteers interested in your department on an ongoing basis
• Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
• Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
• Able to work in a high-volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment
• Comfortable working autonomously when given goals and deadlines

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, & EXPECTATIONS:

• Committed to embodying APA!’s Core Values: Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, and Inclusion and cultural values: Humble, Hungry, Smart
• Commitment to APA!'s customer experience expectations
• Passion for working well with staff, volunteers, and customers—helping all individuals feel successful, appreciated, and connected to APA!’s mission
• Strong commitment to volunteer engagement and support; dedicated to working well with volunteers across all roles
• Comfortable working cross-functionally and serving as a liaison between volunteers, customers, and team members
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interpret rules, procedures, and instructional materials
• Self-starter with strong time management; able to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent interpersonal skills; maintains a calm and professional presence in all situations
• Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality
• Adaptable to change and able to perform related duties as needed
• Dedicated to delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to routinely lift 40-50 pounds
• Must be able to work around animals (including diseased, injured, and/or potentially aggressive animals), loud noises, chlorine or other chemicals, and inclement weather
• Must be able to comfortably interact with cats/dogs of various health levels, including cats who may carry zoonotic diseases such as ringworm, scabies, intestinal parasites, etc.
• Must be able to walk big dogs that pull and jump 
• Able to be on your feet for multiple hours of the day
• Must be able to visually observe people and animals from up to 150 feet away                     
• Ability to hear normal speech at close contact and shouting up to 150 feet away with the ability to hear and discern dog vocalizations both soft and loud
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• If reasonable accommodations are requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship to the organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• Possible exposure to contagious diseases
• Rapid pace with exposure to potential hazards including animal waste, disinfectants, and high levels of noise
• Occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required to support program needs

TIME COMMITMENT: 

• This is a full-time, nonexempt position with an average of 40 hours per week
• Shift and schedule flexibility is required, as weekly schedule is subject to change
• Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed

PAY:

This position starts at $17/hr. Eligible employees will be able to receive up to $2/hr stipend within approximately 6 months through successful completion of internal APATec certifications (applicable to shelter operations, customer service, and medical roles). *Certifications and stipends are discretionary and subject to change based on business need.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: This position reports directly to the PAWS Shelter Director & Manager, currently Mara Hartsell, or another individual designated by APA!.

LOCATION(S): 

• PAWS Kyle, 500 FM 150 East, Kyle, TX 78640
• May travel to offsite locations as needed

BENEFITS:  

Austin Pets Alive! is proud to offer a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, including subsidized employer-sponsored medical coverage, subsidized and voluntary life insurance, voluntary dental, vision and short-term disability options, all effective the first day of employment. We also offer voluntary wellness and emergency sick plans, up to 2% match on 401(K) retirement plan, supplemental benefits, flexible spending accounts and additional life coverage. Full-time employees receive 10 paid holidays and accrue 10 days paid time off during the first year of employment, with an additional 5 days of PTO accrual upon completion of 12 months of employment.  Employees will also receive professional development opportunities through APA!’s ongoing mission to advance our animal welfare professionals in our life-saving work.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT

Austin Pets Alive! is an equal employment opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by the issues we engage on. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ people, women, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply. 

Austin Pets Alive! does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Austin Pets Alive! is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, community focus, and innovation.

APA! is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process. To request an accommodation, please contact Talent Acquisition at job@austinpetsalive.org  at least one week in advance of your interview.