Animal Care Coordinator

The Animal Care Coordinator (ACC) plays a vital role in the intake, care, and placement of animals at East Bay SPCA. This position is responsible for conducting initial behavioral and medical assessments of animals transferred into the organization, ensuring their well-being through routine husbandry and disease control, and supporting successful adoptions through thoughtful matchmaking and client engagement.  

The ACC provides professional, compassionate customer service to the public—including adoption counseling, facilitating redemptions, surrender evaluations, and foster appointments—and serves as a key point of contact for information on East Bay SPCA programs and services. This role also supports the ongoing health, behavior, and welfare of animals under the organization’s care. 

East Bay SPCA (EBSPCA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit committed to the welfare of dogs and cats in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our mission is to transform the lives of cats and dogs by enriching the human-animal bond through respected and accessible expertise. East Bay SPCA is one of the nation’s oldest humane organizations, in operation since 1874, and receives no funding from any national organizations. You can find more information about East Bay SPCA on our website at www.eastbayspca.org.  

Schedule: Thursday - Monday

Category: Full-time; Non-exempt  

Location: Dublin 

Reports to: Shelter Manager and Animal Care Lead Benefits: East Bay SPCA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and future of our employees. Medical and dental benefits are fully covered, along with optional vision coverage. Employees can plan for their future with a 401(K) Retirement Plan featuring a 3% company contribution, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. The company also provides generous paid time off, starting at 120 hours per year, increasing to 160 hours after 5 years, and 200 hours after 10 years, plus 80 paid holiday hours annually and an additional personal holiday after one year. Employees enjoy extra perks such as the Pets at Work Program, waived pet adoption fees, discounted veterinary care, behavior and training classes, up to $75/month public transit/vanpool commuter reimbursement, and various industry discounts, including Pet Food Express.                                                                                                                                            
 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform daily animal husbandry duties, including diet preparation, feeding, cleaning, and housebreaking for shelter animals
• Lead and participate in dog playgroups and implement individualized training plans developed by the Behavior and Training Department
• Perform initial physical exams and behavior evaluations of incoming cats and dogs
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date animal records (both paper and electronic) in an organized manner
• Provide excellent customer service during adoptions, returns, redemptions, surrenders, and foster appointments, as well as other public interactions
• Facilitate the adoption process by showing animals, counseling potential adopters, and completing adoption paperwork
• Evaluate owner-surrender cases and offer alternative solutions or resources in the best interest of the client and animal
• Educate the public on East Bay SPCA’s programs and services
• Prep and complete foster appointments as scheduled
• Communicate animal welfare concerns and recommendations (e.g., behavior plans, medical needs, foster placement, euthanasia) to supervisory staff
• Administer vaccines, treatments, medications, and perform antibody/antigen tests as needed
• Support and assist in the training of volunteers working within shelter operations
• Transport animals between East Bay SPCA campuses and off-site locations as needed (fleet vehicle provided; mileage reimbursement available for personal vehicle use)

Qualifications 

• Knowledge of domestic animal care, including breeds, behavior, proper housing, handling, and recognition of common health issues and symptoms
• Minimum one-year experience working with animals; Experience in an animal shelter setting highly desirable
• Proficiency in basic veterinary procedures (e.g., venipuncture, vaccination, oral medication administration) strongly desired
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to multitask effectively
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates compassion for animals and a commitment to humane treatment at all times
• Fear Free certified or knowledge of Fear Free techniques preferred
• Confident and competent in handling animals of varying sizes and temperaments
• Multilingual fluency desired
• Pre-employment background check and drug screening clearance required
• High school graduate or equivalent
• Reliable transportation, a valid CA driver’s license, and proof of insurance 

Working Conditions 

• Work is primarily performed in an animal shelter environment with exposure to detergents, cleaning products, wet and humid environments, and seasonal outdoor conditions
• Must be willing to work occasional irregular hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Animal contact and related injuries, including bites and scratches, may occur. Will occasionally handle sick, injured, and deceased animal
• Noise exposure varies and often includes uncontrolled barking and other animal vocalizations
• Animal waste contact, smells, and visual exposure are prevalent
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds frequently and occasionally lift to 75 pounds with assistance. Must be able to push and/or pull over 50 pounds occasionally
• Frequent standing, walking, typing, bending, twisting, crouching, kneeling, and stooping.