Senior Animal Care & Enrichment Specialist

Job Description: Senior Animal Care & Enrichment Specialist

Job Type: Full-Time Hourly, Non-Exempt

Salary Range: $37,000 - 42,000

Reports to: Senior Manager of Canine (or Feline) Lifesaving

Date: Updated July 2026

Summary/Objective:

Richmond Animal League is seeking a Senior Animal Care and Enrichment Specialist to join our team. The Senior ACES will provide care for shelter animals while serving as a lead member of the Animal Care Team. As the Senior ACES, your work and leadership will be critical to RAL’s mission to save animals’ lives and address the issue of homeless pets.

More on Richmond Animal League:

For more than 47 years, RAL has been committed to saving animals’ lives and finding homes for pets. We work with over 60 area shelters and rescue partners to reduce euthanasia across Virginia. RAL provides temporary housing, medical treatment, vaccinations, spay/ neuter, and loving care for pets to help them find new homes. 

As we approach our 50th anniversary, RAL is stronger than ever, with plans for continued growth and impact in our communities. We’re proud of the difference we are making, the talented staff, and a supportive community. This is a fantastic place to work!

The Postition:
As the Senior Animal Enrichment and Care Specialist (Senior ACES) you will be supporting the Senior Manager by modeling best practices in animal care, enrichment, sanitation, Fear Free handling, and customer service. The Senior ACES provides day-to-day guidance and training to Animal Enrichment and Care Specialists (ACES) and volunteers, promotes consistent standards of care, and helps ensure a safe, clean, organized, and compassionate environment for animals, staff, volunteers, and visitors.

Responsible for the daily care, feeding, bathing, and exercise of shelter animals.  

Administering vaccines and medications daily, as needed.  Assist with intakes, transport, and assessment of animals from animal control partners. 

Your essential functions will include:

• Performing daily cleaning and sanitation of kennels, cages, public and office areas.

• Providing high-quality daily care for shelter animals, including feeding, cleaning, exercise, bathing, medication administration, enrichment, and daily observation of physical and behavioral health. Report and document concerns in accordance with established shelter protocols, safety procedures, and Fear Free handling practices. 

• Coordinating and safely transporting animals to and from transfer partners, veterinary clinics, foster homes, animal control agencies, and other approved locations. Respond to short-notice transport requests as operational needs require. 

• Maintaining a clean, safe, and organized shelter environment by cleaning kennels, public areas, laundry, transport vehicles, equipment, and grounds.

• Assist with basic facility maintenance, including changing filters, replacing light bulbs, and maintaining shelter vehicles. Kennels, laundry, public areas, transport vehicles, ACEs equipment, and supply areas. 

• Monitor inventory and maintain stock of shelter supplies and food.

• Support behavior modification plans as provided.

• Provide day-to-day leadership and support to Animal Enrichment and Care Specialists by training new employees, mentoring team members, assisting with workflow prioritization, and promoting consistent standards of care.

• Perform opening and closing duties of the shelter as needed.

• Greeting and welcoming visitors, donors, potential adopters, and volunteers.

• Answer phones and respond to voicemails as needed.

• Maintain cat/dog signage, animal records, and information boards in the shelter.

• Train new kennel staff and other staff for coverage on holidays/when needed.

• Serve as a resource to staff by prioritizing daily workflow and maintaining quality standards.

• Serve as a resource for volunteers by providing training, coaching, safety guidance, and support during daily operations. Lead enrichment volunteer activities and communicate opportunities for improvement to leadership. Assist volunteers with procedures, safety protocols, and animal handling.

• Improve/Add additional Enrichment.

• Cross-train and support other shelter departments as needed.

• Actively participate in team meetings, continuing education, and quality improvement initiatives to better strengthen communication and support a positive workplace culture.

What we’re looking for in you:

Required Qualifications:

• High School diploma.

• 2 years of work experience

• Technologically proficient

• Valid driver’s license and good driving record

• Non-Profit Experience a plus

• Excellent verbal and written skills

Competencies:

• Strong initiative and decision making skills

• Ability to mentor employees and volunteers.

• Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills

• Strong companion animal handling skills

• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and the public

• Commitment to Fear Free and humane animal care

• Comfortably and safely drive RAL transport vehicles

Physical Demands

The Shelter/Kennel Attendant is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. 

This position requires the ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Details

• This is a full-time, non-exempt, hourly position with a schedule to be determined with the Sr. Manager

• Regular, predictable, reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.

• Benefits include health care coverage, dental, eye, SIMPLE IRA match, short-term disability, life insurance, generous PTO, an Employee Assistance Program, and professional development opportunities.

• You must be 21 years of age and have a clean driving record. There will be local travel to various shelters within the state.

To apply: Please send all resumes to Anne Auditore at careers@ral.org. Please include your resume, a cover letter or a statement of interest for the position, and let us know how you heard about the job. We’re excited to hear from you!

At Richmond Animal League (RAL), we believe in equality for all. We are committed to ensuring every employee and applicant has an equal opportunity, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.