Animal Attendant in Chicago, Illinois at WESTSIDE HEALTH AUTHORITY

Job Title: REENTRY KENNEL CLEANING TRANSITIONAL JOB PARTICIPANT

Department: Workforce and Job Development - Reentry Services

Program: Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) Work Experience & Development Program

Employment Status: Temporary, Part-Time Transitional Employment

Hourly Rate: $16.60 per hour

Work Schedule: Approximately 27 hours per week; six (6) scheduled workdays per week

Funding Source: Grant-Funded Position

About Westside Health Authority (WHA)

Westside Health Authority (WHA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development organization that has proudly served Chicago’s Austin community and the Greater West Side for more than 30 years. Through innovative programming and strategic partnerships, WHA provides services in Community Wellness, Reentry and Adult Services, Workforce Development, Youth Innovation, and Economic Development. WHA works to improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities by creating opportunities that promote long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Reentry Kennel Cleaning Transitional Job Participant participates in Westside Health Authority’s Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) Work Experience & Development Program, a grant-funded transitional employment opportunity designed to provide eligible participants with structured, paid work experience while developing the skills and workplace behaviors necessary for long-term employment.

Under the daily direction of assigned CACC supervisory personnel and with support from WHA Reentry Services staff, participants clean and sanitize assigned dog kennels, support animal feeding and watering, maintain safe and sanitary pavilion areas, and complete related shelter duties at Chicago Animal Care and Control, 2741 S. Western Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

The program is designed to strengthen individual responsibility, teamwork, punctuality, effective communication, task completion, workplace safety, professionalism, and accountability. This position is temporary and subject to continued grant funding, program eligibility, satisfactory participation, program performance requirements, and organizational and operational needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Kennel Cleaning, Sanitation & Animal Care Support

• Report to the assigned CACC Supervisor for daily work assignments and follow established CACC kennel-cleaning policies, procedures, and sanitation standards.

• Clean and sanitize dog kennels, floors, walls, gates, bowls, equipment, and other designated surfaces within assigned pavilions.

• Remove animal waste, soiled materials, debris, and other materials and maintain assigned kennel and pavilion areas in a clean, sanitary, safe, and orderly condition.

• Ensure animals in assigned areas are fed as directed by authorized CACC personnel and clean and refill animal water bowls.

• Conduct spot checks throughout the work shift, correct cleaning deficiencies identified by supervisors, and obtain required supervisory inspection and approval before leaving the worksite.

Facility Cleaning, Safety & PPE

• Sweep, mop, scrub, disinfect, and sanitize assigned work areas, hallways, laundry areas, and other designated spaces.

• Collect and properly dispose of trash and animal waste; assist with shelter laundry and related cleaning duties as assigned.

• Safely use approved cleaning products, disinfectants, tools, and equipment and promptly report low supplies, damaged equipment, spills, or unsafe conditions.

• Wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gowns, shoe coverings, masks, gloves, hearing protection, or other protective equipment as directed.

• Follow sanitation, infection-control, exposure-prevention, animal-safety, and chemical-handling procedures and immediately report injuries, animal bites or scratches, chemical exposure, or other incidents.

• Observe animals while performing duties and promptly report apparent illness, injury, distress, unusual behavior, or other concerns; do not independently handle, restrain, relocate, medicate, or treat animals unless trained and authorized.

Attendance, Timekeeping & Workplace Conduct

• Report to work on time, maintain satisfactory attendance, and follow established procedures for reporting absences or tardiness.

• Accurately record all hours worked and required breaks using assigned timekeeping credentials; never clock in or out for another participant.

• Remain in assigned work areas during scheduled work hours except during authorized breaks or when directed otherwise by supervisory personnel.

• Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, accountability, teamwork, respectful communication, and a willingness to learn and accept constructive feedback.

Uniforms, Security & Electronic Devices

• Wear required program-issued scrubs, work boots, identification badges, and PPE; maintain issued uniforms in a clean and sanitary condition.

• Enter and exit through authorized entrances, remain within authorized work areas, and follow CACC procedures regarding lockers, personal belongings, bags, facility access, parking, and security.

• Do not remove CACC, City of Chicago, donated, animal-care, or other property from the facility without authorization.

• Refrain from personal cell phone use while actively working and do not photograph or record animals, employees, participants, visitors, work areas, or activities without authorization.

• Do not wear earbuds or headphones while performing assigned duties when prohibited for safety reasons; use approved hearing protection when required.

Workforce Development & Employment Readiness

• Participate in required WHA workforce development, case management, career development, employment readiness, and supportive-service activities.

• Work with WHA staff on employment goals, résumé development, interview preparation, job search activities, referrals, and transition planning for permanent, unsubsidized employment.

• Participate in approved training opportunities, including Safe Humane Chicago dog-handling training when available, and apply coaching to improve workplace performance.

• Complete required WHA, DFSS, and program documentation and communicate employment barriers or supportive-service needs to appropriate WHA staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

Program Eligibility & Experience

• Must meet applicable eligibility requirements for the WHA/DFSS Reentry Transitional Jobs Program, including any returning-resident or justice-involvement criteria established by the governing grant or program.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States in accordance with applicable law and be willing to work within an active municipal animal shelter environment.

• Must be willing to work around dogs and other animals of varying sizes, conditions, and temperaments and be able to understand and follow verbal and written work instructions, with reasonable accommodation when required.

• Previous kennel, animal care, janitorial, custodial, sanitation, maintenance, warehouse, landscaping, or related experience is preferred but not required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions, established workplace procedures, sanitation standards, and safety requirements.

• Ability to safely perform cleaning and sanitation duties following appropriate training.

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team environment.

• Ability to maintain satisfactory attendance and punctuality and communicate respectfully and effectively with supervisors, coworkers, and others.

• Ability to accept constructive feedback and apply coaching to improve work performance.

• Ability to follow infection-control, PPE, animal-safety, and facility-security requirements.

• Ability to adapt to changing assignments and operational needs in a fast-paced animal shelter environment.

• Ability to appropriately report safety concerns, animal concerns, workplace incidents, and other issues to supervisory personnel.

• Commitment to professionalism, accountability, teamwork, successful program participation, and the mission of Westside Health Authority.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates primarily within an active municipal animal shelter environment and requires regular interaction with CACC supervisory personnel, WHA staff, coworkers, animals, volunteers, visitors, and members of the public. The work may involve exposure to animals of varying sizes and temperaments, animal hair and dander, animal waste and bodily fluids, cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, strong odors, loud or sudden animal noises, wet or slippery surfaces, biological hazards, and varying temperatures. Duties require frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, repetitive cleaning movements, pushing and pulling equipment or carts, and lifting or carrying supplies and materials. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

• Maintain satisfactory attendance and punctuality and complete assigned kennel cleaning and sanitation responsibilities safely, accurately, and within established timelines.

• Maintain assigned pavilions and kennel areas according to CACC cleaning standards and follow supervisory instructions, sanitation standards, and safety requirements.

• Properly use required PPE and demonstrate reliability, professionalism, accountability, effective communication, teamwork, and appropriate workplace conduct.

• Accept constructive feedback and demonstrate improvement when coaching is provided.

• Participate in required workforce development, employment readiness, training, and case management activities and meet applicable WHA, CACC, DFSS, grant, documentation, and performance requirements.

• Support the mission, vision, values, and goals of Westside Health Authority and demonstrate progress toward successful transition into permanent employment.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly Rate: $16.60 per hour.

• Schedule: Approximately 27 hours per week; six (6) scheduled workdays per week, generally between 7:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon, subject to current program and operational requirements.

• Program Services: Access to workforce development, career navigation, employment placement assistance, case management, job-readiness training, and available supportive services through WHA.

• Grant Funding: Continued participation and employment are contingent upon applicable program eligibility, satisfactory performance, availability of grant funding, and applicable program and organizational requirements. Participation does not guarantee permanent employment with WHA, CACC, the City of Chicago, or another employer.

DISCLAIMER: The duties and responsibilities described are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the participant. Duties may change at any time with or without notice to meet organizational, operational, programmatic, contractual, or funding requirements.

Westside Health Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees.