Animal Welfare Professionals

Position Summary:

Let’s inspire the next generation of animal lovers! We’re welcoming students ages 9-14 years old to Camp Joybound. This weeklong camp at Joybound’s Walnut Creek headquarters introduces students to veterinary medicine and animal care, providing hands-on experience with dogs and cats in a fun and instructive environment. Camp Joybound Counselors supervise campers, creating a welcoming and accessible experience while ensuring youth safety.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the direction of the Director of Community Engagement and the Community Engagement Coordinator, Camp Joybound Counselors are responsible for the care and safety of campers.

• Establish daily camp schedule in conjunction with Clinic, Animal Care, Adoptions, and Behavior Training – confirm what activities campers will do and when, including breaks and lunch.
• Complete check in and check out process for campers, confirming release information daily.
• Welcome and respond to questions for parents and guardians.
• Follow established policies and procedures governing safe work practices.
• Monitor supplies.
• Maintain two adults present with campers at all times.
• Always treat people and animals with respect, contribute to effective teamwork, promote staff cooperation, and foster public relations beneficial to Joybound.
• Maintain confidentiality of all internal information and camper/family information.
• Interact and communicate with colleagues, volunteers, and the public in a manner that advances a culture of positivity, professionalism, trust, transparency, empathy, and excellence at Joybound.
• Strictly adhere to all California safety, labor, and youth protection regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Experience working with children using class management and supervision skills.

• Strong initiative, facilitation, organization, and communication skills.
• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.
• Maturity, good judgment and professional personal appearance.
• Enjoy working with people of all ages and animals.
• Proven track record of setting and achieving goals.
• Comfortable and skilled in working with a culturally diverse staff, volunteers, and community.
• Pre-employment background screening required and complete livescan/fingerprinting process.
• Must complete Mandated Reporter training before working with youth and renewed every two years of employment with Joybound People & Pets.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Affection for animals, concern for their welfare, and a willingness to accommodate animals in the workplace.
• Pre-employment background screening required.

Education and Experience:

•    High School Diploma or equivalent.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Specific physical abilities required by this job include:

• Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens.
• Push/pull and lift/move moderately heavy objects up to 50 pounds.
• Kneel, bend, stoop, squat, reach above and below shoulder level, grasp and turn objects, stand, and/or walk frequently and repetitively throughout each shift.
• Flex the neck upward and downward; twist the neck and the waist.
• Sit for long and short periods of time using a computer.
• Work environment includes constant exposure to animals and animal allergens.
• Tetanus and rabies inoculations are required or must be waived.

Hours:

• Seasonal, temporary position: during assigned work weeks when school is not in session, authorized to work up to a maximum of 40 hours per week as needed by the department.
• Spring Break Camps:
  • Monday-Friday, March 30-April 2, 2026
  • Monday-Friday, April 6-10, 2026
  • Camp Counselor schedule is generally 8:30 am-2:30 pm, with counselors scheduled for pre-camp and post-camp day hours.
  • Summer camp hours for campers are 9:00 am-2:00 pm
• Counselors must be available for the entire camp week and attend counselor training.

Nonexempt:

Full-time, non-exempt, onsite position authorized to work up to a maximum of 40 hours per week (Monday - Friday). Hours and workdays may vary according to the needs of the department. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required.

At Joybound, we value diversity and treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of or traits historically associated with race; color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.