What You'll Be Doing

Wake County Animal Center (WCAC) is hiring two (2) Animal Welfare Attendant (AWA) Supervisors who will be responsible for providing the day-to-day direction & supervision of the Animal Welfare Attendant (AWA) team. These supervisors are charged with ensuring that all WCAC standards & best practices are being met by leading and reviewing the work of team members as they work to accomplish all tasks assigned, such as animal husbandry, adoption counseling, customer service, humane animal handling, etc. Expectations include but are not limited to creating and overseeing workflow and required tasks of direct reports, defining goals, communicating objectives and monitoring performance, and managing all hiring, onboarding activities, employee development, performance and timesheet approvals. The Animal Welfare Attendant Supervisors are responsible for developing a team that provides humane care and handling for shelter animals.

The AWA Supervisor will also be responsible for working alongside or performing all tasks assigned to the AWA team daily, as this is a working supervisor position and you will be expected to perform all duties associated with the AWA team.

The AWA team members are expected to provide and maintain a high standard of daily care, monitoring and feeding almost all the animals housed at the Wake County Animal Center. AWAs are responsible for sanitizing their assigned kennels each morning in the time allotted and providing follow-up care throughout the day. The AWA Supervisor will be responsible for working alongside or performing all tasks assigned to the AWA team daily - this is a working supervisor position, and you will be expected to perform all duties associated with the AWA team.

The staff members on the AWA team are also responsible for tasks assigned by AWA Supervisors, as well as daily tasks that are performed communally.

Examples Of Communal Tasks Performed By AWA Staff

Laundry
Cleaning the animal kitchen
Sweeping
Mopping
Putting away animals after surgery

Examples Of Daily Assigned Tasks Are

Deep cleaning supply areas
Deep cleaning the kitchen
Performing animal inventory

The AWAs at WCAC are also adoption counselors throughout our adoption hours, which are normally noon to 6:00 pm. During this time, the AWA staff members may assist customers who are looking for a new addition to their family or searching for their lost pet, answer radio calls from the front desk staff to provide support and assist foster parents or rescue partners. Due to the large number of kennels and duties to be performed daily, the AWAs work in a fast-paced environment where efficiency and effectiveness are of the utmost importance. Additionally, because the Animal Center is an open-admission facility, the animals that come into the Center may have behavioral or medical issues which require special care, proper and humane animal handling, and recognition of common or infectious animal disease.

About

About Our Team

The Wake County Animal Center is an open-admission animal shelter operated by Wake County Government and on average takes in between 7,000 to 9,000 animals each year. We receive all stray, abandoned and surrendered pets in Wake County. The Center works in partnership with fosters, volunteers, and local rescues, to treat and rehome thousands of homeless animals every year.

Required

The Basics (Required Education and Experience)

High school diploma or GED
One year of experience in animal care or control
Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)

Two years of related animal care experience; previous animal shelter experience.
One year of supervisory experience.
Associate's degree or higher in animal husbandry, veterinary care, or a similar program.

How Will We Know You're 'The One'?

Understands basic management approaches such as work scheduling, prioritizing tasks for teams, coaching, and process execution.
Excellent communication skills to handle frequent citizen contact and escalated customer service requests. Ability to handle irate or distressed patrons and animals in a calming manner.
Ability to exercise solid judgment and make decisions around care, protection, finding quality homes, aiding in reducing pet population, and achieving live outcomes.
Typically requires advanced knowledge of job area, animal care, animal welfare, safe and humane animal handling, typically obtained through advanced experience.
Establish high-quality standards for work. Add value. Measure results and hold self and others accountable for making progress toward desired outcomes.
Take a logical and data-driven approach to decision-making.
Ability to assess situations and determine the appropriate course of actions within assigned parameters confidently and proactively.
Ability to demonstrate a high degree of accountability.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with peers, colleagues, and management.
Ability to work with all types of domesticated animals.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Knowledge of animal handling techniques.
Ability to work well with others in a stressful environment.
Self-motivation and proven time management skills.

About This Position

Location: Wake County Animal Control Raleigh, NC 27610

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: Varying schedule - 40 hours Sunday through Saturday. Varying shifts between 7:00 am - 6:30 pm

Hiring Range: $26.07 - $29.81

Market Range: 26.07 - 33.55

Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 8/23/2026

What Makes Wake Great Equal Opportunity Statement Background Check Statement Emergency Service Worker Statement

What Makes Wake Great

Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is the proud home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and the two-time Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes, winners in 2006 and 2026. In addition to being Wake County’s seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina’s most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. Starting in fall 2026, the Wake County Board will have seven commissioners elected by voters in their districts and two at-large commissioners elected by the whole County. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County’s FY2027 General Fund budget is approximately $2.28 billion, and the County has more than 5,000 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement

Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.

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Animal Welfare Attendant Supervisor