A rewarding career is waiting for you at Santa Cruz SPCA! 

The Santa Cruz SPCA has been a mainstay serving animals in our community since 1938. Although our organization originally provided animal control services for Santa Cruz County, since 2002 we have been a fully independent nonprofit animal welfare organization focused on cat and dog rescue and adoption, providing a robust curriculum of humane education programs, and offering a variety of programs and services that support keeping pets and their people together. In 2020, amid the global pandemic, we built and opened our brand new animal shelter. This modern, purpose-built facility has given us the ability to expand our impact and help more animals in need. Our vision for the coming years is to double the number of lives saved and touched through our programs.

The Santa Cruz SPCA is seeking team members who are driven to play a role in expanding and refining our operations to achieve this vision! We pride ourselves on being compassionate, collaborative, adaptable and driven by ingenuity. To effectively help needy animals we depend on teamwork between our staff, volunteers, clients, supporters and our community. We welcome feedback, contribution, fresh eyes and a fresh take so we can continually improve our operations. If you are seeking a new role where you can make a true difference in animals’ lives while having an opportunity to contribute to a growing organization, we would love to speak with you! 

Check out the current SCSPCA career opportunities below!

Client Care Coordinator – Full-Time

The Client Care Coordinator ensures a positive public image, maintains the well-being of animals and the public, upholds an empathetic and trusting “Adopter’s Welcome” approach, and works to improve the functioning of the team and organization as a whole. Under the supervision of the Shelter Manager, this role performs a wide range of Client Care and Adoption duties. While there is a focus on interfacing with the public and coordinating animal adoptions, they also play supporting roles with other departments, including but not limited to: Behavior & Training, Animal Care, Programs, and Volunteer & Foster.

Animal Care Coordinator – Full-Time

The Animal Care Coordinator ensures a high degree of physical health and mental enrichment is acheived for the animals in our care, upholding best practice standards and a “Fear Free” approach. Under the general supervision of the Animal Care Supervisor, this role performs a wide range of Animal Care duties. While there is a focus on caring for our animals, they also hold responsibilities that support various departments, including but not limited to: Behavior & Training, Facilities,  Client Care & Adoptions, and Volunteer and Foster. 

Animal Behavior and Training Specialist – Full-Time

Guided by the Humane Hierarchy, using science-based training and enrichment methodologies, and an “Adopters Welcome” approach, the Behavior and Training Specialist member leads the assessment, behavior modification, enrichment, and training program for all shelter dogs and cats. Under the general supervision of the Shelter Manager, the B&T Specialist plays an active role in building our “people-power” through the on-going training of volunteers, fosters, and staff members so we can positively impact more animals in need. While there is a focus on the behavior, training, and enrichment, this role also holds responsibilities that support various departments, including but not limited to: Client Care & Adoptions, Animal Care, and Volunteer and Fosters.