Humane Educator at Pasadena Humane

PASADENA HUMANE is a non-profit animal welfare organization looking for passionate professionals to join our team. 

JOIN US & MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

THE MISSION

To lead the way toward a compassionate and caring community for all animals.

OUR VALUES

LEARNING: We commit to best practice and professional development through continuous education.

INTEGRITY: We value honest and transparent communication and decision making using evidence based practices.

COLLABORATION:  We value teamwork in our organization and partnerships with our community to deliver exceptional service.

KINDNESS: We show compassion, care, respect and empathy to all animals and humans without prejudice or discrimination.

JOB TITLE: HUMANE EDUCATOR 

FLSA: Non-Exempt

FT/PT: Full Time

JOB SUMMARY

The Humane Educator facilitates age-appropriate lesson plans and activities that align with Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) framework. This position participates in introducing and handling behaviorally appropriate animals for programs while teaching key concepts related to animal welfare, husbandry, and behavior. The Humane Educator plays a vital role in fostering a compassionate, informed community and supporting the overall success of Pasadena Humane’s education and outreach initiatives.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Program volunteers as assigned.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Facilitate humane education programs for youth and community members across a variety of settings, including on-site classrooms, schools, summer camps, and community events.
• Deliver engaging, age-appropriate lessons aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS), Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) framework.
• Support the Humane Education Manager in implementing curriculum, activities, and program materials.
• Oversee the classroom and groups of youth participants while delivering high quality educational content and ensuring safety in various programs including, but not limited to, Junior Vet Camp, Scout Programs, Party Animals, One-Day Workshops, Summer Camps, and offsite humane education programs. 
• Communicate with parents/guardians during programs as needed, including providing updates, answering questions, and supporting participants' needs.
• Safely handle, introduce, and present behaviorally appropriate animals during programs in alignment with Pasadena Humane’s handling and welfare standards.
• Teach key concepts related to animal welfare, husbandry, behavior, and responsible pet care.
• Model and promote safe, respectful interactions between humans and animals.
• Assist with program setup, breakdown, materials preparation, and classroom organization. Help prepare and maintain program spaces to ensure cleanliness, safety, and readiness for scheduled activities.
• Support registration, check-in/out procedures, attendance tracking, and general program logistics. Assist with maintaining accurate program documentation and data entry. 
• Assist with general department communications, including preparing and sending participant emails. 
• Assist with inventory tracking and routine program supply orders to support day-to-day classroom readiness.
• Maintain compliance with Pasadena Humane safety protocols and humane education policies.
• As a Mandated Reporter, identify and report signs of suspected abuse or neglect to leadership and Human Resources in accordance with California law.
• Follow child safety protocols, including restroom procedures and participant supervision guidelines.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required; a teaching credential or post-graduate degree is a plus but not required.
• Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment.
• 3 years of experience working in any of the following required: youth programs, community education, or humane education.
  1. Minimum of one year of classroom or substitute teaching experience strongly preferred.
• CPR & First Aid Certification required and continuously maintained.  
• Complete California Mandated reporter training before working with program participants and continuously maintain certification.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Must come to work regularly and on time. Must be available able to work early hours, evenings, and weekends according to the needs of the department schedule. Must be available to work weekends and holidays.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Fast-paced environment. Employees are exposed to numerous animals (live and deceased), including those with uncertain dispositions. They are required to act in a safe and responsible manner.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl; talk or hear and/or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Pasadena Humane is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy not to engage in discrimination against any individual, or harassment of any person seeking employment with our organization on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, genetic information or status as a covered veteran including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increase, salary, training and development, demotion, and separation. This policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable State and Federal laws. Federal law requires proof of citizenship or "alien right-to-work" status. Pasadena Humane maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing.