Would you accept these working conditions (low paying job) (employees, interviewed, college degree)

[sedonaverde]

I interviewed for a job at an animal shelter and while it is paid, the salary is low. To be expected I guess.

Here are some of the duties working conditions:

- Clean cages / kennels for 1-2 hours per 4 hour shift depending on number of animals on site. All they offer is part time.
- Administer oral meds and eye drops to animals as requested by the vet tech on duty.
- Light paperwork to record anomalies / communicate problems with management. Write mini reports.
- Walk dogs for 1-1.5 hours per shift.

Dog walking specifics:
- Inspect their poo (#2) if it's liquid (diarrhea), blood, irregular and report to management (insert in report) and of course clean it up
- Scoop leaves/twigs/brush over their pee (#1) to hide it because the walking paths cross a state park and the management doesn't want to the paths to resemble a toilet considering it's public property

- No cell phones allowed even on walks. Note that walks are scheduled before sunrise and after sunset. Management says they want workers to be fully focused on their jobs. I get they don't want employees to text their friends instead of working but the last place where cell phones were not allowed was a bank and that was to protect customers' financial info. But requiring employees to walk dogs alone, in the dark, without their phone has me on edge. What if there's a medical emergency with me or the dog, someone tries to hurt us / rob me, etc. ?

No benefits since part time.

I have a college degree and the pay is slightly higher than minimum wage. I took the job since I need something over the next few weeks since money is tight and I'm hoping to get a reference, but what do you think of the above conditions? They seem a little much for the low pay.

[fishbrains]

It's a low skill job, so it's going to have low wages.

I would start my own dog walking business before I spent much time on this job, but it doesn't sound unreasonable.

[sedonaverde]

Low skill therefore low wages .. I get that. I contacted several shelters/kennels and related companies and most wanted prior experience handling animals and/or a vet tech diploma/ etc. I'm just starting out in this field and am hoping to learn enough on the job, develop references and then consider opening my own service. I guess you could say this place is a cheap way to get on the job training rather than paying to go back to school, but with the conditions described in my OP, I'm not sure how long I can tolerate it. The management sounds rather controlling.

[North Beach Person]

Actually the duties sound about what should be expected for that type of facility.


So you have one of two choices. Take the job or not.

[Meemur]

If it won't wear you out, take the job and network, network, network. Then after you know a lot more people, you might want to start a dog-walking/house sitting business.

[Hemlock140]

When I was first starting my business in 1993 and needed additional income, I took a job at an animal hospital as janitor. I worked M-F evenings and about 4 hours on Sunday when they were closed for a more thorough cleaning. Many of the same duties though I didn't have to handle animals, and back then they paid me $10/hour. Fortunately business picked up after less than a year and I quit, but it's really not fun work.

[usedgoats4sale]

yes.

[joe from dayton]

Sounds about right. Stick your phone in your pocket; don't use it unless there is an emergency.

[pvande55]

Sounds like a job for those who REALLY love animals.

[sedonaverde]

Originally Posted by joe from dayton

Stick your phone in your pocket; don't use it unless there is an emergency.

That's what I was thinking too but the manager said cell phones are forbidden. They take them hostage at the beginning of the shift and return them at the end. I'm worried this will leave me vulnerable to attack in the dark.