Employment Opportunities

The ARK at JFK is an animal health and reception facility supporting the import, quarantine, export and domestic transportation of horses, pets, birds, exotic animals and livestock. ARK Pet Oasis specifically addresses all of the travel needs of domestic pets including short-term respite care, pick-up and delivery from and to cargo or passenger terminals, veterinary exams and certification for domestic pets travelling by air to, from and through JFK, LGA and EWR as well as dogs employed at the airport by various law enforcement agencies.

Reporting to the Manager and Managing Director, Attendants will be responsible for providing the very best short-term care for pets transiting through JFK International Airport. Responsibilities will include, walking, feeding, grooming/cleaning and drop off/pickups. In addition, Attendants must keep accurate records of animals’ care, scan documents into system, generate invoices, take payments, respond to emails, interact with Federal agencies and customers in person and by telephone, maintain a clean work environment, and recognize supply needs.

Full and Part-Time Positions Available

• Provide high quality dog, cat and other small animal care – walking, feeding, recreation, prepare for outbound flight, receive from inbound flight
• Feed and hydrate pets; provide medication as needed according to scheduled feeding instructions
• Perform animal grooming duties such as washing, brushing and drying
• Kennel maintenance including cleaning and disinfection
• Travel crate cleaning upon pet’s arrival
• Preparing travel crate prior to departure
• Launder beds/blankets/toys etc.
• Monitor any changes in soundness and health of animals and report issues or concerns to supervisor
• Observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury
• Maintain pet notes in system
• Basic maintenance and repair of crates and kennels
• Provide front desk support as needed including reservation, emails, answering telephone calls
• Transportation for pets to/from cargo facilities and terminals at JFK airport
• Demonstrate professionalism and customer service skills when working with customers, government agencies (USDA, CBP, CDC, USFWS, etc.) and airline representatives
• Filing, scanning, and reviewing documents related to pet travel
• Flexible when dealing with unplanned pick-ups and drop-offs

• High School Diploma; Associates or Bachelor’s degree preferred
• Valid driver’s license with good driving history
• Animal handling experience – must be confident handling dogs, cats, and other small animals; aggressive/anxious dog/cat experience needed
• Written and oral communication skills
• Willingness and ability to work non-standard shifts including weekends and/or 12 hour shifts
• Must provide own reliable transportation to/from work
• Ability to prioritize and plan ahead with sound decision-making skills
• Dependable, reliable and efficient
• Working knowledge and proficiency in Outlook, Word and Excel
• Must be able to lift loads (up to 50 lbs.)
• Proficiency in a foreign language such as Spanish, French, German and/or Italian a plus
• Must meet Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Port Authority, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements which includes a background check and fingerprinting
• Required to sign confidentiality agreement for privacy and biosecurity measures for The ARK facility

• 8 hour shifts
• May work holidays
• May work overnight shifts
• Overtime available as needed
• Must be available to work Saturdays and/or Sundays

The ARK at JFK
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), 78A N. Boundary Rd., New York, NY 11430

Reporting to the Quarantine Manager or shift supervisor, Animal Attendants will be responsible for handling, feeding, grooming, and providing adequate care for primarily horses but also birds. Furthermore, Attendants are responsible for the overall maintenance and cleanliness of the facility as governed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Full and Part-Time Positions Available; Nights and Weekends

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Effective high-level delivery of daily animal care throughout quarantine stay including feeding, grooming, stall mucking and possible handwalking
• Ability to observe and document any unusual behavior, signs of illness or animal injuries and communicate to Manager/Supervisor
• Documentation of daily activity in stall or medical chart
• Comfortable and capable of quiet handling of horses regardless of behavior, temperament, or age at arrival, departure, or for veterinary examination if necessary.
• Stall preparation and related cleaning and disinfecting of each stall,equipment and surrounding areas after animal’s release from facility
• experience in use of equipment to load and unload supplies such as hay and horse tack
• Adherence to biosafety protocols and quarantine procedures required by the USDA and ARK Standard Operating Procedures and work processes
• Assist with documentation requirements, data entry, or communication with clients, as needed

Skills and Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Considerable equine and/or large animal experience; stallion experience preferred
• Good oral communication skills
• Ability to prioritize with sound decision-making skills
• Dependable, reliable, and efficient
• Willingness/ability to work nonstandard shifts
• Must be able to lift loads of a minimum of 40 pounds and stand for prolonged periods of time
• Must meet Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Port Authority, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements which includes a background check and fingerprinting
• Required to sign confidentiality agreement for privacy and biosecurity measures at The ARK at JFK facility