Job Description

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JOB TITLE: Animal Care Specialist
DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Environmental Services/Animal Services
REPORTS TO: Animal Services Division Manager
Responsible for performing activities related to caring for sheltered animals including maintaining shelters, isolation and quarantine areas; assisting in locating lost pets; monitoring animals’ disposition; giving vaccinations; and, performing euthanasia. Work is performed with limited supervision.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Cleans and maintains the animal shelter, which includes: pressure washing kennels utilizing specialized cleaning chemicals; identifying diseases and other health conditions; handling aggressive, feral, injured, and other animals; and/or, performing other related activities.
• Assists the public in locating lost pets and adopting new pets. Works with the general public and rescue/humane organizations to re-home animals from the shelter to permanent homes. Evaluates temperament, health, and general adoptability of animals to ensure a safe and lasting adoption, which includes working with wildlife rehabilitators for the successful rehabilitation of injured or orphaned wildlife.
• Assists in euthanizing animals, following established guidelines and procedures.
• Assists office staff in coordinating calls for service by dispatching officers, answering telephones, and assisting walk-in customers.
• Monitors and maintains department inventory and supplies in accordance with departmental procedures. Recommends the ordering of supplies and inventory when appropriate.
• Photographs animals for inclusion on the animal adoption website. Responds to inquiries from the general public regarding animals included on the website.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Knowledge of common animal and zoonotic diseases.
• Knowledge of animal behavior.
• Knowledge of animal breeds.
• Knowledge of sedatives utilized on animals.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Knowledge of basic animal anatomy.
• Knowledge of proper cleaning and sanitizing methods and procedures.
• Skilled in caring for animals.
• Skilled in identifying common animal diseases.
• Skilled in administering sedatives to animals.
• Skilled in cleaning and sanitizing animal care facilities.
• Skilled in providing customer service.
• Skilled in restraining and handling difficult animals.
• Skilled in operating a computer and related software applications.
• Skilled in communicating effectively with a variety of individuals, including good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lift up to 75lbs without assistance, including loading an animal into a transport unit.
SUPERVISORY/BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES:
• None.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency.
• General experience handling and restraining animals.
• 1-2 years of customer service experience.
• Ability to obtain Euthanasia Technician Certification, as required by city policy, within 6 months of employment.
• Ability to obtain State of Texas Basic Animal Control Officer Certification within 1 year of employment.
• Requires a valid Texas Driver's License
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• None.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Frequent climbing, balancing, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, talking, seeing, hearing, smelling, and manual dexterity.
• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 100 pounds.
• Work is typically performed in both a standard office and outdoor environment, with potential exposure to adverse weather conditions.
• Work is occasionally performed in close quarters and high and precarious places.
• Potential exposure to fumes or airborne particles, infectious diseases, chemicals, and criminal suspects.
• Drive pick-up truck with animal transport equipment.
• Uses two-way radios, multi-line phone system and cellular phone.
• Frequent use of medical devices including syringes, needles, droppers, swabs and medical safety equipment.
• Administers canine and feline vaccinations, to include mixing, preparation and administer.
• Utilizes animal restraint equipment including restraint pole, snake pole, snake tongs, flexible snare, several size animal traps, injured animal transport equipment, animal muzzles, halters, livestock leads and harness.
• Uses high pressure cleaning equipment.
• Utilizes personal protective equipment.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• Must pass pre-employment drug test.
• Must pass criminal history check.
• Must pass motor vehicle records check.
• Must maintain a valid Texas Driver’s License.
• Must obtain Euthanasia Technician Certification, as required by city policy, within 6 months of employment.
• Must obtain State of Texas Basic Animal Control Officer Certification within 1 year of employment.