Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00123

Department: Animal Control & Protection

Job classification: Kennel Technician

Posting type: Open

Categories: Animal Control

Independently maintains safe and sanitary facilities for shelter animals and the public; processes and cares for shelter animals; and performs other related duties.

There are three (3) immediate vacancies with the Animal Control and Protection Agency:

• one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy in Puna
• one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy in Kailua-Kona
• one (1) immediate temporary full-time vacancy not-to-exceed 01/31/2027 in Kailua-Kona

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Special Working Conditions The Animal Control and Protection Agency is a seven (7) day a week operation. Working hours may include four (4) day/ten (10) hour workdays, weekend, and holiday work as required. Exposure to hazardous, filthy, and/or obnoxious conditions.

Examples of duties

• Performs daily cleaning of kennels, cages, and public areas, following proper disease control protocol to ensure a sterile environment.

• Maintains sanitary conditions in animal enclosures and kennel areas; maintains clean and organized work environment.
• Humanely and effectively handles and kennels animals; identifies shelter animals with appropriate tags or bands before kenneling.
• Observes and monitors behavior of animals; distinguishes and reports symptoms of sickness or unusual behavior to appropriate staff.
• May assist the public in identifying a missing pet; assist with the reunification of a pet with their owner.
• Maintains equipment in working condition; reports equipment or supply needs to supervisor.
• Assists in the evaluation and selection of incoming animals to be made available for adoption; performs and records health checks in accordance with proper procedures and protocols.
• Treats all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion.
• Assists with taking animals in and out of kennels or cages.
• Cleans and disinfects food and water bowls and other utensils.
• Stocks areas; spot-clean kennels and public areas throughout the day; cleans, folds, and stocks kennel laundry throughout the shelter.
• Immediately notifies appropriate personnel of any major incidents requiring special attention; practices extreme caution in caring for animals; complies with safety regulations.
• Ensures all kennels have identification cards completed and posted.
• Attends and participates in shelter meetings, community and educational presentations, and events.
• May operate a motor vehicle to perform work-related travel.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Training and Experience
A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from high school, and
• one (1) year of experience in the care, feeding and handling of animals in an animal control agency, a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, cat or dog boarding facility or other related facility.

License Requirement

• possession of a valid State of Hawai`i driver’s license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver’s license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire.)

Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application.

Note: In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai'i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency. If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process.

Knowledge of animal care, identification of various animal species, and basic cleaning and disinfectants; safe and effective handling, restraint, and confinement of animals; characteristics of different species and breeds of animals, and laws, ordinances, and regulations applicable to the proper care, control, and protection of animals.

Ability to apply safety precautions involved in the safe handling of animals; enforce animal control regulations; detect unusual behavior or condition of animals; communicate effectively with the public; plan assignments; follow oral and written instructions, and keep records.

Physical Requirements Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping Heavy

Benefits of County Employment The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Supplemental information

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver's license,
• a temporary assignment verification,
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates.

Veterans applying for veteran's preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:
Please ensure that the email address and mobile phone number you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails and text messages or fail to check your email box or NEOGOV account INBOX in a timely manner. Checking your NEOGOV account INBOX daily is recommended and is the most secure method to check on notices sent to you. This is a new feature created by our vendor, NEOGOV.

Please add info@governmentjobs.com to your contact list. Open your NEOGOV account using your user name and password. In the upper right hand corner of the account is your name, and under your name, click on INBOX to view all notices sent you. The notices will appear here in the INBOX even in the event you don't receive it on your cell phone, computer, or other electronic device. This is the best way to check and view all notices sent to you.

You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application. Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/countyhawaii

E-mail: jobs@hawaiicounty.gov