Job Description

Provides routine paramedical treatment to animals in the County Animal Shelter. Cares for, places, or determines dispositions of animals, maintains kennels in a sanitary condition, and performs related duties as required. The work requires prior experience and is performed under general supervision.

Essential Job Functions

Examines and documents, at the time of intake, the condition of incoming animals to include, physical condition, the need for veterinary treatment, behavioral temperament, and housing location within shelter. Photographs every animal for animal file and owner identification. Places identification on incoming animals to track them while in the shelter.

Performs routine tests to determine the presence of suspected disease at the time of intake or the screening of animals prior to adoption. Receives animals and separates for observation all animals that show signs of rabies or other diseases.

Checks every incoming animal against lost and found reports submitted to the Animal Shelter.

Thoroughly examines incoming animals for any type of owner identification to include checking for tattoos, microchips, and tags. Investigates ownership and immediately attempts to contact the owner of the animal by phone and/or email to allow for animal redemption as quickly as possible. Works with Animal Control Officers to coordinate the posting of properties to contact owners of animals in the shelter.

Inspects and documents the condition of shelter animals on a daily basis documenting abnormalities in diet, temperament, or physical condition. Make decisions for housing location changes or referring to veterinarian for treatment when daily observations and exams determine necessity.

Coordinates with the Animal Care Supervisor to provide care to animals by a veterinarian when necessary. Provides health care to animals held at the animal shelter as directed by a veterinarian; renders emergency care within the scope of duties as directed by a veterinarian.

Ensures adherence to procedures and substances protocols, for the injection and the subsequent removal of animals for purposes of euthanasia.

Maintains State and Federal mandated medical logs and prepares medication for use.

Maintains inventory of and conducts or allows inventory inspections of all pharmaceuticals, equipment, and supplies.

Writes intake reports for animals evaluated that could be or are part of animal cruelty investigations. Completes forensic style photographs for use in potential animal cruelty investigations.

Counsels individuals and provide resource information to owners in order to keep pets in the home of owners wishing to surrender their animals to the shelter.

Works with Behavioral Evaluation and Enrichment Coordinator and the Volunteer and Rescue Coordinator to determine animal pathways through the shelter to prevent unnecessary long term housing of animals.

Oversees trustees from inmate work detail and participates in maintaining sanitary kennels and shelter facilities.

Acts as Animal Care Supervisor in their absence.

Other Duties

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills (These are pre-employment KASs that apply only to Essential Job Functions.)

Knowledge of--

• Modern principles, practices and techniques of the clinical care of animals.
• Hazards and safety practices involved in dealing with animals.
• Computer applications, such as animal management software and Microsoft Office Suite.

Ability to--

• Determine animal requirements by conducting examinations and interviews.
• Maintain animal records by documenting animal conditions, treatment, reactions, and changes.
• Maintain a safe, secure, healthy, and humane environment.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the work including County officials and employees, animal owners, and the public.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Deal effectively with the public.

Required Qualifications (Note: Any acceptable combination of education, training and relevant experience that provides the above knowledges, abilities and skills may be substituted on a full-time year for year basis.)

Training and/or Education:

High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience:

Three years of direct professional animal handling experience in a veterinary facility or animal shelter.

Licenses or Certificates:

Valid driver's license.

Will be required to become certified in humane euthanasia post-employment at the County's expense.

Special Requirements:

Must beat least18 years of age.

Subject to call-back in emergency situations.

Operation of County owned vehicle.

Employee must have ability and willingness to obtain rabies pre-exposure vaccinations post-employment (offered at the County's expense).

Physical Demands:

Ability to control, lift, and carry animals handled at the facility.

Requires long periods of standing and frequent walking indoors and outdoors.

Repeated bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or reaching.

Recurring lifting of objects up to 50 pounds.

Operation of keyboard devices.

May involve walking over rough, uneven terrain.

Work may be physically or emotionally demanding.

Unusual Demands:

Exposure to hazards while dealing with dangerous, frightened, or diseased animals.

Exposure to cleaning and disinfecting agents.

Exposure to animal dirt, dust, dander, noise, and odors from cleaning chemicals.

Must be willing to perform and assist in euthanasia procedures (the humane destruction of animals) as needed.

Required to work non-standard schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Required to work during emergency weather events or other emergency situations that close the shelter and require the operation of an emergency pet shelter.

Work is subject to frequent interruptions.

FLSA Status:

Nonexempt

Compensation Steps:

Pay rate: $27.26 per hour

Grade 719, temporary position, up to 35 hours per week

Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter

Position closing date: October 19, 2026

Please Note: This position will close at 11:59 p.m. on October 19, 2026. To be considered for the role, ensure that your application is submitted before the deadline. The position will be removed from the website as of 12:00 a.m. on October 20, 2026.

Please Note: A complete application is required to be considered for a position within Calvert County Government. All prior work experience, education, and other certifications should be entered into the application and supplemental questions should be answered completely. Attachments are not provided to hiring managers unless you are selected for an interview.

Calvert County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at recruitment@calvertcountymd.gov with as much notice as possible.