Animal Shelter Tech

Description

The Animal Care Shelter Technician is responsible for caring for the animals in the Animal Care Facility, ensuring the cleanliness of the animal holding areas and all other areas of the facility. The Animal Care Shelter Technician will perform basic shelter care such as medicating, bathing, micro-chipping, and assist the Animal Care Officers with euthanizing as needed. Assisting the public with inquires to include adoption, surrender, and relaying concerns to Animal Control Officers for potential calls for service. The Animal Care Shelter Technician communicates frequently with co-workers, members of the public and others in order to carry out the essential job duties. 

Essential Job Duties

The Animal Care Shelter Technician must be able to perform the following additional essential job duties safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Performs daily cleaning and sanitizing of animal holding areas.
2. Performs daily feeding and watering of shelter animals.
3. Administers medications and basic medical care as needed to the shelter animals.
4. Assists in euthanizing of unwanted, dangerous/vicious or injured animals in a humane manner, as authorized by supervisor or department procedures.  
5. Assists in unloading animals that the Animal Control Officers or citizens bring to the Animal Care Facility for holding. Properly checks animals into the system as needed and houses the animal(s) in the appropriate kennel.
6. Prepares and maintains records required by the Animal Care Facility.
7. Assists public with inquires to include adoption, surrender, and relaying concerns to Animal Control Officers for potential calls for service.
8. Follow City and Department policies and procedures and the instructions of his or her supervisor.
9. Communicate effectively with supervisors, co-workers and others (internally and externally) in order to provide, exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, address issues, or resolve and/or report problems or complaints.
10. Use good judgment and make good decisions in matters related to the job.
11. Is helpful, cooperative and courteous, and demonstrates a good attitude in all dealings with the public, co-workers and others.
12. Report in a timely manner all issues, concerns and questions to the supervisor or others as appropriate in the chain of command.
13. Punctual, regular, on-site, in-person attendance is a requirement of the job; work outside of normal working hours as required and be on call and available for duty during emergency periods as defined by City Council, the City Manager or the Department Director.
14. Dress appropriately and in compliance with the City Policy.
15. Demonstrate initiative and diligence in the prompt and proper completion of all job duties, whether or not listed in this Job Description.
16. Safeguard City property and recognize and report needed repairs.
17. Work safely, follow safety rules and training, wear personal protective devices when required and maintain a clean, safe work environment.
18. Maintain confidentiality with regard to all City business.
19. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education and Basic Requirements

1. High School Diploma or GED and the ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with graduation from high school or its equivalent.  
2. Ability to handle animals safely and effectively.
3. Have and maintain a clear and valid Texas Class C Motor Vehicle Operators License with an acceptable driving record.    
4. Successfully complete various background checks, pre-employment medical/physical test(s), drug test and driver’s license check.
5. Certification as State of Texas Certified Euthanasia Technician or the ability to obtain within 120 days of employment.  

Other Requirements

The Animal Care Shelter Technician must have significant knowledge, skills and/or abilities in:

1. Knowledge of effective methods of controlling and containing domestic animals.
2. Ability to humanely euthanize animals and dispose of them properly.
3. Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions (request clarification when needed), departmental policy, rules, regulations and law.
4. Ability to write legibly.
5. Knowledge of general office procedures and skill in operating general office equipment, including a calculator, fax machine, copier, and utilizing computers using Microsoft Office products, Internet Explorer and Animal Care Facility Programs.
6. Ability to provide quality customer service to both external and internal customers.
7. Skill in basic mathematical calculations.
8. Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers, employees in other City departments, outside agencies and the general public with a courteous and professional demeanor.
9. Be available for work before and after scheduled hours and for callback as needed.

Physical Requirements

The Animal Care Shelter Technician must be able to perform the following physical requirements safely, with or without reasonable accommodation.

1. Sit, stand, walk, run, move around, bend, reach, stretch, push and pull and remain upright for extended periods of time.
2. Must be able to lift or move objects weighing as much as fifty (50) pounds.
3. Ability to work effectively under pressure/stress and deadlines.
4. Ability to work outside in inclement weather, including but not limited to high and low temperatures, high humidity, rain and snow.
5. Ability to work in enclosed spaces.
6. Ability to understand, learn, remember and communicate information about the job.
7. Ability to understand the meaning of and use and speak words understandably and effectively in the English language.
8. Good hearing and listening abilities, that is, must be able to hear spoken words from co-workers, supervisors and others.
9. Good motor coordination skills, that is, must be able to coordinate his or her eyes, hands and fingers rapidly and accurately in order to handle precise movements such as driving and in response to visual, auditory and other stimuli.
10. Ability to euthanize.
11. Ability to work around animals, i.e. allergies, cat/dog feces, and fear of animals
12. The activities and the approximate amounts of time required per day for each are shown below. The individual amounts may not sum to one-hundred (100) percent.
13.   Sitting - 10%
14. Standing - 20%
15. Walking - 20%
16. Running - 5%
17. Bending - 20%
18. Reaching - 5%
19. Stretching - 5%
20. Lifting and moving objects up to fifty (50) pounds -5%
21. Pushing or pulling - 10%
22. Moving within and without the office environment - 40%