Animal Care Tech / Office Assistant

JOB
This position must first be proficient as an Animal Care Technician (ACT), as being required to perform in that capacity is expected, and a priority when necessary. When not performing as an ACT, the employee in this position will be an Office Assistant. This is an Essential Personnel Position and attendance is required during all weather extremes or environmental emergencies, to care for animals in the Shelter. Receives direction from and reports to the Animal Shelter Director. The Animal Care Technician (ACT) is responsible for maintaining a safe and sanitary facility for animals and people in accordance with all statutes, ordinances, and regulations pursuant to the operation of pounds and the sheltering of animals. Lawful, proper, and humane care of animals shall be their primary responsibility. Assures all animals' nutrition, sanitary housing and basic medical needs are met on a daily basis. Proper performance of duties is essential to preserve the health of animals and to prevent the spread of disease within the shelter. Assists the public when reclaiming, adopting or admitting animals and promotes responsible pet ownership in conversations with customers. The Animal Care Technician-Office Assistant works a rotating schedule of weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS - ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIANResponsible for duties related to the daily care of Shelter animals to include cleaning and disinfecting of the animal holding areas and walkways.Perform continual maintenance and housekeeping duties to include minor repairs and upkeep of the Shelter workrooms and public areas.Reports equipment in need of repair or replacement to the Animal Shelter Director. Assure that animals receive species and age specific food in sufficient quantity and water. Provide safe and humane handling of animals in the Shelter.Observes and evaluate animals for signs of illness or injury and reports symptoms to Animal Shelter Supervisor.Dispense medications as prescribed and directed, and verify that animals have swallowed oral medications.Assist in performing health and behavior evaluations on individual animals. Assist in photographing animals for adoption promotion efforts.Assist in administering scheduled vaccinations and treatments.Performs euthanasia procedure.Bathe and groom any animals that need special attention.Exercise, socialize and train Shelter animals. Wash, dry, fold and put away laundry.Performs routine spot-checks and sanitation of animal holding areas throughout the day to maintain cleanliness.Remove and dispose of feces in the outside exercise yards and around the outside of the facility. Assist with inventory and restocking supplies.Monitor visitors to the Shelter for the safety of citizens and animals.Assist customers who are seeking lost pets and those interested in adopting. Respond to questions about the adoption process and specific animals. Assist customers in reclaiming their animals, or in completing adoption applications.Assist with the intake of animals, and maintains accurate records.Animal Care Technicians are responsible for observing how animals interact with various people and other animals. They shall advise the Animal Shelter Manager regarding any animal that is unusually withdrawn or that displays aggression towards people or other animals.The Animal Care Technician-Office Assistant works a rotating schedule of weekdays, weekends, and holidays.Within 6 months in position, complete the State Euthanasia Technician Classroom course, and certify with the Shelter's supervising veterinarian as a Euthanasia Technician.After 1 year in position, successfully complete the VDACS Animal Facility Operator School Assist in the training and development of Shelter volunteers.Assist in presenting educational programs on responsible pet ownership, spay/neuter, etc. Assist with office/clerical tasks as may be required.Performs related shelter duties as required. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS-OFFICE ASSISTANT The Office Assistant is responsible for opening and closing the lobby, greeting visitors to the Shelter, answering the telephone, checking and responding to the Shelter's email, manage both the hard copy and digital filing systems as required by State Law, retrieve documents and files when requested, light accounting duties.Assist with animal care tasks as necessary.Maintain filing and storage systems for State required recordkeeping.Transport animals to and from the veterinarian for surgery or medical appointments.Customer-facing duties, greet upon arrival to the Shelter and help with their inquiries. Accurately complete Animal Fact Sheets when citizens turn animals into Shelter.Answer the telephone and assist with customer inquiries.Accurately complete lost and found animal reports; maintain the animal lost and found report filing system to keep current.Loan cat traps to citizens, explain procedures, complete form, follow up with citizen.Register citizens for the monthly spay/neuter clinic. Before clinic, call each registrant to confirm participation and give pre-surgery instructions. Compile list of clients and their pet's descriptions and email to surgery clinic.Check Shelter email and respond appropriately to inquiries. Create, edit, and update spreadsheets.Verify daily receipts and monies, and monthly collections with Shelter Manager.Process animal adoption applications according to policy, procedures and State and Local Laws. Prepare adoption contracts, make arrangements for required veterinary procedures, schedule pick up date/time with adopter.Execute adoption contract with adopter, explain legal requirements, vouchers for vet services, collect fees, and write receipts.Process reclaim of animals by owners; verify rabies vaccination status, sell licenses, collect fees, and write receipts.Contact animal adopters by telephone 3 to 5 days after pet adoption to discuss settling in and any concerns.Complete and prepare for mailing post adoption questionnaires to adopters 30 days after adoption.Verify each month compliance with spay/neuter requirement for adopted pets; assist with information needed for monthly veterinarian invoices.Tallies monthly mileage journal for department County vehicle. Assist in compiling the monthly and annual Animal Activities Report.Complete monthly supplies inventories. Inventory and order food supplies weekly.Network with other releasing agencies regarding the transfer of Shelter animals into their programs for permanent placement. Make arrangements for transfer of particular pets and complete required paperwork.Photograph animals for adoption and post on the Shelter's Petfinder and Facebook pages. Keep these sites up-to-date as animals move out of the Shelter.Creates flyers and electronically disseminates information to local newspapers and media sites regarding Shelter programs, pet's featured for adoption, donation needs, and adoption specials. Assists in scheduling community service workers and volunteers; tasking out these workers; verifies community service workers hours.Emails requests for maintenance for the RAS Facility. Prepares invoices for court cases.Work every third Saturday and Wednesday evening until 6 p.m. as an ACT and Office Assistant.Within 6 months in position, complete the State Euthanasia Technician Classroom course, and certify with the Shelter's supervising veterinarian as a Euthanasia Technician.Within 1 year in position, successfully complete the VDACS Animal Facility Operator School. Assist in the training and development of Shelter volunteers.Assist in presenting educational programs on responsible pet ownership, spay/neuter, bite prevention, etc.Supports the Animal Control Program's as necessary.Assist in the training of new employees and Animal Control Officers.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Tasks involve the ability to exert moderate, though not constant, physical effort, typically involving some combination of driving, walking, climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which involves the lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (up to 50 pounds). EMPLOYEE UTILIZATION IN ADVERSE WEATHER AND EMERGENCY CONDITIONS All King William County employees are subject to being assigned to specific positions and tasks during a “Declared Emergency” as support personnel, by the County Administrator. Once assigned, this would be the same as a regular work assignment and all policies and procedures for duty assignments apply. **Potential candidates will be required to complete drug testing, driving and background checks.The foregoing is intended as a general description of job responsibilities and performance expectations and does not constitute a contract for employment between the employee and the County of King William, Virginia.