ANIMAL CARETAKER

Department / Division: CENTRAL SERVICES / ANIMAL CONTROL
Non-Exempt
CLASSIFICATION: Personnel System
PAY GRADE: 7

Purpose of Job

The purpose of this job is to process impounded or surrendered animals. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, monitoring and assisting in maintaining animal health, assisting in maintenance of the kennel facility, keeping inventory of feed and other animal care supplies, supervising community service workers, and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Processes impounded or surrendered animals, including vaccinations, photographing, ID tagging, filling out a kennel sheet, completing an animal impound form, placing the animal in the kennel and making a data base entry describing the animal. Monitors animal health, including performing basic animal husbandry and first-aid procedures as well as identifying common animal diseases. Assists the Animal Control Supervisor in maintaining a sanitary and clean kennel by ensuring that proper sanitizing procedures are used by inmates and volunteers, assisting customers in the kennel, and handling animals in the kennel as needed to maintain safety. Crosschecks the lost and found database, newspapers, and other sources against animals in the shelter in order to reunite lost animals with their owners. Keeps inventory and advises when to reorder feed, vaccinations, sanitation supplies, and other kennel supplies. Supervises inmate labor. Supervises and assigns work to Community Service Workers. Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the Animal Control Division and Central Services Department as they relate to the position of Animal Caretaker. Knowledge of the terminology used within the department. Knowledge of basic animal husbandry and first-aid procedures. Knowledge of and ability to use computer and database software. Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and other staff members. Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize daily assignments and work activities. Able to comprehend and apply regulations and procedures of the department. Able to identify common animal diseases.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

High school diploma or equivalent required or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Must possess or be able to obtain Basic Security Officer Training (BSOT) within one year of date of hire.

(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, computer, animal traps, restraint poles, transport vehicles, bolt cutters, snake tongs, muzzles, animal stretcher and dart gun. Must be able to use body members to climb, stoop, balance, carry, push and pull objects or animals. Must be able to exert up to 30 pounds of force frequently and up to 60 pounds occasionally. The physical demands of the work required by this position are of moderate physical stress and considered to be at a medium physical demand level.

DATA CONCEPTION:

Requires the ability to compare andor judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, animals, or things.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION:

Requires the ability to speak andor signal people andor animals to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments from co-workers, assistants, or supervisors.

LANGUAGE ABILITY:

Requires the ability to reach a variety of forms, informational documentation, directions, methods, or procedures. Requires the ability to complete reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.

INTELLIGENCE:

Requires the ability to learn and understand basic principles and techniques to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation and to make independent judgement in the absence of management.

VERBAL APTITUDE:

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical, or professional languages including veterinary.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE:

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas add and subtract totals and multiply and divide. FORMSPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with various animal control devices and office equipment.

MOTOR COORDINATION:

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using animal control or office equipment or in performing tasks.

MANUAL DEXTERITY:

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as animal control devices and office equipment. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eyehandfoot coordination.

COLOR DISCRIMINATION:

May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT:

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency. Must be adaptable to managing conflict on a routine basis. Must be adaptable to coping with the grief associated with animal euthanasia.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION:

Requires the ability to talk andor hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). div alignright Parsed RTF file OK

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