Animal Shelter Technician

GENERAL PURPOSE

Performs routine and technical services related to the maintenance, upkeep and improvements of the shelter, health, welfare, care and wellbeing of animals at the shelter responding to citizen complaints under specific circumstances.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports to the Animal Control Supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises autonomy and sound judgement over tasks as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Cleans kennel and surrounding work areas within the shelter in accordance with proper disease control procedures and requirements.
• Ensures welfare and proper care of animals within the shelter facility is maintained in all phases of shelter operations.
• Performs routine maintenance and ground keeping duties on shelter facility.
• Assists animal control officer (s) in performing euthanasia of animals in accordance with applicable animal control ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Provides information to the public by use of the telephone and in person regarding receiving and releasing animals, locating lost and found animals, and adoption of animals.
• Issues licenses and writes citations, redeems, impounds, and adopts animals by collecting the required fees.
• Inputs computer records and maintains all required documents, reports, forms, etc.
• Receives complaints in person and via telephone and radio dispatches by priority to the proper agency and personnel.
• Coordinates all activities at the shelter and in the field with the agency and personnel regarding citizen complaints and animal disposition.
• Makes budget recommendations to the supervisor regarding the maintenance, upkeep, and improvements at the shelter. Maintains running log on budget expenditures and balances during each budget fiscal year.
• With the approval of the supervisor, obtains purchase orders and orders shelter supplies.
• Accounts for all monies received at the shelter in accordance with the city policies and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

1.- High School Diploma or equivalent and twelve (12) months of experience working with animals or in a field closely related to these duties, OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

2.- Must have a valid Texas Driver's License.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of laws and regulations of the State, County and City that are applicable to the animal control program, proper cleaning techniques for kennels, animal behavior and handling techniques, first aid for injured, sick, or possible contagious animal, rabies control, animal nutrition, maintenance of equipment used in animal handling and shelter operation, animal segregation, isolation, euthanasia methods, filling system and computer terminal operations.
• Ability to relate both verbally and in written form to members of the public and the Department.
• Ability to work directly with emotional and aggrieved people.
• Ability to confidently handle aggressive, vicious and/or dangerous animals.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

May be on call 24 hours a day.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer, spreadsheets, 10-key calculator, phone, radio, copy machine, fax machine, animal capture vehicle, Patrol vehicle, first aid equipment, etc.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear. Occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, controls, and equipment. Reach hands and arms climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and/or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those and employees typically encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is generally performed outside weather conditions, and inside buildings including but limited to confined spaces, open fields, residential and commercial structures. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts in high, precarious places exposed to wet, dry, hot cold, windy, and humid conditions. The noise level in the fieldwork environment is typically moderate.