KENNEL TECHNICIAN I:
Walker County Animal Shelter has an opening for an Animal Care Technician.
Job Summary:
This position will begin with basic duties such sorting, cleaning and assisting with animals. Good customer service is also a must. This is an entry level, hourly position, but is full-time with benefits.
We are looking for someone who will be able to grow in the job, developing competencies and responsibilities. This position does require working closely with a variety of animals who have assorted temperaments and in changing environments. Some weekend work will be required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Clean and disinfect cages, runs and yards using hoses and spray bottles of disinfectant.
- Feed, walk, exercise, and bathe animals in our care.
- Walk through the kennel areas checking each animal individually for any abnormal activity such as vomiting, diarrhea or blood in the cage or run.
- Report all abnormal activity to supervisors.
- Assist other staff members on occasion with such tasks as helping restrain an aggressive or sick animal and helping clients with their pets.
- Assist with euthanasia events.
- Mark charts correctly for eating, drinking, fecal and urine production.
- Administer medications and vaccinations to animals that require medical treatment.
- Record medication instructions on the kennel medication board.
- Clean up after animals both inside and outside the facility and clean animal runs and cages as needed.
- Clean cat litter boxes.
- Clean and disinfect all food and water bowls.
- Pick up soiled bedding and move it to laundry area.
- Place clean bedding in cages with animals or on maintenance shelf for future use.
- Operate washer and dryer to clean kennel bedding and hospital laundry
- Maintain the shelter as a whole by performing tasks including, but not limited to, sweeping/mopping floors, wiping counters, taking out trash, cleaning bathrooms, cleaning windows, and checking equipment and supplies.
- Other duties as assigned. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCES
High School diploma or GED preferred and one year experience in a veterinary office, kennel, shelter or similar environment.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Effectively communicate in the English language both orally and in writing.
- Accurately add, subtract, multiply and divide.
- Carry out instructions furnished in oral, written or diagram form.
- Maintain confidence around pets.
- Provide excellent customer service to citizens at all times, especially in stressful circumstances, by providing friendly interaction with clients and animals to ensure customer satisfaction.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
- Must have valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Kennel Technician II’s job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential duties of this job.
While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to regularly stand for extended periods, to frequently walk, stoop, kneel, crouch and lift or move up to 35 pounds frequently and 75 pounds occasionally. Pulling, pushing, tugging and towing when transporting animals by leash or in cages is also performed on a frequent basis. Some larger canine breeds may exceed 100 pounds. Larger animals should always be handled by two or more staff members.
Exposure to dangerous and fractious animals, animal bites and scratches is common, so the need for restraint of temperamental, aggressive and sick animals will occur on a regular basis. The physical agility and mental acuity to handle these sudden and potentially dangerous situations is a must, especially when euthanasia is required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to a noise level that is moderate to loud. Use of and exposure to strong cleaning chemicals and disinfectants, allergens and zoonotic disease occurs daily. Part of the job requires working without the aid of air conditioning and heating for periods of time, as duties occur both inside and outside year round, in a variety of weather conditions.
This position is also required to work weekends and holidays.
STANDARDS FOR MEASURING PERFORMANCE
- Successful development and implementation of objectives; continuous growth in service provided.
- Appropriate and positive interaction with staff, management, volunteers, the public, community groups and professional associates.
- Accomplishment of job functions in an effective and timely manner.
- Proficiency in oral and written communication.
- Effectiveness in establishing priorities, working on multiple assignments and concurrent projects.
- Exercise of sound judgment in the absence of specific guidelines.
- Demonstrated ability to thoroughly analyze problems to meet demanding and changing deadlines in spite of interruptions.
- Adherence to established policies and procedures.