Kennel Worker, (B252931-3), 202, Animal Control

Prevention of zoonotic diseases, reponsible and humane pet care and pet safety in a municipal animal care facility. Maintains, upkeeps, cleans, and disinfects animal kennels, grounds, clinic, and buildings in the City of Laredo Animal Care Facility, feeds and cares for pets and assures a humane treatment of pets that are impounded and/or sheltered.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Assures pets are cared for and attended too in a humane and healthy sheltering.
• Provides humane care for pets when impounded and/or sheltered (feeding, care, kennel sanitation, and disinfection of pets).
• Maintains strict records of animals impounded and sheltered.
• Checks on all kennels and animals upon arrival; notes whether animals look healthy and have been eating and drinking normally; immediately notifies the Animal Care & Control Supervisor or designee of any animal that shows any signs of illness, potential health, or behavioral problems involving the animals.
• Feeds and waters animals using City of Laredo Animal Care Services Department  protocols on pet care and management, following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for care and feeding as per Texas Administrative Code and City of Laredo Animal Care Services Department.
• Collects all feeding and watering bowls/pails from all kennels, cleans kennels and washes feeding bowls and watering bowls/pails following the appropriate procedures.
• Cleans, washes, and disinfects animal kennels and cages following City of Laredo Animal Care Services Department Standard Operating Procedures and in such a manner as to provide an odor free and low stress environment for the animals.
• Disinfects animals with insecticide to prevent flee and tick infection following strict infection control Standard Operating Procedures to assure healthy and humane care.
• Assists Animal Control Officers and City Veterinarian with all health care, vaccinations, and prevention efforts.
• Assists with observation and quarantine care and pet care management as per Standard Operating Procedures and under the direction of the Animal Control Officer, records observations in appropriate control data sheets, assists in facilitation of preventive measures against animal, vector, and other zoonotic exposures.
• Assures pets are protected against environmental exposures and provides maintenance and support for spay and neuter and adoption services.
• Inspects and examines dog licenses or any other animal or vector certificate for validity of prevention measures and works with Animal Control Officers and City Staff to assure efficient facility operations for humane treatment and management of animals in impoundment and/or sheltered.
• Cleans offices, empties trash, mops floors, cleans restrooms and disposes of all solid waste as per protocols, and disposes euthanized pets in a humane manner.
• May assist euthanasia technician and assures appropriate maintenance of euthanasia clinic.
• Ensures all equipment and supplies for kennel work animal care, facility operations is operational, maintained, and inventorized.
• Maintains good communication between staff, visitors and other business contacts.
• Must follow all rules of telephone courtesy in all telephone communications.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of humane animal keeping practices for care and management in an animal care facility.
• Knowledge of kennel sanitation, feeding, and care of animals in an animal care facility.
• Knowledge of kennel maintenance and animal care facility grounds keeping practices.
• Knowledge of animal disinfection, pet management, transferring from animal control to facility keeping practices.
• Ability to perform animal impoundment and sheltering keeping practices that may be strenuous, but routine.
• Ability to plan, organize, and maintain schedules for management of pets in a pound (care, holding, observation, assist with euthanasia, and plant facility maintenance).
• Ability to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees and respond to general public complaints.
• Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo, address the public and peers courteously and responsibly.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English and Spanish language.
• Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills for animal care and facility.
• Ability to maintain a valid Texas Drivers License and a good driving record.
• Ability to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Physical Effort Requirements Position will have the following exposures

• Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk.
• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.

Work Environment Locations Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments  

 Seldom

• Construction site
• Warehouse environment

 Sometimes

• Office or similar indoor environment
• Warehouse environment

 Frequently

• Street environment (near moving traffic)

Often

• Outdoor environment
• Confined space 

Exposures Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements

Seldom

• Moving mechanical parts

Sometimes

• Individuals who are hostile or irate
• Individuals with known violent backgrounds

Often

• Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
• Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
• Communicable diseases
• Fumes or airborne particles
• Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances
• Loud noises (85 decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)

Travel Position will require the employee to travel

 Never:

• National travel
• International travel

 

Seldom:

• Regional travel

Sometimes:

• Local travel

Required Education and Experience
At least one (1) year of general experience.

Proof of TB Test/Screening will be required to be presented prior to employment.     

Rabies Pre-Exposure Vaccines must be obtained within one (1) month of employment. Continued employment is contingent on successfully obtaining required vaccinations within the specified period of time indicated from time of hire.Required Licenses or Certifications

• Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.

As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.

Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.

Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7482 two days prior to the scheduled test or interview.

 

Salary : $15