Animal Shelter Clerk

Works under the supervision of the Deputy Director. The Animal Shelter Clerk serves as the primary point of contact for citizens to adopt, redeem, and surrender animals. This position also staffs special assignments such as coordinating with Shelter volunteers, fosters, and animal welfare organizations.

1. Responds to public inquiries and complaints and explains departmental policies and the laws and ordinances related to animal control. Documents complaints and forwards them to appropriate staff.  Refers calls to other agencies as appropriate.
2. Interacts with the public regarding stray and surrendered animals brought and into retrieved from ICACS, processes associated paperwork and collects applicable fees.
3. Performs data entry on animals brought into and housed at ICACS.
4. Performs adoptions for animals from ICACS, including: Explanation of adoption process to customers, conducting adoption interviews, preparation of necessary records and collection of fees.
5. Sells dog licenses, inputs license information and collects fees on behalf of the Ingham County Treasurer’s Office.
6. Communicates and corresponds with potential animal owners for stray animals brought into ICACS.
7. Maintains the lost-and-found register. 
8. Performs data entry and query involving essential job functions.
9. At the direction of the Office Coordinator, trains new clerks in department policies and procedures.
10. Handles animals coming into or leaving the shelter in the absence of other staff. 
11. Processes animal bite reports received by ICACS. 

• Takes part in rotating or temporary special assignments to include:

• Responds to public inquiry regarding the foster program, screens and processes foster applications and trains new Shelter fosters.
• Maintains records of active fosters for ICACS.
• Tracks animal progress while in foster and coordinates veterinary care for said animals.
• Provides timely response to questions and concerns to fosters and provides information regarding animal care.

• Responds to public inquiry regarding the volunteer program, screens and processes volunteer applications and hosts training sessions for new volunteers.
• Maintains roster of current ICACS volunteers and their activities.
• Communicates with existing volunteers by phone, electronic communication and social media.
• Coordinates with other divisions within the Shelter to provide volunteer support for daily operations and special events.
• Provides the Outreach Manager with volunteer related information that is to be distributed to the public through media outlets and the Shelter website.
• Updates volunteers on new ICACS policies and practices.

• Responds to public inquiry regarding the ICACS community cat program including providing information on trap neuter and release and effectively managing community cats.
• Communicates with citizens and the ICACS medical team to organize intake and release for ICACS trap neuter and release events.

• Responds to public inquiry regarding requests for assistance in accessing free or low costs resources related to pet ownership and care.
• Directs citizens towards appropriate resources aimed at keeping animals in their homes.

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• During a public health emergency, the employee may be required to perform duties similar to but not limited to those in their job description.
• Must adhere to departmental standards in regard to confidentiality and other privacy issues.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a timely manner, change focus on projects as needed and multitask.
• Dependable and regular attendance required.
• Ability to handle stressful situations on an occasional basis.
• Ability to maintain excellent customer service during stressful situations.

Education: A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent education is required.

Experience: A minimum of one year of customer service experience.  

Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with individuals from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, disability status’, ages, LGBTQIA status’ and genders to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.

Working Conditions:

• Works in office conditions and the animal shelter. 
• Regular exposure to animal odors and noises. 
• Exposure to disease and parasites communicated by animals. 
• Exposure to the risk of being bitten by animals. 
• Exposure to animal feces and urine. 
• Exposure to fumes from cleaning products.

Physical Requirements: 

• This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.  
• This position’s physical requirements require periodic stamina in twisting, bending, stooping,/crouching, squatting, kneeling, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, grasping, handling and pinching.
• This position’s physical requirements require regular stamina in sitting, standing, typing and enduring repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
• This position performs medium work requiring the ability to exert between 20-50 pounds of force in the physical requirements above.
• This position primarily requires close visual acuity to perform tasks within arm’s reach such as: viewing a computer screen, using measurement devices, inspecting and assembling parts, etc.
• This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries both in person and over the phone.
• This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter & retrieve information from a computer.
• This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.

(This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the requirements listed above. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.)

UAW E

November 2024

Salary : $41,401