Animal Shelter Attendant

Summary:

The Animal Shelter Attendant will work under the general direction of the Animal Shelter Supervisor on Animal Handling and Care. The Animal Shelter Supervisor will provide guidance to the Animal Shelter Attendants with regard to animal care, sanitation, supply inventory, supply cleaning, maintenance of spaces, record keeping, customer service and related duties at the County Animal Shelter. The work involves taking concerns, cleaning and maintaining kennel areas, and performing other related Shelter duties. Workers carry out daily assignments, follow through on matters, and use independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with standard recurring situations and compliance with State regulations.

Essential Functions:

1) Physical Spaces, Animal Handling and Care (85%)

a) Provides care for animals in the Shelter including feeding, watering, cleaning and monitoring animal behavior.

b) Monitors conditions of animals and implements precautionary measures in order to prevent disease transmission.

c) Maintains animal medications, vaccinations, and daily animal care as required.

d) Maintains Shelter in clean and orderly condition. This includes cleaning and disinfecting enclosures, floors and related areas in accordance with established practices.

e) Performs or assists with euthanizing animals as appropriate.

f) Receives, lifts, controls and places animal in enclosures.

g) Drives animals to and from other locations safely and timely.

2) Customer Service, Relationships and Record Keeping (15%)

a) Provides assistance to customers wishing to adopt an animal; escorts customers through the Shelter; responds to and directs questions regarding adoption procedures.

b) Establishes relationships and works proactively with Animal Rescue groups.

c) Establishes and maintains a positive working atmosphere with community volunteers.

d) Documents and maintains records concerning medications, vaccinations, and daily animal care.

e) Provides general office assistance such as answering phones, performs data entry, or other related duties as assigned.

f) Maintains file of confined animals including disposition of each animal.

g) Prepares and maintains a variety of files and filing systems; reviews and verifies records and documents.

h) Prepares memorandums, correspondence and reports as required.

i) Subject to 24 hour call for Shelter emergencies.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic methods and procedures of animal care and housing;
• Knowledge of basic methods of maintaining and cleaning kennels and other physical spaces related to animal care and housing.
• Ability to maintain a safe and sanitary work environment;

• Ability to handle animals in a safe and humane manner without personal injury

• Ability to lift, move, control or otherwise handle heavy, immobilized or resistant animals

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions;

• Ability to tactfully respond to requests and inquiries from the general public;

• Ability to perform tasks without direct supervision

• Demonstrated interest in animals.

• Must not have a fear of handling animals.

• Ability to interpret and apply policies and provide guidance to others on departmental policies, procedures, and services.

• Ability to follow Shelter protocols under the direction of the Animal Shelter Supervisor.

• Ability to learn, comprehend, and understand Virginia State Anima Shelter regulations.

• Must have a proven ability to maintain professional ethics.

• Must also have a proven ability to maintain confidentiality.

• Knowledge and an understanding of occupational hazards and safety precautions of Animal Shelter work.

• Excellent communication skills to deal with a broad range of customers, both in person and over the telephone.

• Mathematical skills required to make mathematical computations with accuracy.

• Knowledge of best practices of office procedures, English, grammar, and punctuation.

• Requires regular attendance, and the ability to adhere to County policies and procedures when requesting time off work.

  The flexibility to adjust the work schedule to accommodate the needs of the County, including working evenings and weekends, and occasional holidays, as required, is essential.

Education, Training and Experience:

The position requires a High School Diploma. One year of experience in Animal Shelter care, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Working Conditions:

• Environmental: Work is typically performed in an indoor/outdoor setting. The regular workweek is Tuesday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. with a thirty minute lunch break. This position will require a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the Department and the County to include evening, weekend and occasional holiday hours.
• Physical Effort: The work is performed in office and Shelter surroundings. Typical position requires workers to walk or stand for long periods of time; exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; climb, crawl, kneel or stoop to perform Shelter duties.
• Hazards: Employee is subject to both inside and outside conditions: activities occur inside and outside in approximately equal amounts. Exposure to inclement weather. Exposure to dirt, air contaminants, animals, temperature extremes, noise, and toxic materials/chemicals. Exposure to animal bites.

Special Conditions or Requirements:

• Must be willing to submit to a criminal background and Motor Vehicles check.
• Must consent to drug testing consistent with Louisa County’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License.
• Must maintain a driving record consistent with insurance industry standards in order to drive a County vehicle.

License or Certifications:

Training and Certification in humane chemical euthanasia of animals within 1 year of employment.

Disclaimer:

This information is of a general nature, and is not intended to be a comprehensive description of each and every duty. This position is also responsible for performing other duties as assigned.

Revised: September, 2020

EOE