Under the general supervision of the Animal Services Coordinator or Animal Services Shelter Manager, provides routine care, exercise, basic training and medical treatment to animals in the shelter; cares for animals and assesses them for adoptability; assists in the placement of, or provides for the humane euthanasia of shelter animals; assists veterinarians in the medical treatment of or spay or neuter of animals; assists in developing protocols and implementing programs to maintain kennels in a sanitary and disease-free condition; and performs other duties as required.
This is the journey level classification in the care of animals at the Animal Services Authority and may serve as a lead worker to less experienced animal care staff. Responsibilities include directing and carrying out the humane euthanasia of animals according to established procedures; assisting in developing and maintaining health care and sanitation programs within the animal shelter; and assessing the adoptability or redemption of animals after their required holding periods.
Assists veterinarians in providing health care to shelter animals; may assist veterinarians in performing surgery; conducts physical examination of shelter animals to make a preliminary assessment of the nature of illness or injury; takes and records temperature, pulse, and respiration; collects and labels specimens for culture or microscopic examination; administers medications and immunizations; may oversee daily medications dispensing; determines correct procedures and substances to inject for the disposal of animals and injects animals for the purpose of euthanasia; maintains inventory of all pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies; maintains records and reports; oversees and provides training to Animal Care Workers, work-release inmates, and volunteers; participates in deploying protocols for maintaining sanitary kennels and shelter facilities; prepares food and feeds shelter animals; cleans kennels and helps maintain kennels and shelter facilities; receives animals and separates for observation all animals that show signs of rabies or other diseases; assists the public in claiming, obtaining, and licensing animals; exercises and provides basic training to shelter animals; maintains effective working relationships with other agencies and the public; conducts behavioral examinations of animals at the end of their required holding period to evaluate adoptability; transports animals, supplies and equipment as directed; may inject microchips into animals; and other tasks as assigned.
Working knowledge of:
- Physical and behavioral characteristics of common domestic animals and livestock;
- The proper care and handling of domestic animals;
- The physical and behavioral characteristics of domestic animals;
- Breed identification;
- The symptoms of rabies and other common animal diseases;
- The safe and accurate handling of animal care medical and euthanasia equipment;
- The various techniques of safe and humane euthanasia of animals;
- Adoption guidelines and procedures;
- Definitions and common working application of adoptability and redemption standards;
- State laws and local ordinances relating to the care, treatment, and impounding of animals;
- Methods to properly clean the areas, kennels, cages, and equipment that are the responsibility of the Animal Care group.
- May assist Animal Services Coordinator by interfacing with existing and potential foster homes.
Some knowledge of:
- Methods, techniques, medications and pharmaceuticals used in the care and treatment of domestic animals;
- Basic animal related surgical procedures in order to assist a Veterinarian.
Ability to:
- Handle animals properly and safely and perform work in a humane manner;
- Conduct euthanasia of animals by direct injection;
- Recognize symptoms of rabies and other common diseases of animals;
- Properly complete necessary forms;
- Work tactfully and effectively with co-workers, staff of other agencies working with animals, and the general public;
- With the assistance of Manager, develop and foster cooperative working relationships with veterinarians in the community;
- Vaccinate animals;
- Move heavy, immobilized or resistant animals;
- Transport animals, supplies or equipment;
- Maintain inventories of food and supplies, and advise Shelter Manager of the need to order supplies;
- Collect and record fees;
- Operate a personal computer for entering animal related data;
- Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers;
- Communicate effectively with animal control, and other animal services staff, other agencies, and the public, at times under stressful conditions;
- Recognize symptoms of animal-related diseases, in order to separate for observation animals showing any signs of rabies or other animal related diseases;
- Administer basic first aid;
- Handle animal carcasses;
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and work experience that would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Two years of experience performing animal health care tasks for domestic animals in a veterinary office or animal shelter.
A valid Registered Veterinary Technician license issued by the California State Veterinary Medical Board may be substituted for the required experience.
Special Requirements, Conditions:
Training: Incumbent must attend and pass the Euthanasia by Injection certification course within the first six months of hire.
License: Incumbent must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License.
Hours: Availability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and/or holidays, and rotational on-call duty as required.
Lifting: Incumbent must be able to lift, push/pull or carry up to 50 lbs unassisted.
Special Working Conditions: Exposure to animals who may be hostile or dangerous and exposure to animal feces and urine. Incumbents will be encouraged to undergo a pre-rabies vaccination series.