Animal Care Technician

Animal Care Technician

Performs technical and routine animal care and related duties at the County's animal care center. Administers vaccines, intakes examinations, temperaments testing and performs humane euthanasia. Assists in cleaning and maintaining kennel areas and performs related care center 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.

Essential Job Functions

Receives, examines and vaccinates animals. Administers medicines, conducts health exams and administers first-aid when necessary.

Performs humane euthanasia and disposes of dead animals.

Operates animal crematorium.

Maintains and updates data files with pertinent information on animal intake, health information etc. on animals received and in the care center.

Handles animals safely and makes determinations regarding their disposition.

Cleans kennels, feeds animals and performs related housekeeping duties.

Performs care center duties including taking reports from the public, receiving animals brought to the shelter, preparing adoption paperwork, reclaiming animals to their owners, preparing paperwork to transfer animals to other organizations, and transporting animals to veterinarians.

Decapitates animals for rabies testing.

Performs humane education at schools and at the care center.

Maintains proper inventory levels of cleaning and other supplies. Informs supervisor when reordering is necessary.

Performs behavior assessments on all adoptable/rescuable animals prior to placement.

Transports animals to/from vet offices as assigned.

Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience: High school diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED). Two (2) years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training.

Licenses or Certifications: Must possess a valid driver's license. Certification in humane euthanasia.

Special Requirements/Qualifications: Must be willing to receive Rabies pre-exposure and Tetanus vaccinations.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.

Work is subject to frequent interruptions.

Subject to work weekends, holidays and beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic technical procedures used in giving vaccines, medications, and euthanizing animals.
• Knowledge of basic animal care and identification of various animal species.
• Ability to carry out daily assignments, follow through on matters, and use independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with standard recurring situations.
• Ability to handle animals safely and effectively
• Ability to properly administer vaccinations, perform health exams and humane euthanasia.
• Ability to clean kennels and other areas of the care center.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 70 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer or keyboards; and requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is performed in office and care center surroundings and the worker is subject to work outside in a variety of weather conditions. Worker is continuously exposed to chemicals, zoonotic diseases, and subject to injuries at any given time.

Department/Division: Department of Emergency Services/Animal Care Center

Pay Grade: 108

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: No

Reports To: Animal Care Manager

Supervises: None

Benefits

Charles County Government BENEFITS SUMMARY

Health Insurance Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage. Flexible Spending Account Provides medical and dependent care options. Supplemental Income Products Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy. Long Term Disability Insurance No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month. Life Insurance No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available. Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan — Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory. Deferred Compensation Plan 457(b) Governmental Plan — Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked. Employee Leave • Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO). • The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. • Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees. Transfer of Sick Leave New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment. Work Schedules • Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework. Additional Fringe Benefits • Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period • Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility. • House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers. • Free, Employee Wellness Programs • Legal Resources (prepaid benefit) • Pet Insurance • Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling) Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2026