Animal Care Attendant I

Kennel Technician(s) (Animal Care Attendant I)

As of July 2, 2026, the pay range will be $20.67 - $33.57 Anne Arundel County Animal Services is dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of animals and ensuring safe human-animal interactions. Animal Services is responsible for enforcing local and state laws, responding to animal-related complaints, conducting investigations regarding animal cruelty, investigating public safety concerns pertaining to animals, and providing temporary housing for animals for a variety of reasons. As the central location in Anne Arundel County for stray domestic animals, it annually reunites hundreds of lost pets with their owners. More than 2,000 pets of many species are either adopted from the shelter or leave with one of its rescue partners every year. This posting will be used to fill a full-time, permanent, safety-sensitive represented Kennel Technician(s) (Animal Care Attendant I) position within the Animal Services Department with Anne Arundel County Government. This is the entry-level class in the Animal Care Attendant series. Work is performed under general supervision in the respite, care, custody, and disposition of animals, and the operation and maintenance of animal shelter facilities. This is a 24/7 facility providing humane and proper handling of shelter animals.

Nature and variety of work: This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions in the class series. Employees in this class are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Work performed is of a physically demanding nature for routine animal care and related duties at the county's animal shelter. Incumbents in this class receive on-the-job instruction in the care, retention, and maintenance of animals at the County's Animal Control Shelter. This work involves assisting with the intake of animals from the public; daily animal care; maintenance of animal holding areas and shelter equipment; maintenance of daily logs for animals including sick, injured, and medicated; and assisting with euthanasia. Work is performed using basic knowledge of rules and regulations regarding bloodborne pathogens with some independence under the supervision of a superior who assigns work and makes frequent inspections to ensure proper performance of work. The more difficult and complex duties and responsibilities are assigned to the next higher class of Animal Care Attendant II.

Examples of duties and knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Assists with intake duties for animals brought to the shelter; assists in the adoption and redemption of animals.
• Cleans, disinfects, and maintains sanitary conditions of kennels, cages, corrals, and grounds; and conducts routine maintenance and monitors repairs of facilities and equipment.
• May assist in preparing, restraining, medicating, vaccinating, and performing euthanasia of animals.
• Provides information to the general public regarding the adoption process, laws, and animal care.
• Assists with the maintenance of rabies information from rabies clinics and with the administration of vaccinations and deworming.
• Assists with the completion of Animal Data Sheets (ADS).
• Transports animals, delivers and picks up animal traps.
• Testifies in court as required regarding criminal cases or other animal law cases.
• Provides backup in the absence of the Animal Care Attendant II.
• Assists in receipt of money from the public as related to the Animal Control Agency.
• Knowledge of customer service techniques.
• Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of hazards and safety practices involved in dealing with animals.
• Knowledge of laws and ordinances governing animal protection and control.
• Knowledge of animal breeds, coloration, and behaviors of animals and animal euthanasia techniques.
• Skill in equipment handling for animal care and protection.
• Ability to safely and humanely handle and care for animals of all sizes and temperaments.
• Ability to follow appropriate procedures to assist with vaccinations and deworming.
• Ability to utilize leashes, control sticks, animal traps, and other animal handling equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Minimum qualifications:

Education: Sufficient education to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Experience: Six (6) or more months of experience in the knowledge of various breeds, coloration, and treatment of animals; and a valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license.

Note: Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as scheduled. This is a Safety Sensitive position and employees in this position are subject to Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) and Alcohol testing. The selection process includes a comprehensive background investigation. Longevity pay is available based on years of service. Due to the nature of this position, a rabies vaccination is required. Candidates who are already vaccinated must provide documentation of vaccination or titer. Those without documentation or who have never received a rabies vaccine will be provided with information on how to receive the vaccination or titer test upon onboarding. We will review requests for religious or medical exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

Supplemental qualifications: Preference will be given to applicants with the following: 1.) Minimum one (1) year working professionally with animals; Kennel, Shelter, or Animal Control experience preferred. 2.) Ability to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as scheduled. 3.) Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted regularly, 50+ pounds assisted. 4.) Ability to be comfortable working w/ cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish, wildlife. 5.) Ability to perform strenuous physical activity on a daily basis, including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, standing, bending. 6.) Due to the nature of shelter work, may be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile, irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, sights; extreme temperatures.