Animal Care Technician

Animal Shelter Worker

Graduation from high school or equivalent; six months experience preferred in animal care/control, assisting at a veterinarian facility, kennel, and/or handling shelter animals or any equivalent combination of related training and experience.

This is animal shelter work responsible for the safe and humane handling of animals and providing basic care of animals and animal facilities in the Alachua County Animal Resources & Care Department.

An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for providing daily care, feeding, cleaning, and monitoring the health and well-being of animals, such as dogs, cats, pocket pets, and other animals in need.

Work is performed under the direction of a higher – level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Essential Job Functions

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.

Cleans and disinfects kennels, cages, pens, yards, and general grounds. Washes laundry and dishes.

Feeds and waters animals according to schedules.

Examines animals for signs of illness and treats them according to Veterinarian instructions.

Transfers animals between quarters.

Adjusts controls to regulate temperature and humidity of animal's quarters.

Provides enrichment for the animals such as making treats, walking animals, and playtime and exercise with the animals.

Comforts animals when needed.

Assists the public with reclaims and adoptions.

Interacts with the public including adoption counseling, foster requests, dog to dog interactions, playgroups and assist staff requests for processing.

Performs intake of the animals including taking photos, providing core vaccines, flea treatment and dewormer.

Updates animal records in computer system. Records information according to instructions such as gender, breed, diet, weight, location, behavior, medications, food intake, and identifiers.

Reports signs of illness or unusual behavior in animals to supervisor.

May restrain unclaimed and/or unwanted animals for humane euthanasia, including large-breed (50 pounds or greater) dogs.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

Note: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the care and handling of animals.

Ability to treat animals and people with respect.

Ability to recognize signs of stress or disease in animals.

Ability to restrain and handle hostile or large animals.

Ability to assist with humane euthanasia procedures.

Ability to deal effectively with the public and co-workers in a professional manner, especially during emotional or stressful situations.

Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.

Ability to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions.

Skills with Pet Care and Animal Handling and Care.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to talk or hear, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases (e.g., ringworm). Subject to animal bites and scratches. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.