Animal Care Specialist I - City

Animal Care Specialist I This posting will be used to fill a current vacancy in the Animal Welfare Division of the Development Services Department within the City of Oklahoma City. An eligibility list will be established or supplemented for filling future vacancies per provisions of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Animal Care Specialist I is primarily responsible for the general care, maintenance, and oversight of animals housed in the City's Animal Welfare facilities. The normal starting pay for this position is the minimum of the pay range listed above. A higher rate of pay may be considered, dependent on the qualifications and experience of the selected applicant and/or the City's step placement policy. This position is an overage. Funding for this position will be re-evaluated on a fiscal year basis. Full-time City employees will receive preference in the following order: major division first, then department, then all other full-time City employees. Part-time/year-round City employees will receive preference next. If there are no qualified full-time City employees or part-time/year-round City employees, external applicants will then be considered (when the vacancy is open to external applicants). This job classification has been designated as a safety sensitive job classification in accordance with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act, 63 O.S., § 427.1 et seq., (OSCN 2019), effective August 29, 2019. This means employees in this job classification can be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination if they test positive for marijuana components or metabolites, even if they possess a medical marijuana license. The Animal Care Specialist I is primarily responsible for the general care, maintenance, and oversight of animals housed in the City's Animal Welfare facilities. Performing the care and upkeep of shelter animals, including feeding, watering, and exercising. Cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining of shelter equipment and facilities. Conducting daily kennel inventory. Assisting with monitoring the behavior and medical status of animals. Transporting animals to external veterinary locations as needed. Assisting in identifying potentially adoptable animals using established protocol. Assisting with the euthanasia process and disposition of animals, ensuring proper disposal in accordance with legal requirements. Operating City vehicles and equipment, including the Mobile Adoption Unit, trucks, bobcats, and other standard vehicles. Educating, counseling, and exchanging information with the public and co-workers regarding lost and found animals. Performing other duties as assigned. Honorably discharged veterans of the United States Active Duty Armed Forces, National Guard, and Reserve Forces who are not currently employed full-time by the City of Oklahoma City and who meet the qualifications for the position shall be given preference. To receive preference, veterans must submit verification of honorable discharge from the United States military service (Department of Defense Form DD214 or NGB Form 22) prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Possession of a high school diploma, GED or equivalent. Possession of valid Driver License (Operator). Knowledge of various breeds of dogs, cats, and other domestic and wild animals. Knowledge of basic methods of animal welfare and care. Knowledge of small animals and livestock behavior and proper care. Skill in communicating with tact and diplomacy. Ability to handle animals safely and humanely. Ability to work with animals of various sizes and temperaments. Ability to follow instructions. Ability to work with others. Ability to interact effectively with the public. Ability to handle and care for sick, injured, and/or aggressive animals. Ability and willingness to assist in the euthanasia process and the proper disposal of animals. Ability to work around noxious odors. Ability and willingness to follow safety rules and regulations. The incumbent will be required to successfully complete a prescribed course of training administered by the Animal Welfare Division. The training will consist of information regarding the safe and proper handling of animals, applicable laws or regulations, and departmental policies and procedures. One City, One Team (Teamwork/Team Oriented) Recognizes, values, and leverages the ideas, opinions, and perspectives of others; participates willingly and effectively as a team lead or team member; builds consensus; fosters team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust; collaborates with others to accomplish goals and objectives and achieve results; expresses facts, ideas, messages, and information (technical and non-technical) to individuals or groups clearly, concisely, accurately, understandably, with honesty, tact, and diplomacy and in a manner that is appropriate for the intended audience; actively listens, clarifies information as needed; shares information, resources and solutions across departments; asks for help early and offers it often; collaborates across teams before decisions are made. Service First (Customer Centric) Demonstrates commitment to public service; serves and satisfies internal and external customers in a timely and effective manner; establishes, commits to, and maintains high standards for producing quality work products and being responsive to customers; supports the Department/City's mission; develops and executes strategies with the customer in mind; acts quickly and follows through until the job is complete; serves everyone with genuine respect, diligence and professionalism; makes decisions with the people we serve in mind. Respect Always (Conduct) Conducts oneself with the utmost integrity and professionalism; demonstrates humility; encourages people to share their perspectives, ideas, and opinions; makes decisions based on a sense of shared purpose; takes responsibility for actions and decisions; resilient; leans in to challenges and problems with creative solutions; speaks up and challenges the status quo; relies on the character, ability, strength, truth, and transparency of others and the organization; listens with curiosity and speaks with care; embraces different perspectives and lived experiences; gives feedback constructively and receives it openly. Own the Outcome (Execution and Results) Sets well-defined and realistic goals and high standards of performance for self or self and others; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment toward performing work; completes assignments in a thorough, accurate, and timely manner, and delivers results; works with minimal supervision, is motivated to achieve, and demonstrates responsible behavior; demonstrates understanding of all aspects of the job (as specified on the approved job description) and application of accrued knowledge in carrying out duties and responsibilities; technical knowledge; skill in the techniques, equipment, procedures, and work required; takes initiative to fix it or escalates issues; follows through on commitments; speaks up when accountability is missing. Keep Getting Better (Workplace Standards) Takes meal periods and breaks according to policy; ensures sick leave usage does not negatively impact productivity of work unit; notifies supervisor of unscheduled absences; accepts suggestions and supervision with a positive approach; completes work timely and correctly; takes time to reflect and act on what is working and what is not; learns from mistakes without blaming; supports self and other's development and growth. Safety Complies with all safety policies and practices; promotes a safe work environment; participates in safety meetings; current on completion of safety trainings. Outside occasionally, exposed to heat, cold, humidity, rain, etc. Constant contact with slick surfaces floors and uneven surfaces. Capable of working in cramped, confined areas such as animal cages, which may be close to the ground or at elevated levels. Frequent exposure to steady and loud noises. Frequent exposure to toxins such as chemicals used in the euthanasia process. Frequent exposure to large concentrations of noxious odors. Frequent exposure to the possibility of animal bites. Frequent exposure to chemical irritants such as disinfectant, bleach and flea dip. Possibility of infections or illness caused by disease-carrying animals. Frequent exposure to allergy-causing agents such as dust, insect stings (e.g., bees or wasps), and vegetation such as poison oak, ivy, and sumac. Local travel on a daily basis. Required to work weekends, holidays, irregular hours, and occasional overtime. Strength enough to lift, push, and pull objects such as animals weighing up to 75 pounds. Stamina to exert oneself physically throughout the workday. Flexibility enough to bend, twist, and reach frequently and for extended periods of time to perform duties such as loading and unloading animals on and off a truck and in and out of carriers, cages and kennels and cleaning at or just above the floor surface level. Significant body coordination and balance enough to remain upright while capturing large animals such as cattle, horses, etc. City of Oklahoma City