Part-Time Animal Control Officer/Kennel Technician

Job Description

Job Description:\n\nImportant—Please Read ThoroughlyPlease read this job description carefully and in its entirety.Applicants must have previous work experience in an animal shelter, law-enforcement agency, or animal-control agency to be considered for this position. Applicants who do not meet at least one of these experience requirements will not be considered.A random code phrase that has nothing to do with the position has also been included somewhere in this description. Applicants will be asked to provide the code phrase during the application or interview process to confirm that they read the entire job description.Position SummaryThe Part-Time Animal Control Officer/Kennel Technician performs a combination of animal-control and kennel-care duties for Logan County Animal Care and Control.On Thursdays and Fridays, the employee will primarily perform kennel technician duties, including cleaning and disinfecting kennels, caring for dogs, evaluating canine behavior, conducting dog-to-dog introductions, and helping ensure the shelter’s established standards are consistently maintained.On Saturdays, the employee will primarily perform Animal Control Officer duties. The employee will also provide on-call Animal Control coverage on Sundays and after normal working hours from Thursday through Sunday.The employee must live in Logan County and maintain Logan County residency throughout employment. This requirement is necessary to ensure the employee can respond promptly to after-hours and on-call Animal Control calls.This is a part-time position scheduled for up to 30 hours per week. The position may have the opportunity to transition to full-time employment beginning in July 2027, depending on departmental needs, available funding, employee performance, and county approval. Future full-time employment is not guaranteed.This position works directly under and reports to the Lead Animal Control Officer and works closely with the LCACC Director and Assistant Director/Veterinary Technician.Work Schedule and PayThe regular schedule and primary responsibilities for this position are:\n\nThursday: Kennel technician duties and after-hours Animal Control on-call coverage.\n\nFriday: Kennel technician duties and after-hours Animal Control on-call coverage.\n\nSaturday: Animal Control Officer duties and after-hours Animal Control on-call coverage.\n\nSunday: On-call Animal Control Officer coverage.\n\nHours: Up to 30 hours per week.\n\nPay: $15.92 per hour.\n\nThe schedule may be adjusted based on animal-care needs, staffing, emergencies, holidays, call volume, and departmental operations.The employee must live in Logan County and remain within a reasonable response distance while on call. Availability for after-hours and on-call coverage from Thursday through Sunday is an essential requirement of this position.Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesAnimal Control Responsibilities\nServe as the scheduled Animal Control Officer on Saturdays and as the on-call Animal Control Officer on Sundays.\nProvide after-hours Animal Control on-call coverage from Thursday through Sunday.\nRespond to animal-control calls received through Logan County Dispatch, law enforcement, or the LCACC Director.\nInvestigate complaints involving stray, roaming, aggressive, injured, neglected, or abandoned dogs.\nSafely capture, restrain, transport, and impound dogs when necessary.\nEducate members of the public regarding applicable state laws, county ordinances, responsible pet ownership, and available shelter resources.\nProvide verbal or written warnings when authorized and appropriate.\nThoroughly document possible violations by completing all required reports, statements, notices, photographs, and other supporting documentation.\nRefer cases that may warrant a citation to the Lead Animal Control Officer for review.\nProvide the Lead Animal Control Officer with all documentation and evidence necessary to determine whether a citation should be issued.\nUnderstand that the Lead Animal Control Officer will make the final determination regarding citations and will prepare and issue any citation considered necessary.\nComplete all animal-control reports, case documentation, and animal-intake records accurately and promptly.\nWork cooperatively with law enforcement, Logan County Dispatch, the Health Department, veterinary providers, and other agencies.\nAssist with bite investigations, quarantines, welfare checks, and other animal-control matters as directed.\nFollow all applicable Kentucky laws, Logan County ordinances, departmental policies, and shelter procedures.\nReport significant animal-control incidents to the Lead Animal Control Officer and shelter leadership.\nAfter-Hours and Sunday On-Call Responsibilities\nRemain available for after-hours Animal Control calls from Thursday through Sunday.\nRemain available for Animal Control calls throughout the assigned Sunday on-call period.\nLive in Logan County and maintain Logan County residency throughout employment.\nRemain within Logan County and within a reasonable response distance while assigned to on-call duty unless otherwise approved by the LCACC Director.\nMaintain reliable telephone communication and remain able to respond while on call.\nRespond within the timeframe established by the LCACC Director.\nCoordinate with the LCACC Director or Lead Animal Control Officer after receiving a call from Logan County Dispatch to determine the appropriate response.\nTravel to the location of a qualifying call and respond in person when directed or required.\nProperly document all calls received and actions taken while on call.\nNotify the Lead Animal Control Officer or LCACC Director of serious incidents or situations requiring additional assistance or guidance.\nUnderstand that after-hours and on-call availability from Thursday through Sunday is an essential function of this position.\nKennel Operations and Animal Care\nClean, disinfect, and maintain assigned kennels and surrounding animal-care areas.\nPerform all cleaning and sanitation duties according to the shelter’s established Standard Operating Procedures, cleaning guidelines, and disease-prevention protocols.\nConsistently maintain the level of cleanliness and animal care required by shelter leadership.\nEnsure cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and equipment are properly prepared, used, stored, and maintained.\nEnsure all dogs receive proper food, fresh water, clean bedding, exercise, enrichment, and daily observation.\nMonitor dogs for signs of illness, injury, stress, aggression, or changes in behavior and immediately report any concerns directly to the Assistant Director/Veterinary Technician or shelter leadership.\nAssist with administering vaccines, medications, preventatives, and other treatments as directed and permitted by the Assistant Director/Veterinary Technician.\nSafely move, handle, restrain, and evaluate dogs of varying sizes, breeds, temperaments, and medical conditions.\nAssist with laundry, dishes, waste removal, stocking supplies, and general facility maintenance as needed.\nHelp maintain a safe, clean, professional, and welcoming environment for animals, employees, volunteers, and visitors.\nDog Behavior Assessment and Safe HandlingA major responsibility of this position is evaluating dog behavior and safely introducing dogs to one another. The employee must be able to recognize canine body language, identify early warning signs of fear, stress, reactivity, resource guarding, and aggression, and make sound decisions before a situation escalates.Responsibilities include:\nConduct dog-to-dog introductions and behavior assessments according to shelter procedures.\nEvaluate dogs for compatibility before placing them together in playgroups, shared spaces, or other supervised activities.\nRecognize subtle and obvious signs of fear, anxiety, stress, overstimulation, reactivity, resource guarding, and aggressive behavior.\nUnderstand the difference between appropriate play, corrective behavior, escalating conflict, and dangerous aggression.\nSelect appropriate dogs for introductions based on size, play style, temperament, energy level, and known behavioral history.\nClosely supervise all dog-to-dog introductions and group play activities.\nKnow when to continue, pause, redirect, or immediately end an interaction.\nRemain calm and make safe, timely decisions during high-stress or rapidly changing situations.\nSafely respond when two or more dogs become involved in a fight by following established emergency procedures and using approved equipment and separation techniques.\nDemonstrate the confidence, judgment, and physical ability necessary to manage large and powerful dogs, including safely responding when dogs weighing more than 100 pounds become aggressive or are involved in a fight.\nEnsure other kennel technicians and inmate workers understand which dogs may be handled or placed together and which dogs require special precautions.\nNever permit an employee, inmate worker, volunteer, visitor, or animal to be placed at unnecessary risk during a dog-to-dog interaction.\nClearly communicate and document behavior observations, compatibility concerns, dog-to-dog test results, and handling restrictions.\nImmediately report serious aggression, bites, fights, injuries, or other significant behavioral concerns directly to the Assistant Director/Veterinary Technician or shelter leadership.\nAssist with developing safe handling, housing, enrichment, and playgroup plans for dogs with behavioral concerns.\nParticipate in required training related to canine body language, behavior assessment, dog-to-dog introductions, playgroups, defensive handling, and safely interrupting dog fights.\nCleaning Standards and Team Coordination\nFollow and help maintain the shelter’s Standard Operating Procedures, cleaning guidelines, safety requirements, and animal-care standards.\nProvide direction to other part-time kennel technicians and inmate workers when assigned or necessary.\nHelp oversee the cleaning and sanitation of inside kennels and other assigned areas during scheduled kennel shifts.\nInspect completed work and verify that kennels and animal-care areas meet shelter standards.\nHold part-time kennel technicians and inmate workers to the shelter’s established Standard Operating Procedures and cleaning requirements while working together.\nRequire incomplete or improperly performed cleaning or animal-care duties to be corrected promptly.\nAssist with training and retraining workers in proper cleaning, disinfecting, disease prevention, animal handling, and safety practices when directed.\nHelp ensure cleaning schedules, animal-care schedules, safety procedures, and assigned duties are completed fully and on time.\nEnsure assigned workers follow all dog-handling restrictions and established safety precautions.\nImmediately address safety concerns or failures to follow established procedures and report repeated, serious, or intentional violations to the Lead Animal Control Officer, LCACC Director, or Assistant Director.\nLead by example by consistently following all shelter procedures and maintaining the standards expected of all employees and inmate workers.\nHelp organize the daily workload to ensure animal-care and facility responsibilities are completed safely and efficiently.\nKeep the Lead Animal Control Officer informed of completed assignments, animal concerns, staffing issues, and facility needs.\nGeneral Responsibilities\nWork under the direction and supervision of the Lead Animal Control Officer.\nFollow additional direction provided by the LCACC Director and Assistant Director.\nMaintain professional and respectful communication with coworkers, inmate workers, volunteers, law enforcement, partner organizations, and members of the public.\nFollow all workplace safety, confidentiality, and county personnel policies.\nOperate shelter and county vehicles safely and responsibly.\nMaintain assigned equipment, radios, protective gear, and animal-control tools.\nAttend required training, staff meetings, and certification programs.\nAssist with adoptions, animal intake, reclaiming animals, public inquiries, and other shelter duties when needed.\nPerform other related duties as assigned.\nWork EnvironmentThis position requires regular work around dogs of varying sizes, breeds, temperaments, and medical conditions. The employee will work both indoors and outdoors in heat, cold, rain, snow, and other weather conditions.The position involves exposure to animal waste, cleaning chemicals, loud noise, unpleasant odors, bites, scratches, aggressive animals, dog fights, and other hazards associated with shelter and animal-control work.The position requires Saturday and Sunday availability, holiday work when scheduled, and assigned after-hours on-call responsibilities from Thursday through Sunday.Physical RequirementsThe employee must be able to:\nStand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, reach, and perform physical labor for extended periods.\nSafely lift and carry animals, food, equipment, and supplies.\nSafely control, restrain, and handle large, strong, frightened, injured, or aggressive dogs.\nPossess the physical strength, control, and confidence necessary to safely handle and restrain dogs weighing more than 100 pounds.\nRemain calm and act decisively when separating large dogs involved in a fight or other dangerous interaction, using approved equipment, techniques, and shelter safety procedures.\nBe physically and mentally capable of responding to aggressive dogs and emergency situations without panicking, freezing, or unnecessarily placing others at risk.\nEnter and exit animal-control vehicles and work in outdoor and roadside environments.\nPerform cleaning duties involving water hoses, disinfectants, kennel equipment, and animal waste.\nWork effectively in demanding, stressful, and occasionally hazardous situations.\nMinimum Qualifications\nHigh school diploma or equivalent.\nPrevious work experience in an animal shelter, law-enforcement agency, or animal-control agency is required.\nApplicants who do not have experience in at least one of these areas will not be considered.\nMust live in Logan County and maintain Logan County residency throughout employment.\nMust remain within a reasonable response distance while assigned to after-hours or Sunday on-call duty.\nValid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.\nAbility to work independently and provide direction to other kennel technicians and inmate workers when assigned.\nAbility to follow the direction of the Lead Animal Control Officer and shelter leadership.\n\nThe code phrase is orange banana.\n\nAbility to communicate professionally with coworkers and members of the public.\nAbility to accurately complete written reports and electronic records.\nAbility to work the required Thursday-through-Sunday schedule.\nAbility to remain available for after-hours and Sunday on-call responsibilities.\nAbility to safely perform all essential physical duties of the position.\nAbility to read canine body language, recognize signs of