SHELTER ASSISTANT

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY:

Under supervision of the Shelter Manager or Sheriff's Office Captain-Administrative Division, is responsible for cleaning, feeding and care of all animals at the Clear Creek - Gilpin County Animal Shelter. Assists the Shelter Manager with the daily functions of the Animal Control Office and animal holding areas, along with the care and maintenance of the Shelter Grounds and surrounding areas.

Benefits:
Clear Creek County offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, which may include retirement benefits, medical, dental, and vision coverage; wellness programs; county-paid life and disability insurance; flexible spending and health savings account options; paid time off, sick leave, and holidays; Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources; telehealth services; and voluntary supplemental benefit offerings.

Benefit eligibility is based on position and scheduled hours; not all positions qualify for the full benefits package.

Sheriff's Office Positions Only: Enhanced retirement benefits through FPPA (Fire & Police Pension Association) are currently under development, with anticipated implementation in late 2026.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES : (The following are intended to be illustrative only and are not all inclusive.)

• Feed and water animals according to schedules and feeding instructions.
• Cleans and disinfects cages, pens, and yards.
• Responsible for maintaining Shelter grounds and surrounding areas.
• Responsible for ensuring Shelter walkways and dog kennels are free of debris, including snow and/ice accumulation.
• Responsible for Laundry processing at the Animal Shelter, keeping it clean, and orderly.
• Examine and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury and treats them according to instructions.
• Transfers animals between quarters.
• Inoculates, medicate and document medication given (according to instructions), shaves, bathes, clips, and grooms animals.
• Unload, and store feed and supplies.
• Transport animals to and from veterinarian.
• Pick-up donations at various designated establishments.
• Responsible for washing and sanitizing dishes.
• Responsible for general shelter cleaning and sanitizing, including windows, floors, walls, bathrooms, counters, and desktops.
• Responsible for keeping the garage, attic, and Conex building clean and organized.
• Alert the Shelter Manager of any building or equipment repair needs.
• Alert the Shelter Manager to any shortages of food, medical, office, and shelter supplies.
• Assist the Shelter Manager with administrative tasks including records management and data entry.
• Assist customers, Animal Control Officers, and other law enforcement personnel with the process of handling and impounding incoming animals.
• Assist with conducting behavior evaluations on dogs.

QUALIFICATIONS/ COMPLEXITY/RESPONSIBILITY :

• Judgment: Applies knowledge and reasoning to make prompt and effective decisions quickly in both routine and non-routine situations (i.e. unpredictable animal behavior with incoming or resident animals); evaluates alternative courses of action and selects the most acceptable alternative; makes sound decisions in a timely manner.
• Observation Skills: Develops the ability to read animal behavior and is able to determine when an animal is acting aggressive and when it is friendly. Develops the ability to read human behavior and is able to determine when a situation is becoming dangerous to the personal safety of staff or jeopardizes the safety of county property.
• Learning: Reads competently. Comprehends new information and applies that which has been learned on the job. Understands and conceptually applies information that is provided in writing or verbally.
• Oral Communication: Speaks in a clear understandable manner and comprehends various types of information (i.e. accounts of past events, directions, explanations, or ideas); talks effectively with people of diverse cultural and educational backgrounds; speaks with good pronunciation, projects voice clearly in a calm and relaxed manner.
• Written Communication: Writes clearly and concisely.
• Interpersonal Behavior: Courteous and respectful, works to calm emotional people and attempts to resolve conflicts through verbal persuasion; exercises compassion and empathy for persons in varied situations and with varied backgrounds.
• Teamwork: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, other staff, and other governmental agencies; shares information and works cooperatively with others; complies with departmental procedures; follows directions; is able to accept advice and constructive criticism in a positive manner and learn from the experience of others.
• Assertiveness: Asserts self as necessary to control emotional situations
• Emotional self-control: Maintain professional composure and functions effectively in stressful situations; refrains from overreacting when subjected to verbal abuse; exercises restraint and uses minimum amount of physical force when dealing with uncooperative animals.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changes in schedule and working conditions.
• Initiative: Ability to work on assignments with limited supervision; makes an effort to improve skills; exerts the effort needed to make sure the job is done correctly; is consistently productive and follows through on all tasks.
• Dependability: Ability to be reliable, thorough, punctual, and accurate; assumes responsibility for share of the workload; works with limited supervision.
• Integrity: Demonstrates history of personal and professional honesty and integrity.
• Compliance with Laws, Policies and Procedures: Follows orders, policies, and procedures; able to have working knowledge of and history of compliance with county, state, and federal laws and statutes.
• Acceptance of Criticism: Accepts advice and constructive criticism, demonstrates acceptance of responsibility for own mistakes and ability to learn from mistakes.
• Problem Solving: Analyzes problems, develops pro-active plans within the department and in partnership with shelter manager or Undersheriff.

EDUCATION :

Completion of grade school is required. Completion of high school or equivalent is preferred.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE :

• Comfortable working with all breeds of dogs and cats.
• Knowledge and experience with dog handling.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS :

Must have a working telephone can be either cell or home phone.

Must have a valid Colorado Driver's License.

Must pass background check: Criminal and Traffic Conviction of a crime will not be an absolute bar to employment

Required legal authorization to work - United States citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS :

Maintains physical condition and fitness; demonstrates ability to meet the physical demands of the job which include but are not limited to the following. 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.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or push and pull 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include Peripheral vision and Ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to stand and walk for the majority of a 10 hour day.
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Have no allergies to dogs or cats, or able to control with medication.
• Ability to sit, stand, and turn repeatedly throughout the day.
• Ability to move quickly to avoid injury by animals.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT :

Works in an animal shelter/kennel and uncovered outdoor environment; conditions experienced vary widely and will include cold, heat, wind, rain, snow, and dust. Must be able to manage and control animals in a proper and safe manner using available equipment and tactics prescribed by management. Must be prepared to manage animals who frequently will be aggressive and unruly. Other essential functions include: frequent walking, bending, twisting, crouching, squatting, long periods of standing, pushing and pulling of patients and equipment. Additional capabilities required include occasional sitting, climbing, running, kneeling, and crawling. Must have vision to be able to legally drive a passenger vehicle. Hearing voice conversation and animal sounds is essential to safe and effective job performance.

SUPERVISORY: NONE

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties, and responsibilities. Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.