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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Animal Care Specialist


FLSA: Standard/Non-Exempt EEO Category: (80) Serv/Maint
Class Code: 10595 Salary Grade: JB8
Approved: January 30, 2001 Last Revised: March 01, 2023


Purpose:
 

Provides animal care and customer service; kennel space management; mediates animal related complaints; schedules, monitors performance, and trains/delegates Animal Services staff in performance of job duties.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
  Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
  1. Receives, handles, and kennels animals of all species including those of unknown temperament, aggressive, sick, and injured.
  2. Performs basic maintenance to ensure the safety of all employees, the public, and animals.
  3. Performs a weekly inventory of supplies and orders. Maintains relevant written and electronic records; enters and retrieves information regarding animals’ behavior, health, and kennel needs.
  4. Assists the public with adoptions and finding lost animals by answering questions, providing education, and assisting potential adopters with animal handling and counsel, as needed.
  5. Monitors animals’ physical conditions and performs health care as directed by the veterinarian.
  6. Performs receiving, reclaiming, animal care, and adoption duties.
  7. Manages cage and kennel space by performing daily inventory/health inspections of animals.
  8. Attends training, maintains certifications, and trains other personnel on cleaning/disinfection, animal handling, and other animal care duties.
  9. Assists other personnel, law enforcement agencies, and other organizations as necessary.
  10. Provides animal husbandry; cleans, disinfects, and maintains animal areas to ensure disease management protocol and safety; conducts daily inspections of shelter animals and areas to ensure proper safety, health, and care.
  11. Reviews policies and procedures to ensure they are up to date.
  12. Facilitates aspects of daily animal care operations, including management of space, creates a staff roster, holds morning team meetings, adjusts daily plans for the unit, etc., as needed/assigned.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 
  • May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
  • Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
  • Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  • Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.
  • Ability to adhere to disease management and safety protocols.
  • Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  • Ability to train others.
Minimum Qualifications:
 
  • Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus two (2) years of work experience one (1) year experience in a field related to the job.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
 
  • Valid Texas Class C Driver's License.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.