Placer County

To feed and care for animals housed by the County in the animal care facility; and to maintain facilities in a clean and sanitary condition.

Receives immediate supervision from the Animal Care Supervisor, and technical and functional supervision from other animal care staff.

• Maintain the animal care facility in a clean, sanitary and safe condition; clean and disinfect kennels and cages; feed and water animals; provide first aid to wounded animals.  Maintain records on special feed instructions for animals needing unique care; clean and disinfect quarantine areas; take in stray and owner released animals from the public and provide appropriate records; handle dead and decomposing animal carcasses.
• Assist the public in difficult situations, including requests for euthanasia; perform euthanasia procedures to ensure safe and humane treatment; perform chemical restraint procedures as necessary.
• Receive and classify animals delivered to the shelter.
• Assist the public in redemption and adoption of animals; review records for lost and found animals and attempt to help the public.
• Oversee volunteer involvement in the animal care facility; teach basic animal attendant skills.
• Oversee the ordering of supplies needed for operation of the animal care facility; make recommendations to supervisor.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Administer vaccinations and medications to animals in accordance with the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters.
• Provide enrichment to animals on a daily basis to maintain their health and well-being.
• Attend off-site events and presentations on behalf of the County to educate the public about animal care services and promote responsible pet ownership.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: No experience is required. Some experience handling dogs and cats under stressful and traumatic conditions is desirable.

Training: Formal or informal education or training which ensures the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to completion of the probationary period, a certificate in euthanasia procedures.
• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Various dog breeds and characteristics in order to properly classify and cage dogs in order to avoid disruptions and maintain safety of all animals.

Ability to:

• Work with the public during tense and emotional situations; calm hostile and emotionally distraught individuals; demonstrate tact, courtesy, patience and sound judgement.
• Relay information to the public on program and departmental policies, procedures, and services.
• Learn procedures and terminology associated with animal shelter operations.
• Instruct and review the work of volunteers and trustees involved in maintaining the shelter facility.
• Learn to apply state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to the shelter, including special conditions for quarantined animals.
• Properly feed animals and notice symptoms of illness.
• Hold live animals and inject a euthanizing drug into the animal in the most humane manner possible; properly measure drugs into hypodermic syringes for chemical restraint and euthanasia.
• Maintain records and files.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of animal control operations; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects;  problem solve animal shelter situations; and explain animal care and control related laws to the public.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk or in vehicle; walk and stand during field activities; bend, squat, kneel or twist while working in field or animal shelter operations; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and finer manipulation; and lift very heavy weight.