Kennel Attendant

The Department of Health and Human Services – Animal Care Services, is currently hiring for extra help/temporary Kennel Attendant vacancies. Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to working 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits.

Appointments made from this eligible list may be eligible for transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

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

Receives immediate supervision from the Supervising Animal Control Officer, and technical and functional supervision from other animal control staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintain the kennel and cattery 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 kennels and cattery; teach basic animal attendant skills.
• Oversee the work performed by trustees from the County Jail assigned to the kennels and cattery.
• Oversee the ordering of supplies needed for operation of the kennel and cattery; make recommendations to supervisor.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• 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.

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 kennel and cattery 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 an 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 kennel or cattery situations; and explain animal 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 kennel operations; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and finer manipulation; and lift very heavy weight.

 

Written Examination (100%) 

The written examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met. Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

 

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

 

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit

Minimum Qualifications Screening February 29, 2016 tentative

Conviction History Questionnaire to be emailed:  February 29, 2016 tentative

Conviction History Questionnaire Responses due March 2, 2016 tentative

Written Exam Date:  March 16, 2016 tentative