General Information

305 25th Street West, Palmetto, FL.
Friday-Monday 7:30-6:30 and Sunday-Wednesday 7:30-6:30.
Pay Grade: F-G
Plays a direct role in achieving Manatee County’s no-kill mission and goal by providing hands-on care for animals in the shelter, working with internal departments to find those animals homes wherever possible, and serving as ambassadors for county residents, volunteers, and adopters who visit the shelter. Contributes to the health, wellbeing, and general care of dogs and cats. Plays a unique role as the direct day-to-day connector between the animals in our care and our residents.
NOTE: Depending on qualifications (DOQ), position level and salary will be based upon education, experience certifications, and/or licenses.
Working Conditions
Primarily animal shelter or outdoor field environment. Regularly performs moderately strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions, including rain, extreme heat and humidity, and long exposure to sunlight. Daily exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status. High noise environment while performing certain responsibilities. Lifting and carrying equipment up to 50 pounds alone and up to 100 pounds with assistance. Periodically required to drive county vehicles as part of the duties of the job. Able to climb and descend equipment and ladders. Able to bend, stoop, crawl, and reach. Position requires visual acuity and depth perception, as well as ability to hear and identify sounds. Periodic high stress situations that may involve angry or frustrated citizens. Regularly required to work other than normal business hours including nights, holidays, and weekends.

Job Description

Essential Functions
These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.
Assists with all aspects of the adoption process. Provide excellent customer service to visitors, volunteers, and adopters.
Positively interacts with volunteers and promotes a team environment.
Greets visitors to the shelter, answers questions, and assists visitors with their needs.
Delivers excellent, non-judgmental customer service to all visitors, adopters, fosters, and transfer partners in a friendly, informative and professional manner.
Provides basic and routine care for animals per department guidelines, including feeding, watering, and light grooming.
Supports animals with medical issues, which may include zoonotic disease, by medicating, treating, preparing special diets, observing and reporting, and assisting in the maintenance of required records.
Provides socialization, enrichment, and exercise for animals as directed.
Identifies behavioral issues and shares observations with team members and leaders. Follows behavior or training plans developed for specific animals.
Cleans work areas and preserves physical appearance of buildings and grounds, including scooping, raking, sweeping, mopping, and trash removal. Notes maintenance or repairs needed and reports per protocol.
Follows policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving outcome assignments, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
Strictly adheres to established safety procedures to protect self, co-workers, and the general public.
Attends job-specific training classes as assigned by supervisor.
Animal Care Specialist I:
Assist Foster Coordinator with foster appointments, supplies, return surveys and inputting information to the database.
Support Front Desk function processing adoptions, licenses, money handling and provide good customer service.
Respond to customer service in box and provide information about services provided by the facility.
Take lost & found reports and follow-up when a match has been found.
Works emergency situations (including weather and other extreme conditions) as required, including work in the Emergency Operations Center and pet friendly shelters.
Animal Care Specialist II:
Works emergency situations (including weather and other extreme conditions) as required, including work in the Emergency Operations Center and pet friendly shelters.

Minimum Qualifications

More

Previous work or volunteer experience with an animal shelter or similar organization desired.
Previous customer service experience desired.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Animal Care Specialist I:
Able to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions and complete tasks within assigned timeframes. Able to resolve routine situations and problems.
Basic knowledge and understanding of open adoption processes.
Ability to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns including shyness, fearfulness, and aggression; basic ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs.
Basic knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job duties.
Basic knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.
Good written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills to be able to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, management, adopters, volunteers, and other stakeholders. Able to engage professionally during challenging conversations and accurately educate the public.
Capable of working under close supervision.
Animal Care Specialist II:
Able to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions. Organizes own work and completes tasks within assigned timeframes. Able to resolve routine situations and problems.
General knowledge and understanding of open adoption processes.
Able to work with, leash, kennel, walk, and handle dogs, including those with health and/or behavior conditions/concerns including shyness, fearfulness, and aggression.
General ability to identify and speak to medical and behavioral characteristics of dogs.
General knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job duties.
General knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.

Good written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills to be able to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, management, adopters, volunteers, and other stakeholders. Able to engage professionally during challenging conversations and accurately educate the public.

Capable of working under close supervision

• ComPsych– offers all employees and their family members with emotional, financial, legal, and work/life balance support.
• LAMP counselors available for personal support including emotional, substance abuse, marital, and financial issues.
• Five (5) free visits annually for employees and covered family members.

• Wellness/Health Coaches (5 Free per year)
• On-site Fitness Centers for you and your dependents with 24/7 access
• Personal Training (5 Free per year)
• Pharmacy Technician
• Group Fitness Classes
• Musculoskeletal Physical Therapy Management
• Diabetes Care Program
• Registered Dietician (5 Free per year)
• Massages with licensed therapist (small copay)

• Workers’ Compensation
• Training/Seminars
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Government employee discounts at many retailers and attractions
• Access to Manatee County Library Services (books, digital services, tools, museum passes).

• 12 Paid Holidays including New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
• Three (3) Personal Holidays
• Personal Sick Leave
• Family Sick Leave
• Sick Leave Bank (Donated Hours)
• Professional Medical Appointment Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave
• Military Training Leave
• FMLA

• Award-winning Health Plan with deductibles as low as $0.
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Prescription Insurance
• Life Insurance (6 times salary at low cost)
• Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance

• Florida Retirement System (FRS) with Pension Plan and Investment Plan options.
• 457b Tax Deferred and ROTH account options through Voya.
• FRS Webinars
• Free financial guidance with licensed, non-commissioned financial planner

• Professional Leadership Programs
• Instructor-Led and eLearning Training
• Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladders
• Career Counseling
• Toastmasters
• Networking Membership (Manatee Chamber of Commerce, Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance)
• Employee Recognition Programs with monetary and time-off awards

• Tuition Reimbursement eligible after six (6) months of service, including GED reimbursement.
• Continuing Education support through Training/Seminars and Premium Pay Differentials/Career Ladder.
• Public Safety Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• Options for Health Care and Dependent Care Spending Accounts providing pre-tax savings.