What are the responsibilities and job description for the Animal Care Attendant position at CHARLES COUNTY GOVERNMENT?
Summary
Performs routine animal care and related duties at the Animal Care Center. Cleans and maintains kennel areas and performs related care center duties. Workers carry out daily assignments, follow through on matters, and use independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with standard recurring situations. Includes work on weekends and holidays.
Essential Job Functions
- Cleans and sanitizes cages and kennel areas and performs general housekeeping duties.
- Observes and reports kenneled/caged animal health concerns to appropriate staff person.
- Maintains appropriate feeding schedule and records for the animals at the facility.
- Cleans and sanitizes food and water containers.
- Launders animal bedding.
- Performs minor facility maintenance.
- Oversees public interaction with adoptable animals.
- Performs care center duties including taking reports from the public, receiving animals brought to the shelter, preparing adoption paperwork, reclaiming animals to their owners, and transporting animals to veterinarians.
- Maintains proper inventory levels of cleaning and other supplies. Informs supervisor when reordering is necessary.
- Assists Animal Care Technicians as assigned.
- Ensures adoptable pets are in cages at local partner stores. Transport animals as assigned.
- Identifies potential problems with animals such as those that could affect their adoptability (health issues, behavior/ temperament problems etc.) and notify the supervisor/technicians when these conditions are noted-
- Performs other related job duties as assigned.
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Education and Experience:
High school diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED). Six (6) months of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience and training.
Licenses or Certifications:
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Special Requirements/Qualifications:
Must be willing to receive Rabies pre-exposure and Tetanus vaccinations. PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.
Subject to work weekends, holidays and beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of the basic methods and procedures of kennel cleaning.
- Ability to carry out daily assignments, follow through on matters, and use independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with standard recurring situations. Includes work on weekends and holidays.
- Ability to deal courteously with the public.
- Ability to handle animals safely and effectively.
- Ability to clean kennels efficiently.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is performed in office, shelter, surroundings, and outside in varying weather conditions. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 70 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; and requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work may be performed outside in a variety of weather conditions. Worker is continuously exposed to chemicals, zoonotic diseases, and subject to injuries at any given time.
Department/Division: Department of Emergency Services/Animal Care Center
Pay Grade: 106
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Telework Eligible: No
Reports to: Animal Care Supervisor
Supervises: None
Charles County Government
BENEFITS SUMMARY
www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD
BENEFITS SUMMARY
www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD
Health Insurance
Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.
Flexible Spending Account
Provides medical and dependent care options.
Supplemental Income Products
Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.
Long Term Disability Insurance
No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month.
Life Insurance
No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.
Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan — Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.
Deferred Compensation Plan
457(b) Governmental Plan — Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.
Employee Leave
- Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
- The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
- Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.
Transfer of Sick Leave
New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.
Work Schedules
- Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.
Additional Fringe Benefits
- Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
- Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
- House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
- Free, Employee Wellness Programs
- Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
- Pet Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)
Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2026