What are the responsibilities and job description for the ANIMAL Services Specialist-PLACEMENT position at Cleveland County?
Requirements
N/A
Job Description
Comments From This Job Announcement
Summary
This position performs professional administrative work finding appropriate placement for shelter animals through adoption and/or transfer. This is accomplished by assisting the public and overseeing the coordination of shelter animals for adoptions, transfers of shelter animals into rescue or transfer programs. Work is performed under the Community Engagement Manager. The normal work schedule for this position is Tuesday through Friday from 7:30am-6:00pm and an occasional weekend day to assist with adoptions, adoption events, transfers, holiday coverage or staffing issues that will be determined by a rotating schedule.
Essential Functions And Responsibilities Include
Verifies animals are ready and qualified to be placed in adoption/transfer status, including verifying stray/owner surrender requirements have been properly completed, vaccinations are up-to-date, appropriate evaluations have been completed, applicable behavior/medical waivers are in place, prescriptions are in place, all memos are complete and correct, and conducts behavioral assessment and evaluation to determine eligibility for adoption, and/or transfer to rescue program.
Prepares and maintains required paperwork for the adoption or transfer of animals.
Socializes and evaluates at-risk animals to assess placement and care needs.
Coordinates special adoption events, creates and disseminates promotional publicity for social media channels to promote the adoption of animals.
Performs adoption counseling at the shelter, screens individuals wanting to adopt animals and reviews adoption paperwork to ensure animals are placed in suitable homes.
Schedules adoptable animals for vaccines, preventative care, and health check-ups.
Conducts all post-adoption activities and follow-ups.
Builds and maintains highly effective relationships with rescue groups and manages an up-to-date rescue group lists.
Coordinates the Barn Cat program.
As part of a team environment may occasionally be required to assists with other Animal Services operations when staffing issues arise.
The responsibilities and duties outlined above are intended to provide a general outline and summary of this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed, with or without notice, to meet the needs of the department and county.
Education & Experience
High School Diploma or GED and 1-3 years' experience in animal services, animal health, or animal care and welfare. Experience working with rescues organizations and/or adoption of animals preferred but not required. Associates Degree in Marketing or Communications preferred but not required.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
General knowledge of modern and complex principles and practices of animal care
Advanced knowledge of animal handling and behavior utilizing fear free methods
Working knowledge of common health problems, medical care and treatment of animals with an understanding of common vocabulary used in shelter veterinary medicine
Working knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations
General knowledge of local community resources regarding animal rescue efforts
Ability to coordinate projects, set priorities, and quickly, calmly, and efficiently adapt to changing priorities, meeting deadlines, and juggling multiple and competing priorities.
Ability to maintain detailed records, and effectively communicate animal needs in effort to secure appropriate placement
Excellent communication skills, including both written and oral communication with excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to deal tactfully and effectively with staff, volunteers, and the general public
Ability to make sound judgments and work independently and in a team setting in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel. Experience with animal shelter software helpful.
Work Environment / Physical Requirements
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This work requires frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force
Work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and lifting
Occasionally requires climbing or balancing, smelling, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions
Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data
Work regularly requires Animal Hair and Dander and Potentially Aggressive Animals
Frequently requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather)
Occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment
Work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic)
License & Certifications
Valid driver's license and insurable driver's record.
North Carolina Certified Rabies Vaccinator within 6 months of hire.
Dogs Playing for Life training completed within 6 months of hire.
ASPCA Safer Certification within 1 year of hire.
RACE Fear Free Certification within 1 year of hire.
Work Location:
This role must work from the location identified at the time of hire with work travel required as needed. Any change of work location, even on a short-term or interim basis, must be reviewed by the Supervisor and HR for approval.
Additional Information
Individuals hired must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Cleveland County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Cleveland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
How To Apply For This Job
Click the 'checkbox' next to this job announcement then click the 'Apply & Continue' button.
$18.03/hr.-$23.44/hr. **Compensation will be based on experience**
Salary Range
michelle.weathers@clevelandcountync.gov
Contact Email
Full-Time
Job Type
ANIMAL SERVICES
Job Category
06/20/2025
Posted
07/07/2025
Deadline
michelle.weathers@clevelandcountync.gov
Contact Email
Full-Time
Job Type
Job Type
ANIMAL SERVICES
Job Category
Job Category
06/20/2025
Posted
Posted
07/07/2025
Deadline
Deadline
N/A
Job Description
Comments From This Job Announcement
Summary
This position performs professional administrative work finding appropriate placement for shelter animals through adoption and/or transfer. This is accomplished by assisting the public and overseeing the coordination of shelter animals for adoptions, transfers of shelter animals into rescue or transfer programs. Work is performed under the Community Engagement Manager. The normal work schedule for this position is Tuesday through Friday from 7:30am-6:00pm and an occasional weekend day to assist with adoptions, adoption events, transfers, holiday coverage or staffing issues that will be determined by a rotating schedule.
Essential Functions And Responsibilities Include
Verifies animals are ready and qualified to be placed in adoption/transfer status, including verifying stray/owner surrender requirements have been properly completed, vaccinations are up-to-date, appropriate evaluations have been completed, applicable behavior/medical waivers are in place, prescriptions are in place, all memos are complete and correct, and conducts behavioral assessment and evaluation to determine eligibility for adoption, and/or transfer to rescue program.
Prepares and maintains required paperwork for the adoption or transfer of animals.
Socializes and evaluates at-risk animals to assess placement and care needs.
Coordinates special adoption events, creates and disseminates promotional publicity for social media channels to promote the adoption of animals.
Performs adoption counseling at the shelter, screens individuals wanting to adopt animals and reviews adoption paperwork to ensure animals are placed in suitable homes.
Schedules adoptable animals for vaccines, preventative care, and health check-ups.
Conducts all post-adoption activities and follow-ups.
Builds and maintains highly effective relationships with rescue groups and manages an up-to-date rescue group lists.
Coordinates the Barn Cat program.
As part of a team environment may occasionally be required to assists with other Animal Services operations when staffing issues arise.
The responsibilities and duties outlined above are intended to provide a general outline and summary of this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed, with or without notice, to meet the needs of the department and county.
Education & Experience
High School Diploma or GED and 1-3 years' experience in animal services, animal health, or animal care and welfare. Experience working with rescues organizations and/or adoption of animals preferred but not required. Associates Degree in Marketing or Communications preferred but not required.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
General knowledge of modern and complex principles and practices of animal care
Advanced knowledge of animal handling and behavior utilizing fear free methods
Working knowledge of common health problems, medical care and treatment of animals with an understanding of common vocabulary used in shelter veterinary medicine
Working knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations
General knowledge of local community resources regarding animal rescue efforts
Ability to coordinate projects, set priorities, and quickly, calmly, and efficiently adapt to changing priorities, meeting deadlines, and juggling multiple and competing priorities.
Ability to maintain detailed records, and effectively communicate animal needs in effort to secure appropriate placement
Excellent communication skills, including both written and oral communication with excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to deal tactfully and effectively with staff, volunteers, and the general public
Ability to make sound judgments and work independently and in a team setting in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel. Experience with animal shelter software helpful.
Work Environment / Physical Requirements
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This work requires frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force
Work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms and lifting
Occasionally requires climbing or balancing, smelling, pushing or pulling and repetitive motions
Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data
Work regularly requires Animal Hair and Dander and Potentially Aggressive Animals
Frequently requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (non-weather)
Occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment
Work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic)
License & Certifications
Valid driver's license and insurable driver's record.
North Carolina Certified Rabies Vaccinator within 6 months of hire.
Dogs Playing for Life training completed within 6 months of hire.
ASPCA Safer Certification within 1 year of hire.
RACE Fear Free Certification within 1 year of hire.
Work Location:
This role must work from the location identified at the time of hire with work travel required as needed. Any change of work location, even on a short-term or interim basis, must be reviewed by the Supervisor and HR for approval.
Additional Information
Individuals hired must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Cleveland County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Cleveland County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
How To Apply For This Job
Click the 'checkbox' next to this job announcement then click the 'Apply & Continue' button.
$18.03/hr.-$23.44/hr. **Compensation will be based on experience**
Salary Range
michelle.weathers@clevelandcountync.gov
Contact Email
Full-Time
Job Type
ANIMAL SERVICES
Job Category
06/20/2025
Posted
07/07/2025
Deadline
michelle.weathers@clevelandcountync.gov
Contact Email
Full-Time
Job Type
Job Type
ANIMAL SERVICES
Job Category
Job Category
06/20/2025
Posted
Posted
07/07/2025
Deadline
Deadline
Salary : $18 - $23
