Kennel Technician

SUMMARY : This position is responsible for the care of animals housed at the Douglas County Animal Shelter. Successful performance contributes to the health and safety of shelter animals. Guidelines include county ordinances, relevant state laws, department policies, procedures and accepted animal care practices. These guidelines are generally clear and specific but may require some interpretation in application.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties include but are not limited to:

· Ensuring that animals are clean, fed, and in general good health; caring for the sick and injured animals

· Receiving payments for animals turned in by owners or reclaimed

· Ordering kennel supplies and animal food

· Transporting suspicious animals to state laboratory for rabies testing

· Assisting with unloading animals from trucks and setting up cages

· Handling adoptions of animals; preparing and maintaining records, ensuring all adoption requirements are met

· Providing information regarding department operations and relevant ordinances

· Cleaning and maintaining cages and kennels

· Coordinating repairs of department facilities and equipment

· Administering medications to animals

· Performing general housekeeping duties

· Performing other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

· High school diploma or GED, and may be supplemented by college-level or vocational course work in a related field

· Minimum two years professional work experience in Animal Services

· An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be 18 years of age or older
  

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

· Possess and maintain a valid Georgia Driver's License (Class C) and a satisfactory motor vehicle record (MVR)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of or ability to learn county and department operations, ordinances, policies, procedures, terminology, and materials as they relate to assignment
• Knowledge of or ability to learn applicable state, federal, state, and local codes and ordinances, laws, rules, and regulations as they relate to assignment

· Knowledge of business English, spelling, and grammar

· Knowledge of basic business mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary for the safe operation of equipment, and tools as required by assignment
• Knowledge of animal behavior, care, disease, and health; symptoms and behavior associated with rabies and other common animal diseases
• Knowledge of basic species and breed identification of common domestic and wild animals
• Knowledge of local Board of Health regulations and requirements as they relate to assignment, facility, equipment, and vehicles
• Skill in animal care and handling; recognizing disease symptoms, enforcing quarantines, performing first aid, administering injections and medications
• Skill in effective inter-personal and public relations and customer service; excellent oral and written communication skills to satisfactorily resolve conflicts and issues, and to explain established policies and procedures to employees and the general public
• Skill in handling and operating all assigned equipment and tools in a safe and proficient manner
• Skill in performing tasks which require attention to detail, and completing assigned jobs efficiently and correctly
• Skill in planning, prioritizing, and organizing work; ability to handle multiple work assignments and deadlines efficiently, accurately, and professionally
• Skill in the operation of a two-way radio
• Skill in the use of personal computers, MS Office Suite, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing; typing and entering data into a computer system accurately and efficiently, 35 words per minute minimum
• Ability to apply common sense to understand, follow, and complete verbal and written instructions
• Ability to communicate and interact clearly and effectively with all those contacted in the course of work in a professional and courteous manner, both orally and in writing; establishing and maintaining effective, professional, and cordial working relationships
• Ability to handle confidential information professionally and to exercise discretion in performing assigned job duties; inability to maintain confidentiality will be grounds for dismissal
• Ability to make sound, independent decisions within policy guidelines by exercising good judgment and intelligent situation-assessment
• Ability to read and comprehend a variety of documents, memos, instructions, correspondence, policies, et cetera
• Ability to remain composed, professional, and pleasant in a stressful environment
• Ability to create clear and concise reports and other written material
• Ability to resolve routine and non-routine problems and complaints by applying or adapting established policies and procedures
• Ability and willingness to meet physical requirements to work (including lifting and carrying heavy objects, and using equipment) indoors or outdoors
• Ability to work in a team setting
• Ability to work independently in the absence of specific instructions or direct supervision
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by any employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; climb ladders; use tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

· The employee must occasionally lift and/or move light and heavy objects, including those weighing more than 100 pounds

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision (including ability to distinguish between shades of color), peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Work includes indoor and outdoor responsibilities with regular exposure to weather conditions

· Work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, and/or gloves

· The employee may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature and noise extremes, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, violence, contagious or infectious diseases, dangerous animals, and/or rude and irate customers

· The employee must frequently work with frightened animals

· Work may involve exposure to personal danger

· The noise level in the work environment is loud