Animal Shelter Attendant

An employee in this class performs duties associated with the care and maintenance of the animal shelter.  The employee will be responsible maintaining the cleanliness and inventory of the Animal Shelter and the care and health of the animals in it.  The employee will also assist with adoptions and coordinating with rescues to attempt to prevent euthanasia of shelter animals. The employee is subject to indoor environmental conditions; conditions which may affect the respiratory system and the skin such as fumes, poor ventilation, or carbon monoxide gas; and working around significant noise.  Work in the animal services field is also subject to the final standards of OSHA on blood borne pathogens.  Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Animal Services Manager and is evaluated through observation, conferences, and the quality and effectiveness of work completed.Cleans and maintains animal confinement area, cleans, and disinfects cages; feeds and waters confined animals; makes routine inspections of animals and their cages to monitor health, safety, cleanliness of cages, etc.
Washes food and water bowls, shelter laundry, any shelter utensils and keeps facility sanitary. 
Encourages adoptions of sheltered animals; assists interested parties in claiming or adopting confined animals, processing required paperwork, collecting fees, and providing receipts, etc., as necessary.
Provides customer service to visitors of the animal center looking for their lost pet or looking to adopt a pet.
Ensures the safety and health of animals within the facility.
Provides food and daily care for animals in the Animal Shelter
Administers medication and vaccinations to animals in the Animal Shelter
Maintains records of impounded animals
Assists with destroying diseased, vicious, and unclaimed animals in a prescribed manner.
Reports to the Animal Care Technicians any potential health or behavioral problems involving the animals in the Animal Shelter
Maintains supply inventories.
 Performs and/or assists in euthanasia of un-adoptable or diseased animals, and decapitation of animals for the purpose of rabies testing. 
Performs necessary weekend, after hours work and holiday schedule work as needed. May be scheduled to rotate weekends with other staff members to feed animals and clean Animal Shelter. During a county disaster or emergency, employee will be scheduled to work shelters to care for pets and abandoned animals, animal rescue, etc.

Additional Job Duties
Administrative duties when needed.
Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of principles, practices, methods, techniques, and equipment used in the maintenance and operation of animal shelters to include care and feeding of animals and the methods of cleaning and sanitizing animal quarters. 
Knowledge of relevant laws, rules and regulations pertaining to sheltering of animals. 
General knowledge of physical and behavioral characteristics of common breeds of domestic animals. 
Knowledge of common disease symptoms and behaviors domestic animals display. 
Knowledge of the practices and techniques in the welfare and humane treatment of animals. 
Working knowledge of department policies, rules, regulations, and procedures. 
Ability to deal tactfully, courteously, and firmly with the public.
Ability to deescalate irate citizens while maintaining a professional manner.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees.


Completion of high school and some experience with animals; requires knowledge of animal handling skills, animal behavior, and animal care; or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.Possession of a valid NC driver’s license.
Must be able to obtain certification in animal euthanasia techniques.
Must be able to obtain certification in vaccinating animals for rabies.
    

Salary : $36,161 - $37,969