Kennel Technician

Nature of Work
This is responsible animal control work assisting with all aspects of the caring and placement of animals taken to the Maury County Animal Shelter. Activities associated with the job include assisting with the supervision and training of inmates assisting at the shelter, overseeing and assisting with the intake of stray and/or abandoned animals, providing care for animals until they are reunited with their owner, adopted and/or euthanized, ensuring that the shelter is maintained in an organized and sanitary condition and providing the animals with daily nutritional, exercise and grooming needs. Additional responsibilities include educating the public about rabies control and regulations governing animals, assisting the public with admitting and/or adopting animals, observing and evaluating the health and condition of animals, performing basic laboratory tests and performing euthanasia activities when necessary. Job responsibilities require good interpersonal, organizational and decision making skills, considerable experience in animal control activities and working with animals, considerable knowledge of all state regulations and local ordinances governing the care and treatment of animals, ability to consistently adhere to established operational policies and procedures and sufficient strength and agility to perform the physically demanding aspects of the job in a variety of weather conditions. Job performance is evaluated by the Animal Shelter Director through review of the effectiveness of animal handling and control activities, ability to effectively supervise and direct the activities of volunteers and inmates, knowledge of state regulations and local ordinances governing animal control activities, level of support and assistance provided for shelter operations and organizational, interpersonal and decision making skills.

Illustrative Examples of Work
-Consistently adheres to established operational policies and procedures to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Animal Shelter.
-Assists with supervising and directing the daily activities of all volunteers and trustees and training them in shelter operations and procedures.
-Assists with performing required administrative duties such as logging calls, preparing surrender forms, bite reports, etc.
-Assists with ensuring the cleanliness and proper maintenance of the animal shelter and recommends the procurement of maintenance services when necessary.
-Ensures the humane handling and care of all animals taken in by the animal shelter and ensures that each animal’s nutritional and housing needs are met on a daily basis.
-Assists with maintaining records for each incineration in accordance with EPA standards and regulations.
-Assists the public with the admission and adoption of animals and promotes responsible pet ownership at all times.
-Observes and evaluates animals for signs of illness and reports symptoms to the appropriate personnel.
-Ensures the proper maintenance and operation of the incinerator and cleans as necessary.
-Assists with performing all euthanasia procedures under the direction of the Animal Shelter Director and Licensed Veterinary Technician.
-Assists the public with completing application forms and makes assessments of their ability to adequately care for adopted pets.
-Transports inmates back to the correctional facility at the end of each day.
-Transports animals to the veterinarian when necessary.
-Interacts with pet owners and the public when dealing with stray or abandoned animals and animals that have been hurt or have bitten someone.
-Assists with educating the public on the law and ordinances pertaining to animal ownership and control.
-Assists with compiling statistics, maintaining records and preparing reports of shelter activities, animal dispositions and animal control activities.
-Assists with the intake of animals and the day to day showing and adoption of animals.
-Assists in ascertaining the health and disposition of animals brought to the animal shelter.
-Assists with ensuring a proper inventory of all supplies and equipment required for animal control and shelter operations; re-stocks and runs errands when necessary.
-Performs related duties as required.