Animal Care Specialist I/II - Extra-Help Animal Care Specialist I/II

Examples of Duties

This recruitment is being established to obtain a current eligible list for both full time and Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Extra-Help pay is $16.51- $17.18 per hour.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Receives, unloads, processes and impounds animals from the general public and Animal Service Officers.
  
• Separate all newly received animals for observation, treatment, and segregation.
  
• Assess animal's condition.
  
• Administer vaccination for common diseases.
  
• Scan for microchip identification device.
  
• Assign the animal a unique tracking number and collar.
  
• Accurately fills out appropriate forms.
  
• Place the animal in the kennel or arranges for it to be examined by a veterinarian if needed.
  
• May assist Shelter Veterinarian in surgical suite and clean maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment as required.
  
• Performs general, continuous clean up and maintenance of the assigned service area and grounds by washing with prescribed cleaning material or chemicals utilizing proper safety practices and equipment.
  
• Operates small trucks and stock trailers used in transporting animals, equipment, and supplies.
  
• Examines animals to determine age/sex, behavioral characteristics, and overall condition.
  
• Maintains inventory of food, tools, and other related supplies.
  
• Conducts informational tours, educational tours for interested groups visiting the facility.
  
• Conducts animal adoption interviews with potential adopters.
  
• Administers vaccines and other prescribed medications to animals in our care.
  
• Implant microchip identification devices.
  
• Assists the Animal Control Supervisor and/or Animal Care Specialist II in performing humane euthanasia.
  
• Performs Humane Euthanasia (ACS II).
  
• May assist Shelter Veterinarian in surgical suite and clean maintain and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment as required.
  
• May direct and oversee the activities of volunteers, community service, work-in-lieu, welfare-to-work or work experience participants.

Minimum Qualifications

Animal Care Specialist I

Experience:
Some experience in the feeding, care and maintenance of domestic companion animals and/or livestock.

Education:
High school graduation or equivalent.

Licenses:
At the time of appointment, possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License free of repetitive moving violations and preventable accidents. Record Verification will be required.

Obtain California certification for euthanasia by injection prior to the end of probationary period. Any employee failing to obtain this certification may be terminated from employment.

Animal Care Specialist II

Experience:
Minimum of one (1) year experience comparable to an Animal Care Specialist I in Merced County.

Licenses:
At the time of appointment, possess and maintain a valid California Driver's License free of repetitive moving violations and preventable accidents. Record Verification will be required.

Possession of valid California Euthanasia by Injection certificate.

POSITIONS IN THIS CLASSIFICATION SERIES WILL BE SUBJECT TO A CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Communicate effectively with others in person, in writing, or using various types of communication devices.
  
• Safely use animal handling equipment and small hand tools for repair of equipment and facility maintenance.
  
• Provide customer service in a courteous and professional manner.
  
• Analyze data, interpret policies, procedures and regulations, develop appropriate conclusions, and prepare reports.
  
• Meet deadlines under stressful conditions.
  
• Resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to complaints.
  
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
  
• Conduct field activities on uneven surfaces under various environmental conditions.
  
• Physically restrain animals.
  
• Drive a light truck safely and in accordance with traffic laws.
  
• Occasional use of computers and various office equipment.
  
• Sitting or standing for extended periods, walking for extended periods over uneven terrain or surfaces.
  
• Occasional climbing stairs or ladders.
  
• Driving, pushing/pulling and bending/squatting.
  
• Frequent lifting and carrying of 5 to 50 pounds and occasional lifting and carrying of up to 75 pounds unassisted.
  
• Constant use of overall visual capabilities
  
• Frequent use of color and depth perception, peripheral vision, hand/eye coordination, reading and/or close up work.
  
• Normal dexterity with constant holding, frequent grasping, reaching, repetitive motion, fine manipulation skills and writing.
  
• Constant hearing normal speech, hearing/talking on the radio/telephone and in person.
  
• Constant concentration with frequent public contact.
  
• Frequent euthanasia of both sick and healthy animals.
  
• Occasional exposure to emergency situations, animal related trauma grief, or death.
  
• Assignments require working weekends, overtime, holidays and early morning.
  
• Use of various hand tools and powered maintenance equipment.
  
• Frequent interaction with animals of various types and temperaments.
  
Exposure to outdoor conditions including heat/cold, dust, chemical residues, allergens, or odors; exposure to noise, indoor/outdoor industrial conditions including heat/cold, odors, chemicals and biohazards.

Regular attendance is an essential function.

• Various breeds of dogs, cats and other domestic and wild animals.
  
• Procedures in keeping kennels sanitary.
  
• Proper materials and procedures used for cleaning purposes.
  
• Proper euthanasia and disposal techniques for animals.
  
• Proper care, handling and feeding for various dogs and animals and the common diseases of animals and their symptoms.
  
• General maintenance equipment and techniques.
  
• Basic animal handling techniques and basic behavioral characteristics of domestic pets, common wildlife and livestock.
  
• Basic understanding of common domestic pet anatomy.
  
• Basic understanding of state and local laws relating to the care and maintenance of domestic pets, livestock, wildlife and quarantining of suspected rabid animals.

• Care for various types of animals including those that are sick or injured, humanely and sympathetically.
  
• Perform a variety of animal shelter maintenance activities using hand or power tools.
  
• Handle animals properly without fear, safely and humanely.
  
• Clean and sanitize assigned areas and equipment.
  
• Administer medications and properly store, handle and log-controlled substances.
  
• Use various types of office equipment including personal computers.
  
• Perform injections on shelter animals including implanting microchip identification devices.
  
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
  
• Keep clear and accurate records.
  
• Work cooperatively with others.

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).

SICK LEAVE

0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.

INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums. Medical plan availability varies based on bargaining units.

• Anthem 500 EPO
• Anthem 1500 EPO
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

• Represented Employees $10,000

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee

RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pretax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.

EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.

EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.

EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS

The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.

For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at 209.385.7682