Animal Care Attendant, Grade 14

About the Position

Animal Care Attendant

"Please note: The salary range above represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $53,567 to $69,748, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience."

WHO WE ARE

The Montgomery County Animal Services & Adoption Center (MCASAC) provides high-quality sheltering and care for homeless, abused, and neglected animals in our community and ensures the safety and welfare of County residents. It's the County's only open-admission municipal shelter.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Office of Animal Services (OAS) is recruiting for an Animal Care Attendant who is passionate about helping animals and people by delivering quality care to the animals we serve. The ideal candidate must be able to follow verbal and written instructions, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision. Most contacts are with co-workers, citizens, supervisors, veterinarians, volunteers, and others to exchange routine information about adoption processes and animal care. Good situational awareness is required to reduce risk to oneself when handling ill, dangerous/aggressive animals. There is some lifting of materials or animals, typically weighing twenty (20) to one hundred (100) pounds; however, some animals may weigh more, and driving is required.

What You'll Be Doing

An Animal Care Attendant is responsible for maintaining a safe and sanitary environment for both animals and people, while providing humane handling and care for all shelter animals. ACA ensures that all animals' nutrition, housing, and basic medical needs are met daily. Additionally, ACA assists the public with animal admissions and adoptions and promotes responsible pet ownership through conversations with customers.

• Handle animals of all sizes and temperaments, including those who may be ill or dangerous/aggressive.
• Maintain and thoroughly clean kennels, cages, and other common areas. Examples include, but are not limited to, removing animal waste, power-washing kennels, mopping and scrubbing, and disinfecting areas where animals are kept, fed, watered, and generally cared for.
• Prepare food, feed, and provide water for shelter animals.
• Wash and sanitize litter and feeding equipment.
• Assist customers who are seeking lost pets and those interested in adopting.
• Respond to questions about specific animals and adoption processes.
• Monitor sick, quarantined, and injured animals, observing them for unusual physical and behavioral conditions. Congregate and isolate animals as necessary.
• Administer medications to animals as dispensed by a veterinarian and maintain accurate health and medication logs.
• Perform initial health assessment of animals arriving at the facility and administer routine vaccinations.
• Participate in the euthanasia process as needed or required.
• Gather, launder, and replace soiled pet bedding.
• Socializes and exercises shelter animals daily.
• Operate power cleaning equipment.
• Maintain and thoroughly clean kennels, cages, and other common areas.
• Wash, sanitize, and disinfect areas and equipment with the proper use of chemicals and cleaning products.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Information

Essential Personnel

The individual selected for this position will be considered an "Essential Employee." Essential employees must report to work during a period of general emergency or liberal leave.

Background Statement:

A background investigation will be conducted into the selected candidate prior to appointment and will be a significant factor in the hiring decision.

Medical Exam

The Selected candidate will be required to complete a medical exam before a successful appointment.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: None.

Education: Graduation from high school or completion of a High School Certificate recognized in the State of Maryland.

License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.

Medical & Background: TheSelected candidate will be required to complete medical clearance before a successful appointment. A background check will be conducted on the selected candidate before appointment, and it will be a significant factor in the hiring decision.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences

Interview selection will be based on the following interview preference criteria:

• Professional experience working with animals
• Experience with handling and restraining animals
• Familiarity with common animal diseases and signs of illness
• Ability to work weekends, days, nights, and holidays
• Comfortable working with scared, fractious, vicious, and or dangerous animals
• Experience with various species of animals
• Feline
• Canine
• Poultry
• Livestock
• Equine
• Wildlife
• Exotic
• Reptiles
• Birds
• Other

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at . Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Salary : $53,567 - $69,748