531 - Animal Care Technician I

Brownsville; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The City of Brownsville is seeking an Animal Care Technician I to help care for impounded animals and support the City Shelter’s daily operations.

Responsibilities include feeding, cleaning, inspecting animals, administering medications, and assisting with animal handling. Weekend or after-hours work may be required; training certs must be obtained within 12 months of hire.

Qualifications

• High school or GED with ability to read and write; two years of experience preferred.
• Valid Texas Driver's License required.
• Animal Care Training Certificate and Euthanasia Technician Certification within 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Includes knowledge of basic, routine tasks and ability to operate simple tools.
• Inspect kennels; report abnormalities to supervisor and veterinary staff.
• Handle or use catchpoles, syringes, DEA regulated drugs; administer medications as needed.
• Clean and disinfect cages, kennels, litter boxes, food bowls; wash bedding.
• Feed and waters all animals daily; inspect animals and provide care.
• Assist in euthanasia when necessary; weekend/after-hours work possible.

Skills

Effective Communications

Animal Care and Nutrition

Animal Handling and Restraint

Animal Behavior

Time Management

Responsible

Education

High school or GED

Valid Texas Driver's License

Animal Care Training Certificate

Animal Euthanasia Technician Certification

Job description

Title: 531 - Animal Care Technician I

Organization: 531-Health: Animal Control

Department: 531- Animal Control

Location: BARCC

Rate of Pay: $14.50

Job Summary

The purpose of the class is to perform the tasks of caring for impounded animals and maintaining the City Animal Shelter.

Competencies

• Effective Communications
• Animal Care and Nutrition
• Animal Handling and Restraint Skills
• Animal Behavior
• Time Management
• Responsible

Key Functions/Knowledge/Skills

• Includes knowledge of basic, routine, or repetitive tasks or operations, such as the ability to operate or use simple tools and equipment.
• Inspects kennel areas checking each animal individually for any abnormal activity such as vomiting, diarrhea, or blood in the kennels. Reports all abnormal activity to supervisors, Vet and Technician, and makes appropriate notes so the animals may be examined.
• Requires handling or using catchpoles, syringes for injections, DEA regulated drugs, administering medications and use of machinery as needed.
• Cleans and disinfects cages, kennels, cat litter boxes, food bowls, and outdoor yard as needed, including changing and washing soiled bedding.
• Operates washer and dryer to clean kennel bedding.
• Performs routine work of sheltering and caring for impounded animals, and completes all the necessary paperwork.
• Responsible for the general cleaning of building and premises.
• Feeds and waters all animals daily.
• Inspects animals on a routine basis, gives shots, baths, dips and cares for animals to include daily walking.
• Assists in euthanasia of animals as necessary.
• Work hours may include weekends, after hours, holidays, special events.
• Performs related tasks as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience

High school or GED (no experience), or sufficient education to read and write plus two years of experience.

Special Certifications & Licenses

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Animal Care Training Certificate, Animal Euthanasia Technician Certification must be obtained within 12 months of the hire date.

Independence & Judgement

Minimal judgment; instructions, once established and defined, normally allow the job to be accomplished without direct and/or constant supervision; mostly routine work requiring that employee recognize obvious problems; situations outside the instructions are referred to the supervisor or lead worker.

Initiative & Ingenuity

Low chance of error because work is routine/repetitive/simple/reviewed carefully; standard procedures: don't have to come up with creative solutions; refers anything unusual to supervisor.

Supervisory & Responsibility

Does not supervise.

Financial Responsibility

Does not deal with money.

Level & Frequency of Outside Contact

Infrequent or non-difficult contacts with other people inside and/or outside department; straightforward information exchange, etc.

Physical Demands

Mostly moderate and fairly steady active physical exertion; may require brief periods of heavy muscular exertion, such as standing, lifting, moving, pulling, pushing, etc. Requires medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, or lifting all of the time, exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis, exceptional skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of fingers, hands and limbs in tasks involving very close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Responsibility for Equipment & Property

Responsible for use of equipment/property such as office equipment, supplies, etc., which are used in office.

Working Conditions

Fair inside or outside conditions; exposure to disagreeable conditions is brief or otherwise insignificant; space problems; only occasional situations that place the employee in a stressful environment.

Other Requirements

The City of Brownsville requires all employees to successfully pass a Drug & Alcohol and a physical examination and a Background Check.

ADA Requirements

The City of Brownsville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

Benefits

The City of Brownsville offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support its employees’ well-being and future. Employees participate in a robust retirement plan through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) City to Employee Matching Ratio 2:1, with eligibility for retirement after 5 years of service at age 60 or 20 years of service at any age.

The City provides exceptional health benefits, including medical, dental, and life insurance plans for employees and their families, along with vision coverage for employees enrolled in health insurance through MetLife. Employees and their dependents can also access care at Frontier Clinic at no cost when covered by the City’s health plan. Additionally, pet insurance is available as a voluntary benefit.

Employees have access to deferred compensation plans through Equitable and supplemental insurance options from AFLAC and Colonial Life. Full-time employees accrue 10 sick days and 15 vacation days annually.

The City offers parental leave concurrent with FMLA for eligible employees, longevity pay, and 100% tuition assistance up to $5,000 annually. Furthermore, Brownsville observes 14 holidays per year, plus two floating holidays, giving employees a balanced and rewarding work-life experience.

Starting in fiscal year 2025, employees will have access to flexible scheduling options as part of our commitment to work-life balance.

EEOC Statements

The City of Brownsville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.