Animal Care Technician

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County Public Health seeks an Animal Care Technician to contribute to the welfare of animals in a shelter environment. This full-time position involves various responsibilities including animal care, sanitation, and community outreach. Ideal candidates will have prior animal care experience and a strong commitment to animal welfare.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working in an animal shelter or with animals desired.
• Knowledge of animal care practices and proper handling.

Responsibilities

• Clean and sanitize animal holding areas.
• Feed and care for animals at the shelter.
• Assist with data entry and managing animal records.

Skills

Communication

Animal Care

Organizational Leadership

Collaboration

Adaptability

Education

High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the Kennel Supervisor, the Animal Care Technician is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing animal holding areas as required. The Animal Care Technician will be responsible for counseling citizens interested in pet adoptions, searching for lost pets, assisting in photographing animals and accurate data entry of animal and citizen information. This position also involves witnessing the humane euthanasia of animals.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for daily sanitation and maintenance of animal holding pens and cages.
• Responsible for the daily feeding and watering of all animals in the shelter.
• Assists in reviewing health status of animals and advises veterinary staff of any medical problems with animals in the shelter.
• Humanely transports animals from unloading areas or reception area and ensures that animals are assigned kennels.
• Assists citizens and fosters search for lost or adoptable pets, counsel new adopters on responsible pet ownership, and approves/rejects adoption applications.
• Assists Kennel Supervisor with humane euthanasia as required.
• Assist in daily task of photographing and updating information in database, on animals to be placed on the Internet.
• Data entry.
• Cleans, stores and maintains all equipment necessary for feeding, watering and care of animals.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or [e-mail].

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Education:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.

Experience:

• At least one (1) year experience working in an animal shelter, animal care environment, or pet ownership.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• Must be comfortable working with animals.
• Must be willing to assist the supervisor with humane euthanasia of animals.

Core Competencies:

Organizational Leadership

• Understands the organizational mission
• Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
• Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others

Collaboration

• Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
• Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
• Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs

Innovation

• Ability to adapt to change

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics

• Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
• Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
• Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
• Uses sound judgment
• Self-motivated
• Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity

Communication

• Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation, butONLY the information stated on the application will be used for consideration.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a Full-Time position; 40 hours per week.
• This position requires flexibility in schedules.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in an animal shelter environment. Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.

Physical Demands:

• Will be required to bend, lift, stoop, and stand for long periods of time. Frequent lifting of animals or materials up to 50 pounds.

Work Location:

• Harris County Pets - Veterinary Public Health: 612 Canino Rd, Houston, TX 77076.

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.