Animal Care Technician

City of Memphis; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Memphis seeks a Shelter Support staffer at the Memphis Animal Shelter to provide clerical help and routine care for sheltered animals, while assisting customers with adoptions and lost-pet services.

Responsibilities include cleaning kennels, feeding and medicating animals, recording data, and helping train new personnel. This role requires good communication, basic computer skills, and the ability to work in a busy animal shelter environment.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent with one year of animal care experience.
• Alternative: three college units in Biology/Life/Animal Science or related field.
• Basic computer skills and typing experience required.
• Must obtain Certified Animal Euthanasia Technician within one year.
• ALAT/LAT/LATG certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides basic clerical support and routine care for sheltered animals.
• Cleans kennels, cages, pens; baths animals as directed.
• Feeds, waters, and medicates animals; assists in training new personnel.
• Assists the public with lost-pet locating and adoption information.
• Maintains shelter facilities using steam cleaning equipment.

Skills

Clear verbal and written communication

Basic computer skills

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Biology/Life/Animal Science coursework (3 college units)

Experience in animal care and handling

Tools

Computer typing

Data entry

Job description

Salary Range:$46,146.88 - $46,146.88

Works under the general direction of an assigned supervisor at the Memphis Animal Shelter to provide basic clerical support and routine care for sheltered animals, maintenance of the shelter, and service to customers. Cleans kennels, cages, and pens where animals are housed. Cleans and bathes animals as directed. Performs humane euthanasia. Records paperwork on diagnostic procedures performed, such as surgical procedures, health screening programs, etc. Inputs data of adopted animals, adopted returned animals, and animal impoundment into the computer system. Feeds, waters, and medicates animals. Assists in the training of new personnel by answering questions, demonstrating animal care techniques, and sharing knowledge of departmental policies. Assists the public in locating and redeeming lost pets and providing information on pet adoption and redemption procedures. Cleans and maintains shelter facilities using pressurized steam cleaning equipment and chemicals.

Job Description

Salary Range:$46,146.88 - $46,146.88

Works under the general direction of an assigned supervisor at the Memphis Animal Shelter to provide basic clerical support and routine care for sheltered animals, maintenance of the shelter, and service to customers. Cleans kennels, cages, and pens where animals are housed. Cleans and bathes animals as directed. Performs humane euthanasia. Records paperwork on diagnostic procedures performed, such as surgical procedures, health screening programs, etc. Inputs data of adopted animals, adopted returned animals, and animal impoundment into the computer system. Feeds, waters, and medicates animals. Assists in the training of new personnel by answering questions, demonstrating animal care techniques, and sharing knowledge of departmental policies. Assists the public in locating and redeeming lost pets and providing information on pet adoption and redemption procedures. Cleans and maintains shelter facilities using pressurized steam cleaning equipment and chemicals.

Responsibilities

Performs additional functions (essential and otherwise).

Typical Physical Demands

Must be able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing. Requires the ability to operate general office equipment, such as a computer and telephone. Also requires the ability to use equipment, such as hoses and ladders, to clean, lift, and handle incoming animals, such as dogs, cats, weighing up to 25 lbs. and 50 lbs with assistance. Constant lifting, standing, and traversing shelter grounds required.

Typical Working Conditions

Work is performed in an animal shelter environment. Frequent exposure to noise, fumes, and unpleasant surrounding. Involves contact with staff, visitors, and the general public.

Qualifications

High School graduate or equivalent and one (1) year experience (full-time or part-time) in animal care and handling to include the care of or maintenance of companion animals, such as, dogs, cats, etc. or the completion of three (3) semester units or four (4) quarter units from a recognized college or university in Biology, Life/Animal Science or related field; or any combination of experience or training which enables one to perform the essential job functions. Basic computer and typing experience required. Must obtain and maintain a certification as a Certified Animal Euthanasia Technician within one (1) year of employment as a condition of continued employment. Certification as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT), or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) preferred. May be required to complete a battery of tests as deemed appropriate by Human Resources to evaluate competencies associated with the job.