Animal Care Technician FT

Alexander County, NC; Taylorsville (NC); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Health Clinic

Employee Wellness Program

Leave benefits

Job summary

Alexander County, NC seeks a compassionate Animal Care Attendant to care for impounded dogs and cats in the county shelter. The role includes feeding, moving animals between enclosures, and cleaning kennels following strict protocols.

The position also supports vaccination and euthanasia tasks under supervision. You will interact with potential adopters, assist with front desk duties, and help maintain a safe, clean shelter environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Ability to follow written and oral protocols.
• Experience handling dogs and cats is beneficial.
• Ability to work independently and with compassion.

Responsibilities

• Care for impounded dogs and cats in the county shelter.
• Feed animals according to protocols and move them between enclosures as needed.
• Clean and disinfect cages, litter areas, and bedding daily.
• Assist with vaccination, de-worming, and routine veterinary tasks.
• Provide social interaction to improve adoptability of animals.
• Support front desk coverage and counseling of potential adopters.

Skills

Animal handling

Safety practices

Independence

Empathy

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Position Description

Provides care for impounded dogs and cats in the county animal shelter. An employee in this class performs tasks associated with care of impounded animals and general cleaning of the kennel and cattery areas. Work involves feeding animals, moving animals from one enclosure to another, and cleaning primary animal enclosures, laundry, and other kennel areas following strict cleaning and disinfection protocols based on the Animal Welfare Act. Work also involves assisting the shelter manager with euthanasia, vaccination, and de-worming of animals as needed. Employee is subject to the usual hazards of handling dogs and cats. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Assistant Director but ability to follow specific protocols independent of direct supervision is expected. Weekend and holiday work may be required. Employee also is cross-trained to cover front desk duties and to counsel potential adopters as needed.

Responsibilities

• Feeds impounded animals following specific protocols.
• Moves animals from one enclosure to another as needed.
• Cleans & disinfects both cat and dog enclosures, including cleaning litter pans, following specific protocols.
• Washes dog and cat bedding and other kennel laundry daily.
• Provides social interaction with dogs and cats to enhance their adoptability.
• Assists shelter veterinarian or shelter manager with euthanasia, vaccination, and de-worming as required.
• Assists with transporting animals and picking up donations when needed.
• Shares responsibility for counseling potential adopters.
• Shares responsibility for front desk coverage.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of handling of dogs and cats, especially poorly socialized ones with little or no training.
• Working knowledge of safety practices concerning the handling of dogs and cats.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral instructions as well as step-by-step written protocols.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to handle fearful and untamed animals with compassion and empathy.

Required Minimum Education / Experience

• Graduation from high school or GED.
• Possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Experience Preferred

Experience as a veterinary technician or assistant or with experience in a commercial kennel setting.

Alexander County is a rewarding and supportive workplace, where employees are valued and encouraged to grow.

We offer a full compensation package including quality benefits that include flexible options designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families.

Health Care

Requirements

Medical Insurance – Employee medical insurance is 100% paid provided wellness incentive requirements are met. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:
Child: $75.00 Children: $225.00 Spouse: $250.00 Family: $425.00

Dental Insurance – Employee dental insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:
Child(ren): $19.28 Spouse: $21.47 Family: $59.52

Vision Insurance – Employee vision insurance is 100% paid. Spouse and family coverage is available at employee expense per pay period:
Child(ren): $4.19 Spouse: $3.77 Family: $8.12

Wellness

Health Clinic – Available to all County employees and dependents covered under the medical insurance plan. Covered visits include ear infections, colds, first aid, physicals, and other acute care needs.

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) – The medical plan offers alternative therapies such as acupuncture, hypnotherapy, massage therapy, yoga, and others. Specific requirements must be met for partial reimbursement - refer to the employee benefit guide for more information.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Counseling services are available to all employees and dependents in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting. The County provides coverage for the first five visits per year.

YMCA – No joining or monthly membership fees for eligible employees. Employees may opt to upgrade their membership to a family rate of $7.50 per pay period.

Genesis Fitness – Discounted member fees for eligible employees - refer to the employee benefit guide for more information.

Work/Life Balance

Holidays – Twelve days of paid leave are provided throughout the year to eligible employees.

Sick Leave – Employees earn eight hours per month; EMS employees earn 11 hours per month.

Annual Leave – Employees earn prorated hours per month based upon years of service and hours worked.

Birth Month Leave – Employees will receive the equivalent hours of one regular workday added to their annual leave on the second day of their birth month.

Community Involvement Leave – Employees earn eight hours per calendar year, expiring on December 31.

Bereavement Leave – Employees are given 24 hours of paid leave to grieve the loss of an immediate family member.

Parental Leave – Eligible employees can request up to 6 weeks of paid leave per calendar year.

Discount Tickets – Discount tickets to various recreational venues including AMC Theaters, Carowinds, Tweetsie Railroad, Biltmore Estate, and others.

Financial Stability

NC Local Government Retirement System – The Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (LGERS) is a defined benefit plan. Full-time and eligible part‑time employees are automatically enrolled in the system. Employees contribute a mandatory, fixed 6% on a pre‑tax basis. An employee is considered vested after five years of contributory service.

Life Insurance – $12,500 of Life and AD&D at no cost to the employee. Additional coverage is available at employee expense.

Longevity – After five (5) years of continuous full-time County service, employees receive an annual lump sum payment of 1.5% of their salary during their anniversary month. Moving forward, the amount increases by .10 per year based upon years of service.

401k and 457 Deferred Compensation – The County will match full-time and eligible part-time employee's voluntary 401(k) contribution, up to 2% of their salary. Sworn Law Enforcement Officers (LEO) receive an additional automatic 5% County contribution.

Tuition Reimbursement – Employees who have completed their initial probationary period are eligible to participate in the tuition reimbursement program of up to $1,000 per semester in qualified expenses.

Supplemental Benefits – The County partners with Aflac, as an employee option, for additional supplemental benefits.

Local Government Federal Credit Union (CIVIC) – Memberships are available to County employees.

For additional details on benefits, please review the Alexander County policies at www.alexandercountync.gov or contact the Human Resources Department at [phone].