Animal Caretaker

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County is seeking an Animal Caretaker to provide daily care for impounded, surrendered, and sheltered animals while supporting health, behavior, and adoption readiness. Duties include intake processing, feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and record-keeping in the shelter database.

Responsibilities extend to assisting health staff, supervising inmate labor, and coordinating with the public on shelter services.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and driving ability.
• Criminal background must indicate eligibility for supervision of inmate workers.
• Willingness to obtain security training within six months of hire or opportunity.
• Experience in animal care, shelter, clinic, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Daily care of impounded, surrendered, and sheltered animals, including feeding, cleaning, and enrichment.
• Process intake, record entry, and maintain kennel and health observations in the shelter database.
• Assist with animal health tasks under supervision of veterinary staff and care for neonatal or special-needs animals.
• Supervise inmate labor and community service workers; maintain kennel sanitation and inventory.
• Provide information to the public at the kennel and assist with reunification of lost animals.

Skills

Animal care

Record keeping

Customer service

Teamwork

Safety awareness

Vehicle operation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Shelter database

Computer literacy

Job description

REPORTS TO: Shelter Operations Coordinator

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

CLASSIFICATION: Personnel System – Requires satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

PAY GRADE: 107

SAFETY SENSITIVE: Yes – Subject to random drug testing per the Athens-Clarke County Drug and Alcohol Ordinance.

Purpose of Job

The purpose of this job is to provide daily care for impounded, surrendered, and sheltered animals and to support their physical health, behavioral well-being, and overall quality of life while in the care of Animal Services. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, processing animals at intake; feeding, cleaning, and enriching animals; observing animals for signs of illness, injury, or stress; assisting medical staff with animal health care; maintaining the kennel facility; keeping accurate animal care records; assisting the public; supervising community service workers and inmate labor; and performing other duties as assigned.

Job Related Requirements

Work schedule: Rotating start time of 7a or 8a. 8-hour shifts with two consecutive days off. Days off may vary. May be required to work weekends, holidays (including religious holidays), and flexible or extended hours based on shelter needs.

Regular and predictive attendance is required.

Must work cooperatively with others.

Must be willing to complete department-required training and continue learning about animal care, handling, and shelter health practices.

When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACC's safe driving policy.

High school diploma or equivalent required; or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Criminal background must indicate eligibility for the supervision of inmates.

Must obtain security training for the supervision of inmate workers as set forth by the Georgia Department of Corrections Standard Operating Procedures within six months of date of hire or first available opportunity.

Preferred:

Previous experience in animal care, an animal shelter, a veterinary clinic, or a related field. Certification in animal care, veterinary assistance, or pet first aid.

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Daily Animal Care

Feeds animals and provides fresh water according to posted feeding guidelines and individual care instructions.

Cleans and disinfects kennels, cages, and animal enclosures using approved sanitation procedures to limit the spread of disease.

Bathes and grooms animals as needed for health, comfort, and adoption readiness.

Exercises animals and provides daily enrichment, such as toys, play groups, and mental stimulation activities, to reduce stress in the kennel.

Assists with basic behavioral training and handles animals safely and humanely, including fearful, injured, or aggressive animals.

Intake and Records

Processes impounded or surrendered animals, including photographing, scanning for microchips, ID tagging, completing kennel cards and impound forms, placing the animal in the kennel, and entering intake information in the shelter database.

Keeps accurate records of animal health observations, behavior, feeding, and care routines in the shelter database.

Animal Health Support

Observes animals daily for signs of illness, injury, or behavioral change and promptly reports concerns to the Animal Health Technician, veterinary staff, or supervisor.

Assists the Animal Health Technician and veterinary staff with intake vaccinations, medications, treatments, and basic first aid when directed.

Assists with the care of neonatal and special-needs animals as assigned.

Assists with humane euthanasia as needed and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Facility and Kennel Operations

Maintains a sanitary and clean kennel by ensuring that proper sanitizing procedures are used by inmates, community service workers, and volunteers.

Keeps inventory and advises when to reorder food, sanitation supplies, and other kennel supplies.

Supervises inmate labor.

Supervises and assigns work to Community Service Workers.

Public Service and Reunification

Assists customers in the kennel and provides information to the public about shelter animals, animal care, and adoption.

Cross checks lost and found reports, online postings, and other sources against animals in the shelter in order to reunite lost animals with their owners.

Transports animals to and from veterinary clinics and other area animal welfare agencies.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the Animal Services Department as they relate to the position of Animal Caretaker.

Knowledge of the terminology used within the Department.

Knowledge of basic animal husbandry, sanitation, and first-aid procedures.

Knowledge of animal behavior, body language, and common health indicators.

Knowledge of and ability to use computer, shelter database, and record-keeping software.

Ability to handle animals safely and compassionately.

Ability to identify common animal diseases and signs of illness, injury, or distress.

Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, other staff members, volunteers, and the public.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.

Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize daily assignments and work activities, and to manage time effectively.

Ability to pay close attention to detail and to observe and record changes in animal condition.

Ability to comprehend and apply regulations and procedures of the department.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, computer, animal traps, restraint poles, transport vehicles, bolt cutters, snake tongs, muzzles, animal stretcher, and pressure washers and cleaning equipment. This position requires: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently. Requires physical stamina to stand and walk for most of the shift and to work in noisy, wet, and varying temperature conditions with exposure to animal waste, cleaning chemicals, and zoonotic disease. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those of medium work.

DATA CONCEPTION

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, animals, or things.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Requires the ability to speak and/or signal people and/or animals to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments from co-workers, assistants, or supervisors.

LANGUAGE ABILITY

Requires the ability to reach a variety of forms, informational documentation, directions, methods, or procedures. Requires the ability to complete reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control, and confidence.

INTELLIGENCE

Requires the ability to learn and understand basic principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.

VERBAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical, or professional languages including veterinary.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; and multiply and divide.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with various animal control devices and office equipment.

MOTOR COORDINATION

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using animal control or office equipment or in performing tasks.

MANUAL DEXTERITY

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as animal control devices and office equipment. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DISCRIMINATION

May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency. Must be adaptable to managing conflict on a routine basis. Must be adaptable to coping with the grief associated with animal euthanasia.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

ACCGov is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. ACCGov is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Leah Jagatic, HR Coordinator, Human Resources, 762-400-6370 or [e-mail].