Animal Caretaker

Stafford County; Stafford (VA); On-site; USD 27,000 - 29,000; Part time

Job summary

Stafford County is seeking an Animal Caretaker for its Sheriff's Office Animal Shelter. This part-time role (28 hours per week, daytime hours) focuses on feeding, cleaning, animal care, and data entry.

The successful candidate will assist volunteers, visitors, and residents while maintaining a safe shelter environment. The position requires a High School Diploma or equivalent and at least six months of animal-care experience.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; 6 months experience with animals.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to follow precise instructions for dispensing medication (as applicable).

Responsibilities

• Greet customers and provide intake documents
• Receive, process, handle and transport animals
• Feed, water and provide care for animals
• Clean and disinfect shelter, cages and equipment
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs
• Observe animals for illness
• Administer medications and coordinate veterinary checks
• Record health information and shelter data
• Provide information to the public regarding services
• Assist with adoptions, releases and redemptions
• Operate computer systems for records

Skills

Experience with animals

Ability to follow instructions

Ability to handle animals safely

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

ANIMAL CARETAKER

Hiring Range $19.25 – $21.20 per hour

Part-time Position – 28 hours per week/daytime hours

Prior related experience and internal equity factors will be considered when determining

the final hourly rate offered to the selected candidate(s).

Candidates without prior animal-related work experience will start at the beginning of the hiring range.

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:

Under general supervision, performs a combination of technical and custodial duties in support of the Sheriff's Office Animal Shelter's operations. Duties include cleaning and maintaining shelter cages and facility structures and recording information and activities. Performs responsible, routine work in the field of animal care; provides direct services to the animals and assists volunteers, visitors, and residents of Stafford County. Work is conducted at the direction of the Shelter Manager or Assistant Manager.

• Greets customers and provides intake documents
• Receives, processes, handles and transports animals
• Feeds, waters and provides general care for animals at the shelter
• Cleans and disinfects the shelter, its cages, equipment and structures - ensures facility is neat, orderly and clean
• Performs work in the general maintenance of the shelter facility - makes minor repairs to equipment
• Observes animals for illness
• Administers medications, assists with vaccinations and schedules veterinary checks to care for animal health
• Washes and removes external parasites for animals
• Prepares and maintains information related to animal tests; records; adoptions; and related health information
• Provides information and assistance regarding department services through telephone calls and direct person on-site customer service
• Communicates with the general public concerning adoption, release and redemption of animals
• Dispatches citizen complaint calls to Animal Control Officers
• Inputs and retrieves information on the computer such as records on dog licenses, citizen complaints, and shelter information
• Performs related tasks of a similar nature or level as required

• General knowledge of the care and feeding of domesticated animals and necessary safety precautions
• General knowledge of animal breeds and common animal diseases
• Demonstrated interest in animals
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions
• Ability to follow precise instructions for dispensing medication
• Ability to handle animals in a humane manner and without personal injury
• Ability to move heavy, immobilized, or resistant animals
• Ability to assist the public and communicate effectively
• Ability to read animal behavior and maintain a safe environment
• Ability to document behavior in clear language based on observable behavior
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and avoid negative interpersonal altercations
• Ability to use a computer and standard business software

High School Diploma or equivalent and six (6) months experience cleaning or handling domestic animals; OR any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The selected candidate will be required to successfully complete the hiring process which may include an interview, fingerprint and criminal history check, background investigation and pre-employment drug and alcohol testing.

Possession of a valid driver’s license and proof of acceptable driving record compliant with County policy such as to allow operation of County vehicles

Must be able to work a flexible schedule including shift work, weekends, holidays or on call

Animal Caretakers may be considered essential personnel and must have the ability to report to work in emergency conditions

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects; and some work requiring the lifting or dragging, for short distances, of 100 pounds of force occasionally; up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; work requires stooping, kneeling, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pulling, lifting and grasping; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions; i.e., extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, hazards and atmospheric conditions.