ANIMAL SERVICES OFFICER

Gfoat; Richardson (TX); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Richardson seeks a dedicated Shelter Operations Assistant to support daily animal shelter tasks, impounds, adoptions, and field responses. The role involves assisting the public, maintaining records in the shelter’s inventory system, and supporting medical and administrative functions under supervision.

Qualifications include two years of college coursework, a valid Texas driver’s license, and Animal Control Certification (or within 12 months). Evening/weekend/on-call duties are required.

Qualifications

• Two years of undergraduate college coursework required; additional experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Texas Driver's License, Class C, required.
• Texas Department of State Health Services basic Animal Control Certification required, or must obtain within 12 months.
• Must complete 30 hours of continuing education every three years; euthanasia certification within 120 days of employment.

Responsibilities

• Performs impounds, creates new database records, and maintains updated record information.
• Performs adoptions, intakes, surrenders, and related duties; handles microchips and redemptions.
• Cleans and prepares animal cages and kennels; assists the public with animal removal when needed.
• Communicates courteously with the public, team members, and city staff on a daily basis.
• Supports Shelter/Clinic operations with foster intakes/returns, paperwork, vaccinations, and related duties.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Computer literacy

Lotus Notes

Public interaction

Education

Undergraduate coursework (2 years)

Texas Driver's License

Animal Control Certification

Tools

Lotus Notes

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:

Under general supervision, routinely provides daily administrative and operational shelter functions, staff support functions, and customer service duties to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of daily operations in all areas of Animal Services. Completes daily work schedules as assigned by Supervisor. Works some evenings, weekends, and on-call as required. Performs other related work as required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

SHELTER OPERATIONS:

• Performs impounds, creates new database records, and maintains updated record information.
• Performs adoptions, meets and greets; conducts intakes and surrenders efficiently and accurately; creates bite reports timely and accurately; effectively performs redemptions, microchipping, and other related duties.
• Cleans and prepares animal cages and kennels for use. Assists public with removing animals from shelter kennels and cages as needed.
• Keeps assigned work areas neat and safe.
• Deals with the public on a daily basis.
• Communicates courteously and effectively with team members, other City employees, officials, and the public.
• Supports Foster/Clinic Coordinator with foster intakes/returns, paperwork, medications, updating impounds, boosters, deworming and other related duties as assigned by supervisor or manager.
• Works some evenings, weekends, and on-call as required.

FIELD OPERATIONS:

• Responds to questions and answers phone calls timely.
• Performs dispatches and enters database information accurately and timely.
• When assigned to dispatch, serves as backup support for offsite field operational responses.
• Routinely patrols city streets to pick up stray and dead animals in accordance with assigned schedule.
• Impounds all animals picked up in the field. Runs calls for any dispatches by priority efficiently.
• Organizes, cleans, sanitizes, stocks, fuels, maintains work trucks and other vehicles. Informs supervisors/manager of repairs or issues.
• Issues citations for violations of Animal Control Laws. Stays current on state and local ordinances and notifies supervisor/manager of updates/changes.
• Sets up and monitors humane animal traps. Removes and releases animals as appropriate.
• Educates the public about animal service ordinances and state laws.
• Uses mobile data terminals to transmit information from the field.
• Must be available for emergency calls after normal operating hours.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES:

• Completes assigned daily work schedule efficiently and ensures work assignments are completed in accordance with set standards.
• As assigned, appears in Municipal Court to testify regarding violations of animal control laws.
• Follows up and investigates complaints, dispatches, adoption contracts, microchips, bite reports as assigned.
• Uses computer and related software for e-mail and to input/retrieve data in the shelter’s animal inventory database and City Response Center.
• Assists volunteers and community service workers as needed.

MEDICAL DIVISION:

• Assists with vaccinating incoming animals.
• Performs basic intake exams including vaccinating, deworming, weighing, sexing, scanning for microchips, etc. as assigned.
• Enters accurate microchip information into database.
• Administers appropriate foods, medications, vaccinations, and other related duties.
• As needed, operates animal crematorium safely within guidelines; cleans and maintains unit to set standards.
• Uses injectable euthanasia products as required and in accordance with set guidelines.

SUPPORT SERVICES:

• Cleans and maintains Animal Shelter daily.
• Assists kennel attendant with spot cleaning, kennel/cage preparation throughout the day as assigned.
• Provides timely reports and checklists to supervisors/manager.

OTHER DUTIES:

• Provides operational backup support as directed by Supervisor or Manager.
• Socializes with animals as directed by Supervisor or Manager.
• Supports shelter outreach programs as directed by Supervisor or Manager.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

Incumbent may exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects. Stand, bend, lift, and/or pursue stray animals. Positions in this class typically require fingering, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, walking and repetitive motions. Plus, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching, climbing and balancing. pushing, pulling and lifting. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting and intense noises. Incumbents may also be subjected to gases and workspace restrictions, vibrations, chemicals and oils.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, DEGREES, CERTIFICATES, AND/OR LICENSES:

Two (2) years (or 60 hours) of undergraduate college course work required from accredited college or university. Additional, relevant experience may be considered in lieu of education requirements. Texas Driver's License, Class C, required. Texas Department of State Health Services basic Animal Control Certification required, or must obtain within 12 months of attaining position. Must complete 30 hoursof continuing education every three years. Must obtain euthanasia certification within 120 days of employment in position.

EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS:

One (1) year experience preferred in a field related to animal control or veterinarian medicine. Vehicle driving record must be satisfactory according to City of Richardson Departmental Rules and Regulations. Must be computer literate and able to use computer in performance of essential functions. Knowledge of Lotus Notes preferred. Must be able to deal with the public and fellow employees in a tactful, considerate manner. Must be concerned and interested in providing humane treatment for animals. Must be able to understand the health necessity of destroying animals and perform this function when necessary.