Animal Shelter Attendant

Story County; Nevada (IA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Story County is seeking an Animal Care Aide to provide daily care for animals in the shelter, including feeding, cleaning, and monitoring health. You will assist with adoptions and protect animal welfare through careful observation and humane handling.

The role requires basic education and some experience in animal care, with strong computer record-keeping skills and a commitment to safety and compassionate service.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of animal behavior and health
• Basic animal husbandry practices and care
• Proficiency with computer systems and software for records
• Ability to communicate clearly with clients and staff
• Ability to monitor and report animal health and behavior
• Attention to safety and humane handling of animals

Responsibilities

• Cleans, sanitizes, and disinfects animal enclosures and medical rooms.
• Feeds, waters, exercises, and socializes a variety of animals and grooms as needed.
• Assists clients during adoptions by providing animal history and health concerns.
• Identifies and isolates dangerous or injured animals.
• Observes for illness, injury, stress, or behavior issues and reports to supervisor.
• Administers medications and vaccines as prescribed.
• Maintains and inputs data into the shelter database and prepares reports.
• Keeps records and logs of animals and handling activities.
• Participates in off-site adoption events and foster care coordination.

Skills

Animal behavior

Animal health

Basic animal husbandry

Computer skills

Humane care of animals

Problem solving

Customer service

Oral and written communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Apprenticeship/Internship or 1-2 years similar position

Tools

Database software

Job description

Summary Description

This position is responsible for providing care to animals in the animal shelter and performs related animal care duties, including performing animal intake and evaluation, administering medications to animals, providing care and feeding to animals, cleaning shelter cages and other facilities, etc.

Summary Description

This position is responsible for providing care to animals in the animal shelter and performs related animal care duties, including performing animal intake and evaluation, administering medications to animals, providing care and feeding to animals, cleaning shelter cages and other facilities, etc.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Cleans, sanitizes, and disinfects animal enclosures, medical examination rooms, and other animal holding areas and rooms.
• Feeds, waters, exercises, and socializes a variety of animals, including domestic animals and livestock; bathes and grooms animals as needed.
• Assists clients during adoptions by recommending animals, providing animal history regarding any applicable health or behavior concerns.
• Identifies and isolates dangerous or injured animals.
• Observes animals for signs of illness, injuries, stress, or poor behavior and reports to supervisor; monitors the care of animals following surgery.
• Administers prescribed medications and immunizations, including vaccinating, deworming, and providing flea treatment.
• Assists with humane euthanasia as needed.
• Inputs a variety of information to software database; prepares case reports, intake reports, medical reports, vaccination reports, etc.
• Maintains records and logs of animals.
• Receives emergency and non-emergency requests for animal control services; explains departmental policies and county ordinances.
• Scans animals for microchips.
• Participates in off-site adoption events and fundraisers.
• Assists in coordinating foster care for shelter animals.
• Responds to emergency response to disasters or other events.
• Responds to on-call and after-hours emergencies as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Required By The Position

• Knowledge of animal behavior.
• Knowledge of animal health.
• Knowledge of basic animal husbandry.
• Skill in the use of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in the humane care of animals.
• Skill in the analysis of problems and the development and implementation of solutions.
• Skill in the provision of customer services.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

Qualifications

• Ability to read, write and perform mathematical calculations at a level commonly associated with the completion of high school or equivalent.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.

E-VERIFY PROCESS:

Story County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with Story County must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity. Please be prepared to provide required documents on the first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-382-7200 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov .

Physical & Environmental Characteristics

• The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee frequently lifts light (24 pounds or less) and heavy (25 pounds or more) objects and utilizes the sense of smell.
• The work is typically performed in an animal shelter or outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather. The employee may be exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, contagious of infectious diseases, irritating chemicals, and potentially dangerous animals. Work requires the use of specialized animal containment equipment and protective devices such as masks, goggles, gloves, etc.