Animal Shelter Kennel Assistant (Part-Time)

Livingston County; Howell (MI); On-site; USD 27,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

457 Deferred Compensation

Sick days

Personal time

Wellness reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Livingston County in Michigan is seeking a part-time Kennel Assistant to clean kennels, feed and water animals, and help with viewing and adoption activities.

Under the Animal Shelter Coordinator, you will socialize animals, monitor health, document changes, transport animals to offsite events, and assist in operations while supporting volunteers and the public.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment.
• Ability to solve problems and work under stress.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the well-being of animals and cleanliness of kennels and shelter.
• Feed and water animals daily and sanitize the shelter.
• Interact with animals to aid socialization and monitor health.
• Communicate medical changes to proper personnel and administer medicine as needed.
• Show animals for adoption and provide transportation to offsite events.
• Assist in disposal of animals that have been euthanized or tested for rabies.
• Assist front counter as needed and track supplies.
• Guide volunteers on shelter procedures and cleaning processes.
• Perform duties as directed by supervisor.
• Attend to duties scheduled outside normal business hours.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Michigan Vehicle Operator's License

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Livingston County was named a 2025 Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press! Based solely on employee feedback, the Top Workplace title is a badge of honor for the County. With over 700 employees serving within 18 departments, 6 elected offices, and 3 Courts, Livingston County's top priority is providing effective and efficient services that improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Animal Shelter Coordinator is responsible for the cleaning of animal kennels, feeding and watering of animals, moving animals or bringing them to the lobby for viewing, and handling and petting animals.

Pay Rate Information

The Kennel Assistant position is a part-time, non-union position and starting pay is $19.69/hour. This position is eligible for step pay increases within our Non-Union Grade 2 Wage Scale. Top end of the current wage scale for this position is $24.94/hour. Weekly schedule will be Sundays from 3:30 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. and Mondays from 2:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.

Benefits with this Position Include

• Optional Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan
• Paid sick days accrued at 1 hour per every 30 hours worked.
• 4 hours of paid personal time per year.
• Up to $300 annual Wellness reimbursement* & $100 incentive for completing your annual physical & Health Assessment.
• Employee Assistance Program

* Pro-rated based on the DOH

Essential Job Functions

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Maintains the well-being of the animals and the cleanliness of the kennels and shelter to ensure optimal health and the prevention of the spread of diseases.
2. Feeds and waters animals daily, along with cleaning and sanitizing the shelter, including during holidays and weekends.
3. Interacts with each animal to aid in socialization as well as monitoring and documenting their physical and mental health.
4. Communicates any medical changes to proper personnel and administers medicine as needed.
5. Shows animals that are available for adoption at the shelter and offsite adoption events. Provides transportation for animals to off-site adoption events.
6. Assists in the disposal of animals that have been euthanized or tested for rabies.
7. Provides assistance to the front counter as needed.
8. Tracks inventory of supplies and communicates to proper personnel when orders are needed.
9. Provides guidance to volunteers and community service personnel on the cleaning process and other procedures within the shelter.
10. Performs other duties as directed.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Minimum Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Requirements include the following:

• High school diploma or GED and some prior experience caring for animals in a shelter environment.
• The County, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education and work experience.
• Michigan Vehicle Operator's License.
• General knowledge of the principles and practices of shelter kennel care and cleanliness.
• Knowledge of sanitary procedures and practices, animal behavior, observing and caring for animals, and basic office procedures.
• Ability to communicate ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with County employees, contractors to the County, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, and the public.
• Ability to assess situations, solve problems, work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and in emergency situations.
• Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications and ability to learn software used by animal control.
• Ability to attend to duties scheduled at times other than normal business hours.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works both in an office and in the kennel area. While in the office, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view and produce written and electronic documents and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes.

While performing the kennel-related duties of the job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to sit, stand, walk, run and move freely at any time. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects of up to 40 pounds without assistance and restrain and/or control aggressive animals. The noise level in the work environment may be quiet to very loud. Though applicable safety procedures are documented and utilized, the incumbent may be exposed to unsanitary or unhygienic materials, individuals and situations in the course of performing required duties.