Kennel Maintainer - Animal Control Division

Town of Greenwich, C; Greenwich (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Greenwich is seeking an Animal Control support role within the Police Department's Animal Control Division. The position focuses on daily care, feeding, cleaning, and humane handling of a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, wildlife, and others, with adoption support and community interactions.

Applicants must have a High School Diploma and three years of related animal-care experience, plus the ability to safely restrain and transport animals and to work with the public.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required and three (3) years of related animal care work experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of common animal species, breeds, behaviors, and body language (dogs/cats).
• Knowledge of diseases, parasites, zoonoses affecting domestic animals and wildlife.
• Ability to recognize illness, injury, fear, stress, aggression, or behavioral changes.
• Ability to safely handle, restrain, walk and transport animals with proper techniques/equipment.
• Ability to identify risks and prevent bites, scratches, escapes, or conflicts.
• Understanding sanitation and safe use of cleaning agents.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to perform basic math.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to interact tactfully with the public.

Responsibilities

• Provides daily care and humane treatment for impounded animals including dogs, cats, wildlife, birds, reptiles and others.
• Feeds impounded animals and maintains clean kennels and bedding.
• Cleans kennels and removes waste and trash throughout the day.
• Keeps facilities, vehicles and equipment sanitary per procedures and state requirements.
• Monitors animals for illness or behavioral changes and reports findings.
• Safely handles, restrains, walks and transports animals using proper equipment.
• Assists with animal adoptions and placement events.
• Supports field activities and transports animals/equipment as needed.
• Assists with handling and disposal of deceased animals.
• Transports animals to veterinary appointments and obtains kennel supplies.
• Answers calls, records messages and provides information to the public in absence of officers.
• Receives payments, issues receipts, and schedules adoption appointments per procedures.

Skills

Animal care knowledge

Dog & cat behavior

Disease awareness

Recognize illness signs

Safe handling & transport

Risk prevention

Sanitation & cleaning

Follow instructions

Basic math

Record keeping

Public interaction

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Experience and Education

High School Diploma, plus three (3) years' of related work experience caring for various animals in a kennel environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of common animal species, breeds, behaviors, and body language, particularly dogs and cats.


• Demonstrated knowledge of common animal diseases, parasites and zoonotic diseases affecting domestic animals and wildlife.


• Proven ability to recognize signs of illness, injury, fear, stress, anxiety, aggression and other behavioral changes in animals.


• Proven ability to safely handle, restrain, walk and transport animals using appropriate techniques and equipment.


• Proven ability to recognize potential risks and take appropriate measures to prevent and/or respond to animal bites, scratches, escapes and animal-to-animal conflicts.


• Demonstrated knowledge of sanitation and disinfection practices and the safe use of chemical cleaning agents.


• Proven ability to follow oral and written instructions.


• Proven ability to perform basic math.


• Proven ability to maintain accurate records.


• Proven ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.


• Demonstrated ability to perform the physical aspects of the position, including the ability to pick up and carry stretchers for animals with weight up to 150 lbs.


• Valid driver's license.

Exam Plan:

• 100% Written Exam


• Pass/Fail Performance Exam

Department: Police

Division: Animal Control

Bargaining Status: Teamsters

Salary Range: T-07

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Date Created: April 1992

Last Amended: Sept 2026

Reports to: Senior Animal Control Officer

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides daily care, safe and humane treatment for impounded animals, including dogs, domestic and feral cats, wildlife, birds, snakes, rodents, rabbits, and other animals.


• Feeds impounded animals.


• Cleans kennels, removing animal waste, soiled bedding and trash from the facility continuously throughout the day.


• Ensures Animal Control Division property, buildings, vehicles and equipment are kept in sanitary condition, in accordance with departmental procedures and applicable state requirements.


• Monitors animals for signs of illness, stress, anxiety, aggression or other behavioral changes and promptly reports to an Animal Control Officer.


• Safely handles, restrains, walks and transports animals, including fearful, aggressive, or feral animals, using appropriate equipment and procedures.


• Assists with animal adoption events, including dog meet-and-greets and other activities designed to facilitate appropriate placements.


• Assists Animal Control Officers with animal-related calls and other field activities, including removing animals from entrapments and transporting animals and equipment.


• Assists with the handling and disposal of deceased animals.


• Transports animals to veterinary appointments.


• Obtains kennel supplies as needed.


• Answers telephone calls, records messages, and provides information to the public in the absence of the Animal Control Officer.


• Receives payments, prepares receipts, processes the release of impounded animals, and schedules adoption appointments in accordance with departmental procedures.

Supports Town policies and philosophies.

Performs other duties as required.

All positions may be subject to an interview process. The Town reserves the right to limit the number of qualified candidates who will be invited to participate in the recruitment, or any part thereof.

All outside candidates will be required to undertake and successfully pass a pre-employment medical examination, which includes a substance abuse test that includes testing for THC (the psychoactive ingredientin marijuana), given at the Town's expense prior to employment if conditionally offered a part time, full time or safety sensitive position.

The Town of Greenwich has implemented a policy of background investigations all full and part time positions prior to hiring as part of the reference checking procedures for outside candidates. The investigation will only be conducted as the last step prior to an offer. Refusal to sign the release form will terminate the candidate's further consideration.