Kennel Technician (Part-Time)

Frederick County Government; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

The Frederick County Division of Animal Control is seeking an Animal Care Aide for non-exempt, part-time work at the Animal Control Center. The schedule is 15 hours per week with a varying shift between 6:00 a.m.

and 5:00 p.m., and there are no benefits. Responsibilities include cleaning cages and areas, examining animals for illness, moving animals for pre-adoption, assisting with kennel inventory, and performing related duties.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or the equivalent.
• Knowledge of humane animal handling techniques.
• Ability to identify animal breeds and discuss breed characteristics with customers during adoptions.
• Strong spoken and written English communication; ability to complete clerical and record-keeping duties.
• Ability to handle sensitive situations with sound judgement.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with coworkers, volunteers, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and thoroughly clean cages, runs and other areas; remove waste and sanitize equipment.
• Examine animals for general condition and report illness or injuries.
• Move animals to/from cages; provide customers with breed information and placement suitability.
• Assist with inventory of kennel supplies and equipment.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills

Humane animal handling

Communication skills

Record-keeping

Distress tolerance

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma

Job description

The Frederick County Division of Animal Control is committed to serving the community through education and resources, humane law enforcement, and animal sheltering. We are proud of an impressive legacy of progressive thinking and community outreach that has reduced animal intake, reduced unwanted litters, and ultimately reduced animal euthanasia. Members of the Animal Control team, have a unique opportunity to not only make a difference for the homeless animals of Frederick County, but to engage in a rewarding career that demands hard work, integrity, high standards, and constant learning. Working with animals and serving the public--what better job could there be?

Non-exempt; part-time; 15 hours per week; varying schedule during 6:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; no benefits This position is responsible for the care and treatment of animals in custody or confinement at the Frederick County Animal Control Center, as well as other duties. Effective customer service/customer relations skills are required when assisting with the animal adoption process. Direction is received from the Animal Care Supervisor, under supervision from the Animal Control Director.

• Maintain and thoroughly clean cages, runs and other common areas at the Animal Control Center (e.g. removing animal waste; mopping and scrubbing; sanitizing feeding equipment; and disinfecting areas where animals are kept, fed, watered, and generally cared for, etc.)
• Examine animals for general condition and report any illness, visible injuries or abnormal behavior of the animals
• Move animals to/from cages/runs and "visiting" areas as part of the pre-adoption process; provide customers with information about breed characteristics of animals being considered for adoption, and suitability for placement in the customer's home
• Assist with the inventory of kennel supplies and equipment
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• High school graduation or the equivalent

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Knowledge of (or the ability to learn) the tools and techniques used in the humane handling of animals, and ability to use them without endangering personal safety
• Familiarity with animal species and breeds, with the ability to effectively identify them and discuss bred characteristics with customers who are considering animal adoptions
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to accurately complete clerical and record-keeping duties, and the ability to answer questions clearly and give information as described above
• Ability to handle sensitive and potentially distressing situations with sound judgement
• Ability to effectively complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, and the general public

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Prior kennel/veterinary work experience with cats and/or dogs
• Experience working with cats and/or dog, or other animals in a business or commercial setting (personal pet care will not be accepted)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in the position, the employee is required to constantly walk, sit, reach, and perform repetitive motions.
• While working in the position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors and in noisy environments.

• Ability and willingness to obtain rabies pre-exposure vaccinations (at County expense)
• Available for rotating shift assignments within Animal Control Division operating hours of 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• This position is designated as essential personnel, and is required to report to work during inclement weather or other emergency events.

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews including a working interview
3. A pre-employment physical examination
4. A pre-employment drug test excluding marijuana