Part Time Animal Shelter Clerk

Benzie County; Michigan; On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Benzie County Animal Control seeks a part-time Shelter Clerk/Cleaner to be the first point of contact for the public. You will answer phones, assist potential adopters, care for animals, and keep records up to date.

This role requires flexible scheduling, ability to lift up to 40 lbs, and adherence to privacy and safety policies. Training opportunities include CPR/First Aid; a valid driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience with animals preferred.
• CPR/First Aid certification encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Provides basic care for animals and serves as the initial public contact.
• Establishes cooperative relationships with county departments and community interests.
• Answers phones and assists front desk visitors; takes messages for the Animal Control Director.
• Sets up and maintains files for the Animal Control Department.
• Performs cleaning duties to maintain a healthy, sanitary shelter environment.
• Posts and shares adoptable or lost animals on social media.
• Accepts payments, issues receipts, and records documentation.
• Maintains a list of lost/found and adoption-seeking individuals.
• Uses discretion and maintains confidentiality in handling information.
• Performs tasks requiring independent judgment.
• Works a flexible schedule and attends trainings as necessary.
• Shows animals to the public for adoption and assists with adoptions and surrenders.
• Exerts judgment on accuracy, confidentiality, and sensitivity of information.

Skills

Animal handling

Front desk / customer service

Data entry

Communication skills

Record keeping

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Computer & software

Phone system

Office equipment

Job description

The Shelter Clerk/Cleaner works with all animals that enter the Benzie County Animal Control Shelter. The Shelter Clerk/Cleaner provides basic care for animals who have entered the shelter due to being stray or being surrendered. The purpose of this position is to be the initial point of contact for the public, answer the phones, work with possible adopters, cleaning and care for the animals. The Shelter Clerk/Cleaner works under the direction of the Animal Control Director and works as a part-time shelter staff. The Shelter Clerk/Cleaner may serve in an “on-call” capacity.

Job Responsibilities

1. Performs job duties adequately, properly, and in a timely manner; follows personnel and department policies and operating procedures; shows respect, tact, and courtesy in dealings with co-workers and the general public; behaves in a manner that does not obstruct or hinder other employees from completing their duties; acts in a manner that is safe and follows the County’s adopted policies and procedures at all times.

2. Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with other County Departments, County Offices, residents, and elected officials, community interests, peer agencies, and related interests.

3. Answers the phone and helps people at the front desk. Take messages and complaints and provide them to the Animal Control Director. Follow up as necessary.

4. Set up and maintain files for the Animal Control Department.

5. Perform cleaning duties during the week, weekends, and holidays to ensure a healthy and sanitary environment for animals being housed in the shelter.

6. Post, edit, and share adoptable or lost animals on the Animal Control’s social media platforms.

7. Accept payment, issue receipts, and enter documentation in the computer.

8. Maintain a list of all lost and found animals as well as those people seeking to adopt pets.

9. Must have the ability to use discretion in most situations. Must practice privacy in all situations.

10. Performs a variety of tasks requiring independent judgment.

11. Ability to work a flexible schedule and attend training and meetings as necessary.

12. Show animals to the public for possible adoption and assists the public with adoption and surrenders.

13. Exercises judgment with respect to accuracy, thoroughness, confidentiality, and sensitivity of the information being processed.

14. Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Thorough knowledge of controlling/handling individual animal temperament. Have the ability to gain animal confidence when restraining them for transport, grooming, and/or treatment.
• Knowledge of common diseases, their symptoms, and means of transmission.
• Knowledge of materials, methods, and practices used in cleaning operations.
• General working knowledge of the temperament of each animal in the shelter.

Skills and Abilities to:

• Skill in operating a variety of animal equipment and tools including control pole, lead rope, portable cage, and cleaning apparatus.
• Skill in effectively using office equipment and technology, including computers and related software, and the ability to master new technologies.
• Skill in listening, evaluating, and understanding the needs of customers when matching adoptable animals with the customer.
• Skill in effectively interacting with animals and humans to make reclamation and adoption of animals.
• Ability to maintain and organize records, compile data and prepare comprehensive reports on matters related to shelter operations.
• Ability to restrain animals for procedures performed by technicians or veterinarian.
• Ability to administer oral medications.
• Ability to perform data entry into the computer database and to query the database for information.
• Ability to learn occupational hazards and standard safety precautions in handling animals.
• Ability to communicate effectively and present ideas orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness when dealing with employees, elected officials, the media, professional contacts, and the public.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and maintain the confidentiality of information.

Education, Training, and Experience:

• Educational requirements include a High School diploma or GED is required.
• Experience with animals or in an animal husbandry field desired, but familiarity and handling of dogs/cats required.

Licensing and Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Driver’s License and personal vehicle insurance.
• Certified or willing to be certified in CPR and First Aid.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The employee must be free of any allergic reaction to animals. The employee must be able to wear any protective clothing and equipment that may be required. The employee must be able to pass a drug test. The employee must be able to pass a background check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The performance of job duties often requires lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 40 lbs. Frequently requires handling of materials up to 20 lbs. Additionally, handling dogs weighing up to 150 lbs. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle, or feel, and reach with hands and arms. Walking and/or standing for long periods. Frequently work in a bent position. May be required to use strength or agility in capturing and restraining stronger, more active animals; work with frequent interruptions, and interact with officials and the public. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

In the performance of job duties, the employee may use the following tools and/or equipment: multi-line phone system; computer and associated software; copy and fax machines; scanners; and other office-related tools and equipment, such as two-way radio. Use of Animal cages and restraints.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is normally performed inside; some outside work is required. Regular exposure to animals, and their fluids, bites, scratches, and animal wastes. Possible exposure to contagious diseases. Exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, weather, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, traffic hazards, bright/dim lights, toxic agents, animal/wildlife attacks, animal/human bites, explosives, disease, pathogenic substances, or rude/irate customer.