SENIOR ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN

County of Culpeper, VA; Culpeper (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Culpeper, VA seeks a compassionate Shelter Worker to care for animals, manage adoptions, and support shelter operations. Responsibilities include feeding, medicating, vaccinations, and maintaining clean kennels, as well as coordinating on-site and off-site adoption events.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED and 3–5 years of shelter experience; a criminal history background check is required.

Qualifications

• Education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.
• Three to five years of experience working in an animal shelter, SPCA, or rescue is required.

Responsibilities

• Provide care for animals in the shelter: feed, bathe, provide water, medicate, vaccinate as needed.
• Coordinate and manage the animal adoption process, including events and postings.
• Test temperament and medical needs, schedule vet appointments, and handle routine medical tasks.
• Clean and disinfect shelters, cages, kennels, and related equipment.
• Answer public inquiries and assist with shelter operations paperwork.

Skills

Animal care

Vaccination administration

Animal handling

Customer service

Teamwork

Data entry

Education

High school diploma or GED

Shelter experience (3–5 years)

Job description

Performs intermediate semiskilled work handling emergency and critical care for sick, injured and recovering animals, managing and coordinating the animal adoption process, caring for animals at the shelter, cleaning and disinfecting shelter and related work as required. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Animal Shelter Operations Manager. Occasional oversight is exercised over Animal Care Technicians.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provides care for animals in the shelter; feeds, bathes, and provides fresh water; provides medications; vaccinates and deworms animals. Check the physical condition of animals and ensure cages are locked.
• Coordinates and manages the entire animal adoption process including, posting animals for adoption on social media, Pet Finder, etc., scheduling and running on-site and off-site adoption events, working with various rescues, SPCAs, shelters, etc. to find homes for animals;
• Tests for temperament and medical conditions; assesses needs and prescribes appropriate care; provides routine medical, pharmaceutical, and vaccinations, as needed; schedules veterinarian appointments, including spaying and neutering dates;
• Cleans and disinfects animal shelter, floors, cages, kennels, and related equipment
• Answers shelter phone lines; provides information to the public regarding shelter operations, animal control services, etc.
• Completes necessary shelter paperwork including treatment sheets
• Perform clerical and data entry
• Stocks shelter supplies, animal food, kitty litter, and cleaning supplies

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Records lost and found information
• Performs light housekeeping tasks
• Performs related duties as directed

Education and Experience

Education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma or GED. Three to five years of previous experience working in an animal shelter, SPCA, or rescue is required.

Special Qualifications

Must possess satisfactory results of a criminal history background check

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of practices, procedures, equipment, and techniques for caring for animals, administering medications, and maintaining shelter cages, equipment, and kennels
• Knowledge of department operations and of general principles of animal control and related regulations
• Ability to operate various animal care equipment
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions related to the position
• Ability to follow safety standards established by the department, etc.
• Ability to operate various office equipment such as fax, phone, etc.
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Ability to provide the highest level of customer service

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position classifies the physical exertion requirements as being moderately physically demanding. Must be able to lift, carry, and pull heavy objects and materials weighing up to 50 pounds. Requires constant lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, swatting, climbing, etc. Requires the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds, odors, colors, visual perception, and depths.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Essential functions are regularly performed in a controlled environment. At times tasks may risk exposure to disease, aggressive animals, and noise extremes, and odors.

Disclaimer

The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications as required of employees assigned to this job.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Culpeper County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

General Sign-off

The employee is expected to adhere to all County policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.