Animal Caretaker (animal Care Specialist I)

Job Announcement

The Animal Caretaker (Animal Care Specialist I) is responsible for the caring, feeding and handling of animals. Duties include:

• Assists in the medical treatment of sick and injured animals.
• Cleans and maintains kennels, cages, animal holding areas, and other Shelter areas.
• Walks or exercises dogs if volunteers are not available and ensures that all adoptable dogs and manageable strays receive a minimum of four walks daily.
• Performs kennel inspections throughout the day to ensure that kennels are clean and odor free.
• Ensures that kennels are locked and that animals have ample water throughout the day.
• Ensures that blankets are washed and dried, and that animals are provided with clean blankets daily or more often if needed.
• Transports animals between the shelter and a vet clinic.
• Assists with euthanizing animals in a humane manner as determined by the state veterinarian.
• Assists with the operation of the crematory.
• Receives animals and performs intake functions including data entry into a shelter software. management system, vaccinations, photographing, and identification checks on stray animals.
• Assists citizens who want to visit with a pet they are considering for adoption.
• Performs other related tasks as needed.

Schedule: Hours of work may vary depending on staffing levels and Shelter needs as caretakers are considered essential personnel. Additionally, appointee will be required to work weekend days, holidays and/or evening shifts.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Cleans, disinfects and maintains animal holding cages and surrounding area;
• Maintains shelter and grounds;
• Receives and cages animals;
• Assists in medical treatment of sick or injured animals;
• Assists in the euthanasia of animals;
• Assists in the disposal of dead animals;
• Drives and maintains vehicles assigned to the Animal Shelter;
• Feeds and waters animals;
• Observes behavior or animals under care and reports unusual behavior;
• Assists in the training and supervision of volunteers and/or community service workers;
• Occasionally interacts with public to inform and allay concerns about detained animals and/or provide information on the policies and procedures of the Animal Shelter.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Demonstrated interest in animals;

• Ability to follow written and oral instructions;
• Ability to handle animals in a humane manner and without personal injury;
• Ability to move heavy, immobilized or resistant animals;
• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds;
• Ability to maintain a high level of ethical standards;
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of integrity and to be truthful at all times.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to high school graduation or a GED issued by a state department of education.

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• General interest in working in an animal shelter environment.
• Veterinary assistant, veterinary technician, or kennel experience.
• Experience working with animals in a shelter environment or vet clinic.
• Knowledge of animal behavior and animal breeds.
• Computer literate.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Euthanasia Certification (Required within 6 months)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or religious reasons will still be subject to the weekly testing requirement. Otherwise, vaccinated employees will complete the attestation online in the first day of employment.

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, and driver's license check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to bend, stand, stoop, crawl, walk, sit, talk, see and hear. Must have the ability to move heavy, immobilized or resistant animals. Must have the ability to lift, carry and move up to 50 pounds. Pre-exposure rabies vaccination required within 3 months of hire. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; may include exercise.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.