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Animal Caretaker (animal Care Specialist I)

Employer
Fairfax County Government
Location
Fairfax, Virginia
Salary
$36,133.55 - $60,223.28 Annually
Closing date
Feb 5, 2022

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Industry
Healthcare
Function
Administrative
Hours
Full Time
Career Level
Experienced (Non-Manager)
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Job Details

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.

Company

Fairfax County, Virginia is a diverse and thriving urban county. As the most populous jurisdiction in both Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area, the County's population exceeds that of seven states. The median household income of Fairfax County is one of the highest in the nation and over half of its adult residents have four-year college degrees or more educational attainment. Fairfax County also is home to an extensive commercial office market and is a major employment center.

Fairfax County Government is a great place to work, with a variety of jobs in different fields, great benefits, and an enjoyable working environment. We serve nearly one million residents in one of the largest counties in the country. Our talented employees have established Fairfax County as a leader in nearly every facet of public service and have won national recognition as innovators in local government.The size of Fairfax County government and the diversity of services it provides to citizens allows opportunities for personal growth and development, without ever having to change employers. In addition to pay, Fairfax County Government provides an employee benefits package worth approximately 25% of your salary in additional compensation. This package of benefits consists of programs designed to protect you and your family during your employment with the county and into your retirement years.


BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Group Term Life Insurance
Contributory Retirement Plan
Deferred Compensation
Flexible Spending Account Programs
Long Term Disability Insurance
Long Term Care Plan
Tuition Assistance Program
Employees' Child Care Center
Virginia College Savings Plans

Fairfax County's Application Process: Fairfax County uses an online application process called NEOGOV at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/jobsfor nearly all positions.

Applicants who need assistance with the online application process are welcome to come to the Application Center at Fairfax County's HR Central where staff will be happy to work with you to establish an account and get your resume into the system. HR Central is located in the Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 270, Fairfax, VA, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or call 703-222-5872 for more information.

For more information on applying, please click here - https://www.governmentjobs.com/home/applicationguide.

Company info
Website
Location
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 270
 Fairfax
VA
22035-0034
US
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