Animal Care Specialist DOQ

Work Locations

Palmetto Adoption Center, 305 25th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221 (Primary Location)

Manatee County Cat Town, 216 6th Avenue East, Bradenton, Florida 34205 (Secondary Location)

Bishop Animal Shelter, 5718 21st Avenue West, Bradenton, Florida 34209 (Future Location)

40 hours per week (four 10-hour days) including Saturday and Sunday based on needs of the shelter

$18.40 - $23.00

Plays a direct role in achieving Manatee County’s no-kill mission and goal by providing hands‑on care for animals in the shelter, working with internal departments to find those animals homes wherever possible, and serving as ambassadors for county residents, volunteers, and adopters who visit the shelter. Contributes to the health, wellbeing, and general care of dogs and cats. Plays a unique role as the direct day‑day connector between the animals in our care and our residents.

Note:
Position level and salary will be dependent on qualifications (DOQ).

Primarily animal shelter or outdoor field environment. Regularly performs moderately strenuous work in varying and adverse weather conditions, including rain, extreme heat and humidity, and long exposure to sunlight. Daily exposure to dogs, cats, and other animals of all sizes, temperaments, and medical status. High noise environment while performing certain responsibilities. Lifting and carrying equipment up to 50 pounds alone and up to 100 pounds with assistance.

Periodically required to drive county vehicles as part of the duties of the job. Able to climb and descend equipment and ladders. Able to bend, stoop, crawl, and reach. Position requires visual acuity and depth perception, as well as ability to hear and identify sounds. Periodic high stress situations that may involve angry or frustrated citizens. Regularly required to work other than normal business hours including nights, holidays, and weekends.

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

• Assists with all aspects of the adoption process. Provide excellent customer service to visitors, volunteers, and adopters.
• Positively interacts with volunteers and promotes a team environment.
• Greets visitors to the shelter, answers questions, and assists visitors with their needs.
• Delivers excellent, non‑judgmental customer service to all visitors, adopters, fosters, and transfer partners in a friendly, informative and professional manner.
• Provides basic and routine care for animals per department guidelines, including feeding, watering, and light grooming.
• Supports animals with medical issues, which may include zoonotic disease, by medicating, treating, preparing special diets, observing and reporting, and assisting in the maintenance of required records.
• Provides socialization, enrichment, and exercise for animals as directed.
• Identifies behavioral issues and shares observations with team members and leaders. Follows behavior or training plans developed for specific animals.
• Cleans work areas and preserves physical appearance of buildings and grounds, including scooping, raking, sweeping, mopping, and trash removal. Notes maintenance or repairs needed and reports per protocol.
• Follows policies, procedures, and task lists for daily lifesaving outcome assignments, including accurate and timely communications, work completion, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Strictly adheres to established safety procedures to protect self, co‑workers, and the general public.
• Attends job‑specific training classes as assigned by supervisor.

• Assist Foster Coordinator with foster appointments, supplies, return surveys and inputting information to the database.
• Support Front Desk function processing adoptions, licenses, money handling and provide good customer service.
• Respond to customer service in box and provide information about services provided by the facility.
• Take lost & found reports and follow‑up when a match has been found.
• Works emergency situations (including weather and other extreme conditions) as required, including work in…