Animal Care Specialist​/Horse Husbandry

This is the third of five levels in the Animal Care series. Incumbent helps support the day to day operations of Animal Services. Responsibilities include functioning in a Team Lead capacity for Animal Care Technicians, working closely with the Animal Care Supervisor to make sure all paperwork, records and related reports are done accurately and efficiently. Incumbent provides training. Promotes the adoption of animals by taking animals to adoption events, data entry of animal information, and maintainng current content on the website.

Provides customer service and assists with professional handling of calls. Serves aa backup to Animal Care Technicians and performs the duties of the lower levels.(The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

Other duties may be assigned.)

• Serves as Team Lead for Animal Care Technicians.
• Trains Animal Care Technicians in proper care and handling of animals, proper cleaning techniques, and proper prcedures for the position.
• Promotes humane educational programs throughout the community.
• Assists Animal Care Technicians with the daily cleaning of kennels and animal dwellings.
• Provides care and maintains well-being of exotic and large animals and/or livestock.
• Assists in the euthanasia and disposal of animals as necessary.
• Maintains proper working equipment and cleanliness of the shelter.
• Shows rescue and shelter animals to interested parties and advocates for their adoption; answers questions regarding adoptability of animals and adoption processes; and assists in locating lost pets.
• Updates and monitors the adoption website; takes and posts pictures of pets; and removes adopted pets from the listing.
• Transports animals to adoption sites when necessary.
• Loads and transports exotic and large animals and/or livestock when necessary.
• Schedules animals for veterinary checks; logs related health information.
• Prepares and maintains information related to animal tests, euthanasia, records, and adoptions, and prepares operational reports and records.
• Helps maintain inventory by tracking and ordering inventory.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or lower level.

May serve as team lead to lower level staff. Responsibilities include training employees; and assigning and directing work as needed. Lead lower level staff to ensure they meet and exceed standards of performance.

(positions in this class typically require) High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.), and three years of experience working with animals; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

• Euthanasia Certification;
• Crematory Operation Certification;
• Valid Driver's License as per State law or requirement.

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Animal care and nutrition requirements;
• Adoption requirements;
• Common animal diseases;
• Animal handling techniques and applications;
• Animal behavior;
• Cleaning and sanitizing methods;
• Recordkeeping practices;
• Inventory;
• Ordering supplies;
• Customer service principles;
• Knowledge of current computer systems;
• Ability to supervise all Kennel Technicians in the absence of Management;
• Ability to withstand harsh comments from irate citizens;

• Caring for animals;
• Observing and documenting animal behavior;
• Identifying sick animals;
• Cleaning and sanitizing animal holding areas;
• Handling animals;
• Preparing and maintaining records and reports;
• Providing customer service;
• Using computers and related software applications;
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable…