Animal Care Assistant

Position Description

Responsible for the daily care of animals; provides appropriate food and water; grooms, bathes, and exercises animals; monitors the behavior and health of animals; reports health, behavior or temperament issues to supervisor; and performs general housekeeping of shelter.

Animal Care & Control
5125 Harding Pl
Nashville, TN 37211

• Perform animal care and related duties, such as feeding, cleaning, exercising, and monitoring the behavior and health of animals in shelter custody.
• Responsible for the daily care of animals, including providing appropriate food and water, as well as basic grooming and bathing; cleans animal cages, runs and performs general housekeeping of shelter.
• Assists shelter patrons, animal control officers and outreach staff with animal handling, to include transferring and relocating animals from vehicles, cages and housing units.
• Monitor animals and immediately report health, behavior or temperament issues to supervisor.
• Assist with animal intake, evaluation and medical treatments as directed, including disease prevention and reduction efforts.
• Maintain animal care reports and documentation.
• Maintain daily log sheets and inventories, complete intake and care reports, and prepare related reports or record keeping as required.
• Respond to patron inquiries related to animal health education and related programs; provide humane education pamphlets or materials.
• Must have and be able to demonstrate knowledge of: basic animal welfare standards, including safe animal handling procedures for domestic and wild animals; proper use, secure storage, and disposal of lethal chemicals, syringes and related equipment.
• Promote a caring attitude toward all animals and treat animals humanely and with compassion at all times, regardless of circumstances, including those that are sick, injured, feral, or aggressive.

• High school diploma or its equivalent.

Must be a Certified Animal Euthanasia Technician (CAET), or obtain that certification within six months of hire.
Must receive pre‑exposure rabies vaccinations.

• Medium to heavy work that involves walking, standing, bending, stooping, lifting, and exerting up to 50 pounds of force on a regular and reoccurring basis, including restraint of animals of varying size, age, and physical condition.
• Must use protective clothing or gear.
• May risk exposure to toxic and caustic chemicals, and animals/wildlife, including exposure to animal bites, scratches, and diseases such as Rabies, Ringworm, Lyme disease and Zoonosis.

• Associate's degree or higher.

Full‑time, Civil Service positions: 10 Vacation Days per year (increasing after 5 years of service); 1 Sick Day per month; 12 Paid Holidays per year.

Public Safety - Sworn and Civilian positions: 20 vacation days per year; 3 Personal days per year; 1 Sick Day per month; 12 Paid Holidays per year.

Part‑time, Non Civil Service positions – visit HR and Benefits webpages for more information.

Full‑time, Non Civil Service positions – contact hiring department for benefits information.

Seasonal/Temporary positions – no benefits offered.

If you have any questions about this position please contact MPHD HR at .