ANIMAL SHELTER TECHNICIAN I

Performs a variety of animal handling and maintenance services for the City of Commerce Animal Shelter, feeds and cares for animals at the shelter; is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the shelter facility, equipment and grounds; participates in clerical and other manual tasks associated with operating the animal shelter, pet licensing program, adoption program and performs related duties as required. Will be required to work weekends.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Responsible for maintaining a healthy environment and caring for impounded animals, including cleaning and disinfecting kennel runs and cages, feeding and watering animals, isolating and caring for sick animals.
2. Observes animals to detect illness or disease and exercises them as required.
3. Cleans and maintains shelter facility; sanitizes walls and floors; empties trashcans, overall maintenance of grounds around the facility.
4. Assists in selling dog and cat licenses to the public; matches impounded animals for owners filing a lost animal report.
5. Maintains accurate records of work performed.
6. Completes paperwork associated with the adoption of animals.
7. Retrieves animals from runs and returns them to their lawful owners.
8. Receives complaints and calls from the public.
9. Receives animals from the public.
10. Receives fees for various services including adoptions, licenses and impounds.
11. Assists with data entry and maintaining animal control records.
12. Responsible for providing weekly website updates to Assistant City Secretary.
13. May assist Animal Control Officer II in the field; may occasionally answer calls and investigate complaints of animals.
14. Must be able to perform euthanasia on animals.
15. Other tasks as required or assigned by Animal Control Officer II.
16. Serves as Animal Control Officer in absence of Animal Control Officer II.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES:

1. Patrols streets to locate stray animals and promptly captures animals and transports them to an animal shelter.
2. Responds to complaints concerning animal problems or violations of animal control ordinances, including but not limited to animals running at large, bites, property damage or injuries.
3. Removes dead, injured or dangerous animals from streets.
4. Investigates violations of animal control ordinances and issues warnings or citations as required; appears in court to testify regarding animal control cases.
5. Serves various criminal or civil notices or papers related to enforcement of animal control ordinances.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

(A) High school diploma or GED equivalent;

(B) An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

(A) Some knowledge of law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment; working knowledge of animal restraint and care techniques;

(B) Some skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below;

(C) ability to learn the applicable laws, ordinances, and department rules and regulations; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors and the public; ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to meet the special requirements listed below; ability to learn the City’s geography.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must meet minimum requirements for Animal Control Officer I, and must complete a basic Animal Control Officer course within the first 12 months of employment. Must also obtain certification as an Euthanasia Technician within the first (12) months of employment.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required; drug screen; final selection and pre-employment medical examination.  NOTE:  Appointees will be subject to completion of a standard probationary period.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Patrol vehicle, animal capture equipment, police radio, pager, first aid equipment, personal computer.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work involves sitting, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects and reaching with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and taste or smell.

Vision requirements required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must occasionally push, pull, lift and/or carry more than 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and is occasionally exposed to inclement weather conditions. Does handle animals so is subject to the threat of being bitten.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

The duties listed above 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. The City of Commerce is an “at will” employer.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.