Animal Shelter Kennel Technician

Responsible for the overall care of animals within the animal shelter and to provide excellent customer service to citizens with their animal service needs. To provide care by feeding, watering, grooming and assisting with medical needs for all shelter animals. Constant and consistent cleaning and disinfecting of animal cages, runs, and all other shelter areas to ensure a safe and disease-free facility.

This is an hourly, non-exempt position and starting pay is $15.06 per hour (pay grade 15).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Maintains clean animal enclosures, runs, treatment and holding areas to ensure a safe and healthy disease-free facility;
• Performs daily housekeeping and maintenance tasks including, but not limited to; collecting and disposal of general and animal waste, sweeping/mopping floors, washing and drying towels, blankets, bowls and toys, wiping down and disinfecting all surfaces with a variety of chemical and detergent products;
• Precisely measures, prepares and distributes animal feedings based on weight and schedule;
• Provides water, walking breaks and facilitates exercise for shelter animals;
• Accurately prepares and administers basic medications as directed and while maintaining accurate and current records;
• Maintains animal cleanliness by bathing and grooming as needed;
• Observes and reports any unusual animal behavior, habits or signs of illness to supervisor;
• Reports timely information on facility maintenance issues to supervisor;
• Provides assistance to the public by answering inquiries over the phone or in person, conducting animal meet & greets for potential adoptions or viewing of found pets, processes adoptions, distributes and receives paperwork;
• Performs general office duties such as filing and accurately entering data into the animal shelter's software system to update and maintain animal records;
• Accepts payments for various fees and services, issuing correct change if needed;
• Puts away and maintains organization for incoming supplies and donations;
• Assists in preparing animals, exhibits, facilities and supplies for and participates in adoption events
• Transports, carries or restrains animals for medical treatments, adoptions, animal surrenders or examination purposes;
• Follows proper opening and closing procedures for the facility;
• Prepares deceased animals for transport and removal from city property;
• Assists with euthanasia process of animals when required.

To perform this job 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.

• Criminal Background


• Driver's License History


• Drug Screening


• Physical


• Respirator Medical Evaluation


• Skills Testing for Required Skills/Job Duties


• Employment Verification


• Reference Checks


• Public Safety Background Investigation


• Verification of Education

This is a non-supervisory position.

High school graduation or its equivalent; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Animal behavior; standard office practices and procedures; basic computer, data entry and telephone skills; facility maintenance practices and procedures.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions including procedures for care and maintenance of animals and assigned work duties. Work rotating shifts or rotate work tasks. Work weekends, evenings and holidays, during all climatic conditions. Exercise judgement concerning assigned work activities and to make sounds decisions when it is appropriate to consult appropriate senior staff. Establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with co-workers and the general public. Communicate effectively and tactfully. Apply safety standards to prevent hazards. Tolerate adverse working conditions.

Must be at least 18 years old. Must have a valid Texas driver's license and reliable transportation.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to engage in continuous moderate to strenuous physical activity, work with tools and equipment, drive vehicles, perform repetitive motions, perform work involving the entire body, stand, and walk and balance on all types of surfaces. The employee is required to bend from the waist, crouch or squat, kneel, sit, crawl, climb, twist, and reach with arms and hands continually. The employee is required to lift and/or move objects or animals weighing up to 100 pounds, and may be required to carry, push, and pull materials. The employee must be able to see clearly, with or without vision correction, in close situations, at a distance, and peripherally, and be able to adjust focus.

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.

The work environment requires that the employee exercise caution at all times and adhere to safety standards to avoid the risk of personal injury.

The employee is exposed to indoor and outdoor work in all weather conditions. Continual loud noises, vibrations, strong odors, animal waste, animal hair/fur, animal dander or other potential allergens. Possible exposure to aggressive and/or unhealthy animals. Working with strong cleaning agents on or off wet surfaces. The work environment is noisy and distracting.