Animal Care and Control Officer Lead
About The Position
The Animal Care & Control Officer/Kennel Lead is a working lead who optimizes the health and welfare of animals in our animal care facility and in St. Louis County. This position serves as a bridge between the kennel staff, field staff and the supervisors, providing daily guidance and support to both Kennel Staff, Animal Control Officers, and Bite Desk to ensure the safety of the community and its animals. Weekend work is required. The typical starting salary is $18.52-$22.22 hourly depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience as well as budgetary considerations. Additionally, we offer a competitive benefits package and a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy. To learn more about these and other County benefits, please visit https://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/administration/work-for-us/benefits/ S t. Louis County Government is a qualified agency for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program managed by the Federal Government. For more information regarding this program, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service .
Requirements
- Three years of animal handling experience or an equivalent amount of combined education and training.
- Possession of a valid Driver's License.
Nice To Haves
- Leadership experience is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Oversee Kennel Staff & Animal Control Officers to ensure compliance with Saint Louis County Animal policies, ordinances and safety protocols.
- Train and mentor staff on best practices for animal care, field investigations, public education, and clinical veterinary assistance to ensure consistency across the team.
- Serve in the Kennel Supervisor and/or Animal Control Officer Supervisor’s absence and perform administrative tasks associated with program supervision, including Bite Desk support.
- Monitor and assist staff regarding the accuracy of animal care, feeding and medication administration, cleaning protocols, activity notes, rabies observation forms, and legal documentation.
- Perform and lead interactions with the public to improve animal health and welfare and evaluate officer education regarding responsible pet ownership.
- Adapt practices to ensure the most current approaches to animal health and welfare are implemented within the division.
- Perform standard Animal Control Officer duties as required or assigned, including patrol, investigations and enforcement.
- Provide direct animal care control services as needed.
- Lead and assist in clinical tasks, including medications, immunizations, and rabies specimen preparation, and bite reporting documentation.
- Review and ensure the accuracy of team activity notes, rabies forms, and legal reports.
- Care for animals in an animal shelter including providing food, water, exercise and human interaction according to defined guidelines.
- Observe for signs of atypical illness or behavior and report to supervisor.
- Clean and maintain shelter using power equipment such as steam cleaner or floor scrubber, and prepare and apply chemicals to clean animal housing, food containers and water containers.
- Assist with processing incoming animals from the general public and outgoing animals for adoption, foster care or rescue group placement.
- Interact with the public to promote animal adoption.
- Adapt practices to ensure the most current approaches to animal health and welfare are implemented.
Benefits
- Competitive benefits package
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
