531 - Animal Care Technician I

City of Brownsville•Brownsville, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this class is to perform the tasks of caring for impounded animals and maintaining the City Animal Shelter. This role involves a range of duties from inspecting kennel areas and reporting abnormalities to administering medications, cleaning facilities, and assisting with animal care procedures.

Requirements

High school or GED (no experience), or sufficient education to read and write plus two years of experience.
Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Must pass a Drug & Alcohol and a physical examination and a Background Check.
Ability to operate or use simple tools and equipment.
Ability to inspect kennel areas checking each animal individually for any abnormal activity.
Ability to handle or use catchpoles, syringes for injections, DEA regulated drugs, administering medications and use of machinery as needed.
Ability to clean and disinfect cages, kennels, cat litter boxes, food bowls, and outdoor yard.
Ability to operate washer and dryer to clean kennel bedding.
Ability to perform routine work of sheltering and caring for impounded animals.
Ability to complete all the necessary paperwork.
Ability to perform general cleaning of building and premises.
Ability to feed and water all animals daily.
Ability to inspect animals on a routine basis, give shots, baths, dips and care for animals to include daily walking.
Ability to assist in euthanasia of animals as necessary.
Ability to recognize obvious problems and refer anything unusual to supervisor.
Mostly moderate and fairly steady active physical exertion; may require brief periods of heavy muscular exertion, such as standing, lifting, moving, pulling, pushing, etc.
Requires medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, or lifting all of the time, exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis.
Exceptional skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of fingers, hands and limbs in tasks involving very close tolerances or limits of accuracy.
Responsible for use of equipment/property such as office equipment, supplies, etc., which are used in office.

Nice To Haves

Animal Care Training Certificate
Animal Euthanasia Technician Certification must be obtained within 12 months of the hire date.

Responsibilities

Inspects kennel areas checking each animal individually for any abnormal activity such as vomiting, diarrhea, or blood in the kennels. Reports all abnormal activity to supervisors, Vet and Technician, and makes appropriate notes so the animals may be examined.
Handles or uses catchpoles, syringes for injections, DEA regulated drugs, administers medications and uses machinery as needed.
Cleans and disinfects cages, kennels, cat litter boxes, food bowls, and outdoor yard as needed, including changing and washing soiled bedding.
Operates washer and dryer to clean kennel bedding.
Performs routine work of sheltering and caring for impounded animals, and completes all the necessary paperwork.
Responsible for the general cleaning of building and premises.
Feeds and waters all animals daily.
Inspects animals on a routine basis, gives shots, baths, dips and cares for animals to include daily walking.
Assists in euthanasia of animals as necessary.
Performs related tasks as assigned.

Benefits

Robust retirement plan through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) City to Employee Matching Ratio 2:1, with eligibility for retirement after 5 years of service at age 60 or 20 years of service at any age.
Medical, dental, and life insurance plans for employees and their families.
Vision coverage for employees enrolled in health insurance through MetLife.
Access to Frontier Clinic at no cost when covered by the City's health plan.
Pet insurance is available as a voluntary benefit.
Deferred compensation plans through Equitable.
Supplemental insurance options from AFLAC and Colonial Life.
10 sick days and 15 vacation days annually.
Parental leave concurrent with FMLA for eligible employees.
Longevity pay.
100% tuition assistance up to $5,000 annually.
14 holidays per year, plus two floating holidays.
Flexible scheduling options starting in fiscal year 2025.