Animal Care Worker, Austin Animal Services (Animal Care Division)

City of Austin•Austin, TX

1d•$22 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Animal Care Worker performs humane animal care duties at Austin Animal Shelter to ensure animal safety and well-being and provides quality customer service by assisting the public and providing accurate information about Animal Services policies, programs, and procedures. Animals cared for include dogs, cats, reptiles, livestock, and others. The role includes basic feeding and cleaning and supports shelter pets as they recover and find homes. The position reports to the Animal Services Supervisor and receives day-to-day guidance and mentoring from leads on duty. It works in summer heat and winter cold, and requires being on one’s feet for upwards of nine hours a day. The role is designated essential; employees may need to report during emergencies or when City offices are closed, modify schedules, or assist at a City-designated worksite. The full-time schedule is Wednesday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., four 10-hour shifts including a weekend day. A temporary schedule is also described as Saturday and Sunday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The annual hiring range is $22.15–$24.37. The worksite is Austin Animal Center, 7201 Levander Loop, Building A, Austin, Texas 78702.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent.
Six months of work experience.
Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and principles.
Knowledge of animal services and related programs.
Skill in safely handling animals, including animals with unknown temperaments.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changing priorities.
Ability to adhere to disease management and safety protocols.
Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience working in a fast-paced, high-stress environment with competing priorities.
Demonstrated experience providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers and de-escalating conflicts.
Demonstrated attention to detail in cleaning, disinfecting, and reporting changes in dogs’ behavior or medical concerns.
Demonstrated experience in an animal-related field, including animal husbandry, health, and basic care.
Demonstrated experience with dogs weighing 50 pounds or more that have behavioral issues.

Responsibilities

Clean, disinfect, and maintain assigned shelter areas.
Feed, water, bathe, dip, and exercise animals; provide humane sheltering in compliance with State minimum standards and shelter policies.
Safely and humanely handle animals of unknown health and temperament.
Assist in monitoring animals’ medical and behavioral status and perform related healthcare activities.
Contribute to programs and services supporting the shelter’s live outcome goal.
Load dead animals onto trucks.
Ensure the safety of animals and people in the shelter.
Accurately maintain required records in the shelter database.
Provide information to the public.
Assist with unloading trucks, stocking shelter areas, and storing materials.
Assist with preparation, transport, and documentation of specimens for rabies testing.
Maintain the facility and grounds in a clean, neat, and organized manner.