Animal Caretaker

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County•Athens, GA

About The Position

The Animal Caretaker provides daily care for impounded, surrendered, and sheltered animals, supporting their physical health, behavioral well-being, and quality of life while they are in Animal Services’ care. The role includes processing animals at intake; feeding, cleaning, grooming, and enriching animals; monitoring their health and behavior; assisting veterinary and animal-health staff; maintaining the kennel facility; keeping accurate records; assisting the public; supervising community service workers and inmate labor; and performing other assigned duties. The position has rotating 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. start times, eight-hour shifts, and two consecutive days off that may vary. Weekend and holiday work, including religious holidays, as well as flexible or extended hours, may be required according to shelter needs. Regular and predictable attendance is required. The job is safety-sensitive and subject to random drug testing. It requires completing department training and continuing to learn about animal care, handling, and shelter health practices.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, or a combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Valid driver's license.
Criminal background must indicate eligibility for supervising inmates.
Obtain security training for supervising inmate workers, as specified by Georgia Department of Corrections Standard Operating Procedures, within six months of hire or at the first available opportunity.
Complete department-required training and continue learning about animal care, handling, and shelter health practices.
Work cooperatively with others and maintain regular, predictable attendance.
When operating a vehicle, be responsible for its safety, readiness, and operation and comply with ACC's safe driving policy.
Knowledge of basic animal husbandry, sanitation, and first-aid procedures.
Knowledge of animal behavior, body language, and common health indicators.
Ability to use a computer, shelter database, and record-keeping software.
Ability to handle animals safely and compassionately and identify common diseases and signs of illness, injury, or distress.
Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors, coworkers, volunteers, and the public.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, exercise judgment, prioritize assignments, manage time, maintain attention to detail, and apply departmental regulations and procedures.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including standing and walking for most of a shift, handling equipment, and exerting up to 50 pounds occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently.
Ability to work in noisy, wet, and varying-temperature conditions with exposure to animal waste, cleaning chemicals, and zoonotic disease.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in animal care, an animal shelter, a veterinary clinic, or a related field.
Certification in animal care, veterinary assistance, or pet first aid.

Responsibilities

Feed animals and provide fresh water according to posted guidelines and individual care instructions.
Clean and disinfect kennels, cages, and enclosures using approved sanitation procedures.
Bathe and groom animals as needed for health, comfort, and adoption readiness.
Exercise animals and provide enrichment activities to reduce kennel stress.
Assist with basic behavioral training and handle animals safely and humanely, including fearful, injured, or aggressive animals.
Process impounded and surrendered animals, including photographing, microchip scanning, identification tagging, completing forms and kennel cards, placing animals in kennels, and entering intake information into the shelter database.
Record animal health observations, behavior, feeding, and care routines in the shelter database.
Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, or behavioral change and promptly report concerns to the appropriate animal-health staff or supervisor.
Assist animal-health and veterinary staff with vaccinations, medications, treatments, and basic first aid when directed.
Assist with care for neonatal and special-needs animals as assigned.
Assist with humane euthanasia as needed and in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Maintain kennel sanitation and ensure inmates, community service workers, and volunteers use proper sanitizing procedures.
Monitor inventory and advise when food, sanitation supplies, or other kennel supplies need to be reordered.
Supervise inmate labor and assign work to Community Service Workers.
Assist customers in the kennel and provide the public with information about shelter animals, animal care, and adoption.
Cross-check lost-and-found reports, online postings, and other sources to help reunite lost animals with their owners.
Transport animals to and from veterinary clinics and other area animal-welfare agencies.
Perform other duties as assigned.