Animal Shelter Technician
About The Position
Imagine if you were given an opportunity to connect with others who want to keep our community the most livable and safe it can possibly be. If you like to work with animals, enjoy working with the public, and enjoy a variety of daily tasks, you may be a great addition to our Animal Shelter team. Make a difference with the City of Hutchinson! The Animal Shelter Technician is responsible for performing duties in the receipt, care, custody, and disposition of animals, and the operation and maintenance of the animal shelter facility. Providing technical and routine animal care services, maintaining shelter facilities, assisting with animal records inventory, conducting behavioral assessments, and responding to citizen inquiries are primary functions of this position. The Animal Shelter Technician is expected to provide a high level of humane and compassionate animal care as well as exceptional customer service. The successful employee will be highly motivated, polite and outgoing with a professional demeanor to perform a variety of duties. This employee should possess excellent public relation, organizational, and communication skills.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or G.E.D. is required.
- One or more years of experience in humane animal care and treatment, animal shelter operations, and/or animal husbandry or similar/related experience is required.
- Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within six months of employment.
- Must be a Certified Euthanasia Technician or have the ability to obtain certification within one year of employment.
- This employee must possess a valid Kansas Driver's License.
Nice To Haves
- A technical degree or some college credit in Veterinary Medicine is helpful but not required.
Responsibilities
- Humanely cares for, inspects, feeds, waters, bathes, grooms, and monitors animals housed at the City shelter
- Restrains and places animals in shelter holding facilities
- Cleans and disinfects animal kennels, shelter facilities, and yards and sterilizes laboratory equipment and surgical instruments per shelter protocol
- Performs laundry duties
- Adheres to effective disease control practices including biohazard disposal
- Answers telephone calls and in-person requests for information regarding shelter operations
- Responds promptly and courteously to verbal and written inquiries from citizens, rescue groups, and others regarding the licensing, impounding, adopting, rescuing, reclaiming, and disposal of animals
- Educates the general public and rescue groups about City ordinances and regulations
- Represents Animal Services Division at public functions
- Prepares and conducts presentations
- Receives and performs animal intake functions including vaccinations, deworming, parasite treatment, drawing blood, taking pictures and accurately recording information into the animal shelter operating system
- Determines breed, sex and temperament to place animals in appropriate kennel area
- Records information according to instructions such as genealogy, diet, weight, medications, food intake, and license number
- Identifies sick, injured or diseased animals
- Administers first aid when necessary
- Recommends veterinary care if needed
- Observes animal appearance and activity for general physical conditions, stress, injury, and/or illness and reports any animal health concerns
- Conducts animal behavioral assessments and socializes animals that can be rehabilitated for adoption
- Follows established shelter protocols/procedures for daily observation, reporting of incidents, and the release of animals
- Directs and escorts visitors through the shelter
- Assists in the redemption of animals
- Assists the general public and rescue groups in viewing and selecting adoptable animals
- Provides general information on the proper care of and responsibilities for an adopted animal
- Counsels potential pet owners in selecting an animal of the appropriate size, breed and disposition
- Completes necessary paperwork for adopting and reclaiming animals
- Keeps confidential and accurate records of adoptions, redemptions, impoundments and euthanizations
- Prepares receipts, vouchers, and bank records
- Collects fees for impoundment, adoption, and vaccination shots
- Prepares clear, concise, and detailed reports and records relative to redemptions, adoptions, and euthanasia of animals
- Performs data entry for incoming and outgoing animals and day-to-day activities per standard procedures
- Administers oral and topical medications, injections, performs venipuncture, applies wound dressings, cleans teeth, and takes vital signs of animal
- Provides veterinarian medical assistance by preparing animal medications, surgery instruments, and equipment for procedures
- Assists veterinarian in surgery by administering medication, removing sutures, handling surgical tools, lifting/moving animals onto surgical prep table, and transporting animals out of the operating room
- Conducts pre and post-surgical observations of animal and reports condition changes
- Maintains complete and detailed surgical records
- Safely and humanely assists with, or euthanizes sick and injured, or unwanted animals of a variety of sizes and breeds, by means of lethal injection in accordance with regulations and standard veterinary procedures
- Restrains animals and performs actual euthanasia
- Assists in rabies specimen preparation prior to submittal for testing
Benefits
- background and drug screening
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
