Kennel Assistant

Rockdale County, Georgia•Conyers, GA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kennel Assistant is responsible for humane animal care and superior customer service in accordance with RCAS mission, goals, and vision. Supports humane animal husbandry by providing physical and emotional enrichment to all animals, and through feeding, cleaning, and daily maintenance of the kennel facilities. Assists adoption center guests by providing information regarding humane animal care, division services, facilitating visitations with animals, and adoption counseling which includes exceptional human customer service, compassion for our human families, and facilitating great human-animal matches. The Kennel Assistant reports to the Animal Welfare Specialist for assignments.

Requirements

Knowledge of the policies, methods, procedures, and activities of the County and Animal Services Division practices.
Knowledge of the Rockdale County Animal Services Strategic Plan. Knowledge of the English language, spelling, and mathematics.
Knowledgeable and proficient with computers, Microsoft Office, and Excel programs, and different forms of social media.
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with supervisors, members of the general public, as well as employees of the various county offices in all types of contacts arising during daily work activities.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to utilize effective problem-solving/decision-making skills. Ability to adhere to safety procedures without exception.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and effective interpersonal skills.
Ability to work with both animals and people. Ability to work in a team environment.
Ability to multi-task and handle a high-stress, emotional environment. Ability to lift, pull, or push up to 50 lbs. with reasonable accommodations.
Ability to set aside personal judgment for the betterment of the citizens and the animals.
Ability to communicate with and work well with a diverse clientele, different races, ethnicities, faiths, sexual orientations, income levels, etc.
Skill in operating current, standard office equipment.
Skill in oral and written communications, to provide clear and concise reports and correspondence.
Skill in organizing workflow to process work within the assigned time frame, while handling multiple interruptions and adjustments to priorities throughout the day.
High school diploma, GED, or any equivalent
Valid Georgia Driver's License

Nice To Haves

One (1) year of experience in a similar capacity in an animal shelter, veterinary hospital, or clinic.
Six months of previous customer service experience in an office or retail business setting preferred.
Knowledge of animal diseases, medications, and treatment protocols preferred.
Experience in handling/reconciling funds preferred.
Bilingual in speaking Spanish.

Responsibilities

Provide animals with adequate food, water, exercise, and daily emotional enrichment. Grooms, bathes, vaccinates, and medicates animals as required.
Observes, records, and reports on animal health and behavior.
Handle animals in a humane manner according to established safety policies and procedures. Clean and sanitize animal habitats according to RCAS cleaning and disease control protocols. Maintain a clean and safe environment for the animals and the public.
Reports building and equipment maintenance concerns promptly. Stock food and supplies, laundry, and dishes.
Conducts repairs to animal shelter grounds and equipment.
Provide the highest quality of customer service to visitors and counsel potential adoptive pet owners.
Euthanize animals as needed under the direction of the Animal Welfare Specialist or Animal Services Division Manager.
Provide customers with organizationally approved content such as basic medical information, behavior profiles, breed information, and adoption package benefits to help adopters make good choices.
Complete adoption paperwork, generate receipts, receive payments, and maintain animal records in the animal management database.
Maintain office, front counter, and other rooms in the shelter in a clean and professional manner at all times.
Answer phone calls, data entry, and dispatch calls.
Maintain a positive working relationship with rescue groups, vet offices, and other animal organizations.
Assists with off-site adoption events, visits schools, HOA meetings, and other outreach functions.
Assist Animal Welfare Specialist to increase the number of adoptions by taking pictures and videos of pets for adoption.
Reviews adoption applications submitted by the public to determine if the applicant meets adoption guidelines. Approve or deny the application for adoption in a professional manner. Ask questions of the applicant, if necessary, to clarify information on the written adoption application.