Animal Care Apprentice/Trainee

Job Summary

Animal Care Apprentice I: Under general supervision, is assigned to a City Department to develop a working knowledge of a targeted area in municipal government. Responsible for learning the skills necessary to perform jobs within their chosen career track. Work is performed independently in accordance with general instructions. Exercises no supervision.
This position is an "unclassified" position and has no disciplinary appeal rights to the Municipal Civil Service Commission. This position is likewise subject to at-will employment status and can be terminated at any time for any reason.
Animal Care Trainee: Under general direction, is responsible for developing a working knowledge of apprehending stray, diseased, or dangerous animals. Responsible for learning the skills necessary to perform property investigations to ensure compliance with animal control ordinances and laws, pet/property owner education of violations and issuances of warning notices or citations for violations. Exercises no supervision.
This advertisement will be used to fill the position at one of the following Animal Care levels:

• Apprentice I ($18.00 Hourly)
• Trainee ($21.15 Hourly)

Essential Job Functions

Animal Care Apprentice I

• Learns chosen career track by observing and assisting professionals in the assigned department where work will be performed.
• May propose solutions to existing problems and discuss recommendations with administrative personnel; assist Officers with writing reports and records data on appropriate log/forms.
• Assists with special projects as assigned; assists Officers with issuing citations for violations; ensures complete and accurate information is documented.
  
• Testifies in court.
• Assist with safely and humanely capturing and transporting animals including those that are sick, injured or potentially dangerous, including frequently lifting and carrying animals weighing up to 50 pounds and greater than 50 pounds with assistance to secure animals in crates/cages.
• Observes humane euthanasia when necessary.
• Operates a light-duty truck under supervision to assist officers with field investigations for reports of animal bites and dangerous or vicious animals.
• Assist with investigative reports of animal bites and dangerous or vicious animals; assist officers to accurately and thoroughly enter animal information into software management system for each call responded to.
• Assist Officers with counseling/education for citizens regarding responsible animal ownership/ordinance/law requirements (leash law, restraint, registration, animal behavior, etc.).
• Assist Officers with properly cleaning and maintaining assigned equipment and tools to assure proper working order.
• Assist Officers with performing field tranquilization on ill, injured, or dangerous domestic animals or wildlife.

• Safely and humanely captures and transports animals including those that are sick, injured, or potentially dangerous.
• Lifts and carries animals weighing up to 50 pounds to secure in cages or place on examination tables and assists with team lifts for animals weighing over 50 pounds.
• Immediately responds to calls for animal assistance from law enforcement agency staff standing by.
• Responds to observed or reported emergency situations and animal law violations.
• Operates a light-duty truck to perform field investigations for reports of animal bites and dangerous or vicious animals.
• Documents field notes from investigation of pet/property owner and maintains accurate, thorough Daily Activity Log. Submits Log daily to supervisor.
• Writes reports and records data on appropriate log/forms.
• Counsels/educates citizens regarding responsible animal ownership/ordinance/law requirements (leash law, restraint, registration, animal behavior, etc.); testifies in court.
• May assist in the creation and issuance of citations for violations; ensures complete and accurate information is documented.
• Accurately and thoroughly enters animal information into software management system for each call responded to.
• Properly cleans and maintains assigned equipment and tools to assure proper working order.
• May attend, assist, and present at scheduled events, educational seminars, and workshops as required.
• Performs related duties and fulfill responsibilities as required.

Job Requirements

Animal Care Apprentice I

• High school diploma or GED equivalent (recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency).
• Valid Class "C" Texas Driver's License.

• High School diploma or GED equivalent (recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency)
• Completion of the ACS Apprentice program
• Three (3) months of animal control or animal handling experience

• High School diploma or GED equivalent (recognized by the Texas Education Agency or a regional accrediting agency)
• Six (6) months of animal control, animal handling, or law enforcement experience

• Spanish Language Skills (reading, writing, speaking).
• Texas Department of State Health Services Basic Animal Control Officer Certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment and ability to maintain continuing education credits of 30 hours over each 3-year period.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer, learn associated software programs, and basic office equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City staff and the public.

• If selected for this position, official transcripts, diplomas, certifications and licenses must be submitted at the time of processing. Unofficial transcripts and copies of other relevant documents may be attached to the application for consideration in advance.
• Please be advised that if selected for this position, information regarding employment history as it relates to the qualifications of the position will be needed for employment verification. Applicants claiming military service to meet the experience requirement for this position may attach a DD214 to the application.
• Unless otherwise stated, applicants are permitted to substitute two years of related full-time experience for one year of higher education or one year of related higher education for two years of experience in order to meet the minimum requirements of the job. One year of full-time experience is defined as 30 or more hours worked per week for 12 months. One year of higher education is defined as 30 credit hours completed at an accredited college or university.
• Applicants selected for employment with the City of San Antonio in this position must receive satisfactory results from pre-employment drug testing and background checks. If required for the position, a physical, motor vehicle record evaluation, and additional background checks may be conducted.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Animal Care Apprentice

• Knowledge of good customer relations practices.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in observation and evaluation.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relations with the public and other employees.
• Ability to comprehend laws and regulations pertaining assigned career track.
• Ability to learn procedures related to assigned career track.
• Ability to clearly explain policies to the public and exercises tact and good judgement in dealings with the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to coach, train and provide technical assistance to others.
• Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position, with or without accommodations.
• Working conditions are inside and outside with frequent exposure to temperature variations, hazardous chemicals, noise, dirty environment, confining work space, and unfavorable odors.

• Knowledge of City and State animal control ordinances, regulations, and laws
• Knowledge of San Antonio streets, roads, etc.
• Knowledge of vehicle operation safety procedures
• Knowledge of safety procedures and methods used to humanely handle vicious animals
• Knowledge of methods, practices, and techniques of animal control
• Knowledge of procedures and policies for issuing City citations
• Skill in safely handling animals including those with unknown temperament
• Skill in the use of tools used to capture, restrain, and transport animals
• Skill in dealing with the public including irate citizens
• Skill in utilizing a personal computer, associated software programs, and basic office equipment
• Ability to humanely handle and control animals under all types of situations and circumstances
• Ability to adhere to disease management safety protocols
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City staff and the public
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• Ability to perform all the essential functions of the position, with or without accommodations
• Working conditions are in an indoor and outdoor environment with exposure to temperature variations, infectious diseases, and hostile animals

Benefits Information
The City of San Antonio (CoSA) strives to provide a competitive compensation and benefit package to attract and retain a highly skilled workforce. To accomplish this, CoSA offers subsidized health care benefits for active and retired employees, paid disability benefits, paid life insurance, as well as automatic participation in a pension program which is currently matched two to one.
For more detailed information, please click on the following link to view Benefits offered by the City of San Antonio:
http://www.sanantonio.gov/hr/employee_information/benefits/index.asp

• Part-Time, Temporary, and non-City positions are not eligible for CoSA Benefits.
• Holiday and Leave benefits for Pre-K 4 SA positions may be different than what is listed at the above link.

Additional Information
The City Of San Antonio is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. This means that the City does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex (gender), age, disability, national origin, genetic information, or sexual orientation. All individuals are encouraged to apply and compete for jobs with the City of San Antonio.

If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources Department so that accommodations may be made to meet your needs. Our telephone number is 210-207-8705 and our fax number is 210-207-2285.