Animal Care Specialist

Salary: $15.15 Hourly
Location : Georgetown: 1855 S/E Inner Loop, TX
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 14.02470
Department: Animal Services
Opening Date: 10/17/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
JOB SUMMARY
Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, responsible for providing care to animals within the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, by providing a positive quality of life to the animals, customer service to potential adopters, and always maintaining a clean and safe shelter. Level I of II in Animal Care Specialist.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

• Conducts daily cleaning and disinfection of kennel area, and other shelter areas, to include laundry, washing animal dishware, and other custodial tasks
• Supplies food, water, toys, clean bedding, socialization time, and routine enrichment care
• Offers assistance to potential adopters with the animals, answering questions, transporting animals to and from kennel areas, and assessing likelihood of matches for adoptions
• Performs customer service duties related to the intake and processing of animals for impoundment, adoption and redemption
• Administers routine well-being checks of all animals, documenting any concerns and communicating to Operations Manager for follow-up
• Assists medical staff with medical workups and vaccinations of animals
• Socializes fractious animals to help them become adoptable, and assist with behavior modification plans as written by the Animal Behavior Coordinator
• Restocks cleaning and Animal Care supplies throughout the facility as needed
• Utilizes shelter software to record and communicate information about animals, including up-to-date medical and behavior histories
• Helps identify animals that are candidates for outside rescue organizations or foster care
• Transports animals to other facilities, as needed
• Provides supervision and training to volunteer staff and community service workers, by overseeing daily work tasks, offering guidance as needed
• Follows all safety measures and policies, including proper animal restraints and reading animal behavioral cues, and promptly reports any safety incidents to leadership
• Performs special duties as assigned

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports directly to - Operations Manager
• Direct Reports - No

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Position involves prolonged standing, walking, twisting, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and other fine motor repetitive motions
• Position requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine motor coordination
• Position involves lifting and carrying of animals and equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds, or up to one hundred (100) pounds with assistance, and exertion of up to twenty-five (25) pounds of force to move objects
• Ability to hear and/or see alert cues regarding animal and staff security

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Work tasks are conducted indoors and outdoors
• May work outside in inclement weather, including extreme heat, cold and wet conditions
• Frequent handling of animals, including contact with waste and blood
• Exposure to unpleasant smells and a noisy and wet environment associated with a shelter
• Frequent exposure animals that are agitated or injured that may attempt to bite or scratch

IRREGULAR HOURS

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays is a schedule requirement
• May be deemed essential personnel for emergency situations, at discretion of Director

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma/degree and six (6) months of experience working with animals in an animal hospital, shelter, or related animal facility; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated customer service and communication skills

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required within thirty (30) days of employment

• Valid driver's license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two (2) years of experience working with animals in an animal hospital, shelter, or related animal facility
• One (1) year of animal welfare experience
• Knowledge of dog and cat body language cues
• Euthanasia certification
• Basic Animal Control certification

EMPLOYMENT TESTING
Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:

• Criminal background check: Yes
• Motor Vehicle Record check: Yes
• Drug screening: Yes
• Physical exam: No
• Psychological exam: No
• Additional: N/A

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
A Williamson County online application (resumes alone are not sufficient) must be received before the position is closed. Positions are open until filled, subject to close at any time after five (5) business days. The Human Resources Department is located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626. Phone (512) 943-1533 or visit our website at
Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.
TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE POLICY
Williamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco and non-tobacco products such as vapor, e-cigarettes and the use of chewing tobacco or like products is prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.
Williamson County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible full-time employees, retirees, and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical and dental coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life; short- term disability and long-term disability insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements.
The County also provides retirement benefits. Full-time & part-time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these basic employee benefits and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 12 paid holidays. For more details please contact Williamson County Human Resources at 512-943-1533.
01
Do you have a high school diploma, or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

02
How many years of directly related experience/training do you have working with animals, in an animal hospital, shelter or related animal facility?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1, less than 2 years
• More than 2, less than 3 years
• More than 3, less than 4 years
• More than 4, less than 5 years
• More than 5 years experience

03
How many months of customer service experience do you have?

• None
• Less than 6 months
• More than 6, less than 12 months
• More than 12, less than 24 months
• More than 24, less than 36 months
• More than 36 months

04
How many months of verifiable experience/training do you have in the general health care of animals to include feeding, caring for, and cleaning?

• None
• Less than 12 Months
• More than 12, less than 24 Months
• More than 24, less than 36 Months
• More than 36, less than 48 Months
• More than 48, less than 60 Months
• More than 60 Months experience/training

05
Do you possess knowledge of sanitation, cleaning techniques and skills in the use of equipment used to maintain an animal shelter facility?

• Yes
• No

06
Do you possess or have the ability to obtain a valid driver's license upon offer of employment?

• Yes
• No

07
Are you willing and able to work any shift assigned, any day of the week, including holidays and weekends? This is a requirement of the job.

• Yes
• No

08
Which schedule are you available to work? Please check all that apply.

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Temporary/Seasonal

09
I fully understand that this position requires constant exposure to, and interaction with, animals and animal waste. I am comfortable with this requirement.

• Yes
• No

10
Due to the nature of this position, the successful applicant must be able to pass a criminal history background check and drug screen (provided by County). I am able to meet this requirement.

• Yes
• No

11
This position requires a driving records check as part of the selection process. In order to be considered for this position, your driving record may not include any of the following conditions during the last 36-months. Any driving convictions involving:• Driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance;• Refusing to submit to a test to determine alcohol or controlled substance concentration• Leaving scene of crash• Vehicular manslaughter/homicide• Using vehicle to commit a felony; • Losing your license or driving while license is suspended;• Two or more reckless driving violations, negligent crash or violation with a pedestrian; • Three or more violations while operating a motor vehicle

• I attest that my driving record does not meet or exceed the number of violations and/or offenses listed above, and I am eligible to be considered for this position. I am able to provide a copy of my driving record at the time of interview.
• I AM NOT ELIGIBLE to be considered for this position. My driving record meets or exceeds the number of violations and/or offenses listed above.

12
Please provide a brief statement introducing yourself and illustrating why you should be considered as the most qualified individual for this position.
Required Question