Animal Shelter Technician, Lead

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Animal Shelter Supervisor, performs safe and humane animal care and cleaning of shelter facilities; monitors animal health and alerts appropriate staff; ensures a welcoming environment for visitors and provides excellent customer service for adoptions, intakes/reclaims, and/or other related matters; provides animal enrichment and documents behaviors; conducts routine clerical work; assists the veterinary services staff with routine procedures and performs other duties as required. Oversees and trains Shelter Technicians, community service workers, and volunteers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Animal Care (feeding, watering, cleaning, veterinary attention):

• Feed and water animals daily; notify appropriate staff of any concerns or observations.
• Clean, disinfect, and maintain animal kennels, cages, and related equipment; wash bowls, bedding, utensils, and laundry; ensure all areas are re-stocked daily with needed supplies.
• Provide animal enrichment; document animal behaviors and qualities for adoption biographies.
• Maintain animal inventory and records; assist with reconciliation of cash, check, and credit transactions; and perform other detailed clerical tasks.
• Assist veterinary staff with bathing, medication, treatment, medical procedures, preventative care and surgery preparation/recovery; administer vaccinations, performs basic diagnostic tests and procedures, monitors and reports animal health to veterinary services.
• Oversee, train, provide guidance and assistance to assigned personnel.

2. Customer Service and Collaboration:

• Provide a welcoming environment and assist visitors with animal interactions, adoptions, lost and found pets, intakes/reclaims and other animal matters; process adoption, reclaim and transfer paperwork.
• Work with volunteers and create a welcoming environment; provide staff assistance for volunteer training, programs, and initiatives; celebrate volunteer successes and assist the volunteer coordinator with volunteer performance feedback and coaching opportunities.

3. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.
DECISION MAKING

• Reviewing, approving, processing adoptions, receive and return animals from/to owners, ability to recognize animal behavior and health concerns and report accordingly, ability to understand/ accept shelter procedures, ability to determine animal characteristics, gender and breed identification.
• Oversee assigned personnel during daily cleaning and daily shelter operations; ensure accurate procedures are communicated and followed by team members, volunteers and CSRs.
• Reporting and communicating needs to peers, supervisors and management.
• Working with the public supporting adoptions, returns, intake; use of good judgment in difficult situations and those that fall outside normal procedures.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years work experience in animal care or a related field and in a team environment, including the supervision of others.
• A minimum of one (1) year of directly related customer service.
• Computer Skills - ability to learn shelter database, accurately update and maintain records. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

JOB DIMENSIONS

• Forms, vet records, computer data, adoption applications, reclaim/transfer documents. Record keeping, receipts. Money handling, move date calculation, maintain confidential information
• Interacts, communicates, and provides assistance to the public regarding a variety of animal control matters; must be able to maintain positive working relationships with outside agencies, community partners, volunteers, general public, coworkers and all other city employees.
• Excellent communication skills needed to handle frequent citizen contact. Must accurately articulate procedures, processes, and regulations to employees and patrons.
• Ability to handle irate or distressed patrons in a calming and productive manner.

• Frequently deals with the public; communicates in person and over the telephone; provides information; explains animals control ordinances; obtains information concerning bites; handles irate or distressed citizens in a calm and effective manner.
• Assists people in the community in a professional, positive, friendly and helpful manner regarding pets at large, lost pets, and complaints that promotes productive resolutions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally. Subject to standing, walking and vision constantly; sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling, fine dexterity, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, climbing, balancing, hearing and talking frequently; crawling often.
Working conditions involves exposure to aggressive animals, zoonotic diseases, loud noises, hazardous chemicals, odors, hot water, and extreme weather conditions. Possible rabies exposure (pre-exposure vaccines & booster offered at city's expense). Protective Equipment: Gloves (latex, leather, or cloth), rubber boots, ear plugs or muffs, eye protection, animal handling equipment.
Work Hours
Flexible hours - FT, 7 days/week, including weekends, holidays and emergencies
FLSA Status
Non-ExemptEmployment Type: Full-time Non-Exempt