Under direction of the Animal Control Manager, this position performs duties on a daily basis to maintain animal kennel areas and provides general care and feeding of animals. Performs other duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is an entry level class that reports to the Animal Control Manager. This position requires flexible hours, including nights and weekends.
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.
Feed, walk, exercise, interact, and bathe animals as needed in our care.
Administer medications as indicated by veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Assist with euthanasia as needed.
Provide assistance to the general public by answering inquiries over the phone or in person, directing phone calls, receiving paperwork, and entering information into a computer system (including calls, bite cases, animal impounds, animal adoptions, and animal reclaims).
Interpret and explain to the public ordinances relating to the care and upkeep of animals; the enforcement of animal control ordinances and state laws.
Maintain the shelter as a whole by performing tasks including, but not limited to, cleaning animal runs and cages, and outdoor areas, sweeping/mopping floors, wiping counters, taking out trash, cleaning bathrooms, checking equipment and supplies, and disinfecting all areas.
Supervise volunteers and community service workers as needed.
Work with rescue groups and animal-related organizations to find homes for animals in the shelter.
Impound, quarantine, and dispose of animals as appropriate; monitor health conditions; provide basic treatment to injured animals; transport animals to a veterinarian for treatment; euthanize unclaimed, wounded, or sick animals; provide animal adoption services.
Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.
Coordinate volunteers who work in the shelter and all tours and field trips to the shelter.
Assist with occasional outreach events and programs.
Estimate time, materials, and equipment required for jobs assigned; requisition materials as required.
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Knowledge of:
Operations, services, and activities of an animal control program including basic animal care requirements.
State regulations on daily animal care and sheltering work to include preparation of required reports.
Texas Dept. of Health and Federal Drug Enforcement regulations regarding animal control procedures.
Animal diseases and sanitation practices.
Various breeds of dogs, cats, and other domestic animals.
Behavioral characteristics of both domestic and wild animals.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
Basic usage of computers and data entry into software programs.
Operations, services, and activities of the city.
English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Operational characteristics of animal control equipment and tools.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Ability to:
Independently perform the most difficult animal control tasks and activities.
Explain and understand department policies and procedures.
Operate a variety of equipment in a safe and effective manner.
Safely care for and handle all types of animals, enforcing animal regulations.
Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
Control loose, injured, or vicious animals.
Assist in the medical treatment and euthanizing of animals.
Work independently in the absence of supervision.
Understand and apply Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Interpret, explain, and enforce departmental policies and procedures.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Requirements
Education, Training and Experience:
High School diploma or GED. Related experience is preferred.
Licenses and Certificates:
A valid state driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands:
Effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, speaking in a clear, audible voice and operating assigned equipment. The employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 50 pounds unaided. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands:
While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; must have the mental capacity to euthanize animals, and determine/avoid dangerous situations; deal with multiple concurrent tasks; and interact with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.
Work Environment:
Exposure to a variety of domestic and wild animals and animal body fluids and potentially hostile environments; exposure to controlled drugs; exposure to inclement weather; work performed outside.
The City of Waxahachie offers a completive benefits program, including health, dental, and a defined contribution pension plan for full-time employees.
Insurance: HEALTH 100% of premium paid for by the City for the Employee Only High Deductible Health Plan. Other health plan options are available for additional premiums. Dependent coverage is available at the expense of the employee.
DENTAL Employee premiums are paid at 100% by the City. Dependent coverage is available at the expense of the employee.
VISION Coverage is offered at the expense of the employee.
LIFE The City provides each employee with a life insurance policy of $25,000. Additional coverage may be purchased at the expense of the employee.
VOYA Employees may elect to be covered under various supplemental policies at their own expense.
Retirement: TEXAS MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM Employees participate in a statewide retirement program at 7% mandatory contribution with the city match of 2:1. The program requires five (5) years to become vested, with 20 years retirement at any age. For more information contact TMRS at
DEFERRED COMPENSATION The City offers a 457 Plan and a Roth IRA option through Empower Retirement. The City offers payroll deductions and the employee chooses the amount of investment and investment choices.
Other Benefits: VACATION All full-time employees accrue 3.08 hours per pay period, based on longevity.
SICK LEAVE All full-time employees accrue one workday per month.
HOLIDAYS/PERSONAL DAYS Employees receive 12 paid holidays and 2 personal days per year.
01
Select the highest level of education that you have completed.
Less than a High School Diploma or GED
High School/GED
Associate's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
02
Do you have a valid drivers license?
Yes
No
03
This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule including but not limited to nights and weekends. Are you willing and able to work different shifts as assigned?
Yes
No
04
Do you have prior Animal Control experience?
Yes
No
05
I have knowledge/experience with the following (select all that apply):
Animal care/handling (Feeding, walking, and bathing animals, etc.)
Various animal breeds
Environmental health hazards (e.g., viruses, bacteria, animal feces, urine, or bodily fluids)
Multi-tasking
Handling inquiries and complaints from the general public
Record keeping
Customer service
Animal adoption services
Community outreach events
Issuing citations
Treating injuries or wounds
Handling wild or vicious animals
Cleaning and sanitizing
Face to face interaction with the public (e.g., field trips, tours, providing general guidance and information, etc.)
Other Experience Not Listed
06
Please describe any other related experience you have with this position that was not listed above: