Job: Animal Care Attendant

Job Description

Job Type: Part time, Hourly

Wage: $15/hr.

Location: Trinidad, CO.

Job Description:

Open until filled

GENERAL PURPOSE

This position provides for the daily care of animals, including creating and maintaining a high-quality kennel environment that benefits the animal’s health and well-being.

CULTURAL VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

The mission of every employee at the City of Trinidad is to deliver exceptional value and quality of life to all our citizens.  Each employee is measured by the ability to adhere to the city’s core value of Pride which is delivered through Purpose, Respect, Integrity, Dependability and Excellence.  As a City we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity for all citizens and recognize that it is a privilege to serve the citizens of Trinidad, Colorado.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required.  The City of Trinidad retains the right to modify or change the essential duties and additional functions of the job at any time without notice. Examples of duties are not intended to be all-inclusive or restrictive:

• Consistent on-site and on-time attendance is essential for this position based on assigned schedule.
• Deliver high level of customer service to shelter patrons.
• Create and maintain a high-quality kennel environment that benefits the animal’s health and well-being.
• Assist in helping the organization be the best it can be for animals, community, customers, and fellow team members
• Have an advanced and thorough knowledge and practice of shelter procedures and policy.
• Handle and move animals and assist with the interaction between animals and patrons.
• Provide food, water and care for animals.
• Thoroughly clean and sanitize animal kennels, including associated equipment and supplies and other work areas.
• Adhere to all shelter safety, training, and handling and transportation protocols in order to ensure that the shelter environment is safe for animals, the public, volunteers and other employees.
• Wear required identification and use personal protective clothing and safety equipment as defined by safety policies and procedures.
• Have the ability to recognize animal behavioral conditions and choose appropriate assessment or treatment in accordance with shelter procedure.
• Accurately perform shelter record documentation.
• Assist in training new employees, current employees and volunteers.
• Perform all basic husbandry requirements including bathing, grooming, health checking, weighing, feeding and toileting.
• Participate in practical and theoretical training sessions delivered on aspects of dog and cat handling, training and care.
• Competently handle animals of various ages and various levels of training.
• Communicate extensively within the team, adopting a group consultative and problem-solving approach to establish work priorities and best practices
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings.
• Use cleaning materials and equipment with care, skill and efficiency.
• Learn to recognize abnormal conditions/behaviors and notify the shelter medical team and/or shelter manager
• Utilize organizational skills to keep the shelter organized in all aspects.
• Work will be performed on weekends and holidays in addition to Monday through Friday
• Other job duties as assigned.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Cleaning and disinfecting methods and the use and care of cleaning materials and equipment.
• Proper methods of animal restraint.
• Basic office and computer skills.

Ability to:

• Use cleaning materials and equipment with skill and efficiency.
• Work with a diverse group of co-workers, volunteers and clientele.
• Perform moderately heavy physical labor.
• Learn to recognize abnormal conditions and animal behavior.
• Work independently and in a team setting.
• Remain calm and level-headed in an often stressful and emotional work environment.
• Multitask and prioritize job duties in a busy and constantly changing work environment.
• Reliably and predictably carry out duties.

SUPERVISION

Received:  Works under the general supervision of the Shelter Manager.

Exercised:  May assists in the supervision of volunteers.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Basic animal behavior and care, cleaning, and disinfecting methods and the use and care of cleaning materials and equipment, proper methods of animal restraint.
• Experience preferred.

Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid current state-issued driver’s license and not be under suspension, revocation or denial nor have any prior alcohol and/or drug related driving offenses within the last five years. A driving record search will be conducted on all applicants prior to employment and will be subject to observation throughout their employment.
• Successful candidates must pass a background investigation and physical examination in accordance with job duties prior to employment.
• Applicants will be required to undergo drug testing prior to employment and may be subject to further drug and alcohol testing throughout their employment as per City policy.
• CPR and First Aid training required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  This job is most frequently performed in an indoor environment, however, there will be tasks that require the employee to work outdoors from time to time, possibly during inclement weather conditions. Must work near mechanical equipment and be subject to exposure to infectious animal diseases, animal wastes, animal bites, allergens, and various industrial cleaning and disinfecting chemicals.

Working conditions also include working alone, irregular hours, frequent interruptions, exposure to unpleasant odors and noises, and some evening meetings/classes.

**Disclaimer: The duties and responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee, time to time; the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. Click “View Application” below for more detail on this specific job.