Contingent Animal Handler Police, Animal Control
Job Location:
Columbia, SC - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
- POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
POSITION SUMMARY:
Employee performs routine animal handling and control work caring for animals confined at the County Animal Shelter.
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
This is a support role to routine animal handling and control work caring for animals confined at the County Animal Shelter maintaining related records and assisting with shelter clerical functions. Assignments include cleaning and maintaining all facilities at the Animal Shelter and surrounding area; food preparation and feeding of animals; and providing animal health care. Clerical duties include answering phone inquiries from the public; working at the public assistance counter; and assisting with other clerical functions. Work is performed under close supervision from a technical superior. Assignments are stable in nature and performed in accordance with applicable standards and regulations.*This is a contingent position meaning that it is not a part of the Howard County Classified Service and does not accrue County service time for the purpose of calculating any service benefit. This position is paid hourly and may work a varying number of hours per week based on the availability of funding and a continued need. A contingent employee is only eligible for fringe benefits required by State or Federal law.*
- ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Animal Care:
- Feeds and waters animals.
- Cleans disinfects and maintains cages kennels and surrounding areas.
- Performs temperament evaluations and physical examinations on incoming animals.
- Checks animals for tattoos and microchips; traces license and rabies tags.
- Bathes animals.
- Administers vaccinations medications first aid fluids wound treatments and necessary medical care.
- Quarantines rabies-suspect animals.
- Handles all species including reptiles amphibians domestic animals exotic species wildlife livestock and insects.
Customer Service and Public Interaction:
- Interviews adoption applicants.
- Safely and tactfully resolves conflicts and confrontational situations.
- Makes informed decisions regarding animal adoptions.
- Effectively communicates with the public about animal control laws nuisance wildlife deterrents proper pet care and training disease recognition preventative veterinary care and behavior modification.
- Conducts humane educational programs and facility tours.
Administrative and Clerical Tasks:
- Completes and processes a wide variety of complex forms related to redemptions adoptions licensing animal intake and drug/treatment charting.
- Enters and retrieves information from the computer.
- Answers multi-line phones.
- Operates office equipment such as copier and cash register.
- Handles cash transactions and prepares receipts.
- Assists with clerical and administrative duties.
- Prepares statistical reports.
Equipment Operation and Facility Maintenance:
- Operates specialized animal control equipment.
- Controls animals creating a danger.
- Uses chemicals and disinfectants as needed.
- Operates pressure washer.
Work Schedule Requirements:
- Works day evening night weekend and holiday shifts.
- Works shift changes often without advance notice.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.- MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education and experience which has provided the necessary knowledge skills and abilities required in the routine care and maintenance of animals confined to the County animal shelter and in the performance of basic clerical responsibilities.
CERTIFICATES LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:
Possession of a valid drivers license.
PREFERRED EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:- Experience in animal handling is preferred.
The physical demands 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.
Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time. Heavy lifting and manual dexterity are required.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop kneel crouch or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work environment consists of working within the shelter. This is an extremely fast-paced and highly stressful work environment. Employees are exposed to dangerous rabid and diseased domestic animals exotics and wildlife. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts outside weather conditions extreme cold extreme heat risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily in an animal shelter kennel or animal care facility with occasional work outdoors in varying weather conditions. The position requires frequent contact with domestic animals of varying sizes temperaments and medical conditions including frightened injured sick or aggressive animals. Employees are routinely exposed to animal hair dander waste odors cleaning chemicals disinfectants loud noises and potential hazards such as bites scratches and zoonotic diseases. The work requires adherence to established safety protocols and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
LANUGAGE SKILLS MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read analyze and interpret general business periodicals professional journals technical procedures or governmental regulations.Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers clients customers and the general public.
Ability to add subtract multiply and divide in all units of measure using whole numbers common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
TO APPLY:You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening background screening and reference checks.
At time of application please submit a copy of any college degree coursework licenses or certifications that you have referenced on your who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation ( County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard Countyis an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity equity and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color religion age sex ancestry creed national origin disability status genetics marital statusmilitary service sexual orientation gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at .Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.
