Animal Care Specialist

Postion Overview

Note: Work Hours: Various shifts and hours based on shelter needs. Must be able to work weekends. Full-Time: 35-40 hours per week & Part-Time: 15-25 hours per week

HOW TO APPLY
Applications may be submitted electronically or mailed/dropped off at the Chilton County Commission Officer. Please send application, resume with a cover letter and 3 professional references – addressing the job requirements to this email address: thinton@chiltoncounty.org. Or to this mailing address: 500 2nd Avenue North, Clanton, AL 35045. Submitted applications are to be to the attention of the Human Resource Department, Terry Hinton, Human Resource Director.

Job Summary:
Responsible for the daily care of animals at CCAS. Including feeding, watering, cleaning of enclosures, health monitoring and enrichment. Responsible for ensuring animals’ overall well-being and welfare.

Job Duties:
• Monitor and observe all animals’ health needs throughout the day.
• For animals in isolation, you may be required to wear gowns, gloves, booties, masks to minimize the spread of illness and disease.
• Bathe canines as needed.
• Effectively and promptly communicate all health or behavior concerns to your supervisor and Directors.
• Provide clean water for all animals throughout the day and properly feed at the scheduled time.
• Safely and humanely move and/or relocate animals to various areas of the shelter based on animals’ medical, behavioral needs or as instructed by the Animal Care Supervisor.
• Follow behavioral plans for identified canines as established by the Animal Care Supervisor.
• Clean all interior and exterior of adoption floor for canines and feline areas of the shelter. This may include hallways, outdoor areas, yards and runs. Daily cleaning includes urine, vomit, scooping of feces, and any other canine excrement. Replacing bedding and toys as needed. Washing, drying and folding laundry. Restocking as needed.
• Deep cleaning animal areas which will include, but not limited to, spraying/scrubbing all surfaces, disinfecting and rinsing of animal housing areas.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area.
• Promptly discard worn or torn toys, bedding, trash, fecal matter to minimize odors and illnesses.
• Assist potential adopters by recommending canines that will be a good match for their household. Honestly answering questions regarding known medical, behaviors, temperaments and energy levels.
• Educating visitors about animals at the shelter
• Provide friendly direction of visitors and volunteers interaction with the animals to ensure proper interaction and a safe and calm environment.
• Provide prompt and timely updates to the communication logbook to relay information to other caretakers, supervisors and directors.
• Attend and participate in CCAS staff meetings, training sessions or other events as directed by management.
• May be required to work unusual hours, weekends and holidays.
• May be required to drive shelter van to transport animals to various locations
• Any other required work assigned by supervisor, Assistant Director, or Director.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
1. Ability to work in an emotionally taxing field. A positive attitude and sense of humor are essential. Compassion and empathy for people and animals.
2. Experience working with animals is a plus; however, it is not a requirement. We will train the right candidate.
3. A current working knowledge of companion animal care and adoption issues such as transmittable disease in canines, zoonotic diseases, safe and humane animal handling procedures. Preferred, again, we will train the right candidate.
4. Confidence and ability to work with animals of varying breeds, sizes and weights.
5. Shelter animals CAN be unpredictable or aggressive. So, knowledge of canine posturing behaviors is preferred, but not required. We will train the right candidate.
6. Ability to properly handle and dispose of animal waste, hazardous chemicals/materials and sharp objects.

Minimum Qualifications
1. Must have reliable transportation and be dependable. The animals’ welfare and lives depend on your attendance.
2. Valid Driver’s License is required to drive the shelter van.
3. Ability to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor both within the CCAS and out in public.
4. Ability to approach CCAS staff, volunteers and the public to openly discuss the shelter, its mission and the animals in a friendly, honest and professional manner.

Physical Demands and Working Environment
1. Work is performed in an animal shelter. There is potential for exposure to environmental factors such as: Temperature variations, High noise levels, Zoonotic Diseases, Animal waste, Strong odors, Hazardous chemicals or chemical materials requiring OSHA Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Anesthetics, Sharp objects, Potential hostile persons, Unpredictable or dangerous animals.
2. Ability to multitask in a rapidly changing environment
3. May be required to work long or unusual hours during peak operational needs.
4. Ability to stay standing or active during the entire shift.
5. Lift/Carry object and animals up to 50lbs, 100+ with assistance
6. Ability to lift, bend, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, pull and other strenuous activities.
7. Ability to understand that animal shelter practices can change rapidly and you will need to be open minded, flexible to change.
8. Ability to take direction from a superior as well as work in a team environment.
9. MUST have NO allergies to canines, or felines.

CHILTON COUNTY COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Education Requirements

No formal education

Skill, Certification & Experience Requirements

• Animal control/shelter experience

Closing Date for Applications

Applications accepted continuously.