Kennel Assistant

(Anticipated Hiring Range: $16.14 - $16.97/hour)

Positions assigned to this class perform technical and routine animal care related duties involving cleaning and maintaining the kennel area, feeding animals and administering shots and medication. Provides clerical and customer service support to the Animal Control office.

The following are intended to describe core work functions of this classification. While the level and broad nature of essential duties may not change, specific work tasks may vary over time depending on the City’s needs.

• Clean, disinfect and maintain animal runs and cages; clean and disinfect other parts of the animal housing facility; clean and maintain the animal control office area.
• Provide care, feeding and medical aid for impounded animals; administer medication to control fleas, ticks and various other ailments; assist with other tasks as assigned.
• Assist with intakes of stray or owner surrendered animals. Receive and release animals for adoption or when claimed by legal owner; locate owners of impounded animal through tags and microchips.
• Assist with animal behavior assessments. Demonstrate safe animal handling and restraint.
• Administer vaccinations, assist with vaccine and microchip events, assist with euthanasia.
• Perform routine office work such as answering phones, data entry, filing and providing customers with forms and written information about animal control procedures.
• Issue licenses and kennel permits.
• Create and maintain a safe environment for the animals, visitor and workers; alert others to unsafe equipment or situations.
• Order and maintain supplies of animal vaccines in compliance with government regulations concerning control, use and inventory of vaccines.
• Support City policies, goals and objectives and work with management and other staff to ethically achieve such goals and objectives; ensure compliance with safety procedures.

• Must possess a high school diploma or GED.

• City and Department procedures, policies and guidelines;
  City Code;
  National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) procedures;
  American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines.
• Safety procedure for using equipment, cleaning chemicals and interacting with animals.
• Basic animal care, feeding and safe handling practices.
• Basic understanding of dog and cat behavior.
• Administering basic medications and vaccines.

• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with coworkers and other individuals in contact during the course of work.
• Communicating clearly and compassionately with pet owners and customers.
• Assessing, prioritizing and completing multiple tasks and demands simultaneously.
• Identifying and utilizing the correct safety equipment when handling animals.
• Remaining calm and professional in high-stress or emotional situations.

• Candidates who are selected for appointment may be fingerprinted, if 18 or older; successfully complete a background investigation, employment verification and may be subject to a drug/alcohol test, medical, polygraph and/or psychological evaluation.
• Candidates who are appointed will be required to possess a valid driver’s license to operate a vehicle in Arizona or meet the transportation needs of the position.

• Must obtain certification from National Animal Care and Association (NACA) PTS Euthanasia within one (1) year of appointment.

Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor kennel area with some work in a standard office environment. May require frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping and some operation of a personal computer. May be required to perform a full range of motion with lifting and/or carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds. May be subject to animal bites and/or scratches and cleaning chemicals.