Animal Care Technician

Overview

This is the first of five levels in the Animal Care series.

• Clean and sanitize animal holding areas and provide care to the animals.
• Assign incoming animals to kennels.
• Administer medications and vaccinations.
• Euthanize animals.
• Prepare heads for rabies checks.
• Cremate animals.
• Microchip animals.
• Clean kennels and public areas.
• Assist the public in selecting an animal and completing paperwork.
• Feed and water animals.
• Monitor animals for illness, disease, and/or injury.
• Evaluate animals for adoption potential.
• Socialize animals in custody.
• Administer vaccines and oral dewormers.
• Perform other related activities.
• Maintain and prepare files, records, reports, agreements, logs, adoption records and forms, and/or other related information.

This position does not require supervisory responsibilities.

High School Diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.); or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Valid driver's license as per State law or requirement.

• Customer service principles;
• Basic animal handling techniques and applications;
• Basic animal care and nutrition requirements;
• Basic animal anatomy;
• Cleaning and sanitizing methods;
• Recordkeeping practices;
• Computers and related software applications.

• Caring for animals;
• Cleaning and sanitizing animal holding areas;
• Observing and documenting animal behavior;
• Identifying sick animals;
• Handling animals;
• Preparing and maintaining records and reports;
• Using computers and related software applications;
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

• 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.
• Positions in this class typically require: reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
• Heavy Work:
  Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of forces constantly to move objects.
• Incumbents may be subjected to fumes, odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, blood and other bodily fluids, inadequate lighting, work space restrictions, intense noises, and a threatening environment.

• 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, extreme heat, animal bites, repugnant odors and sights inherent within a shelter environment, and possible exposure to diseases associated with animals, including blood-borne pathogens. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; extreme cold;
  
  and risk of electrical shock.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually very loud.

An employee in this position will be supplied with a uniform, provided by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. The employee is responsible for abiding by the Police Jury's Uniform Agreement.

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.