Supervising Animal Care Specialist

Overview

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Health and Human Services Agency. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Health and Human Services Agency located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

• Plan, supervise and evaluate the work of the Animal Services Shelter staff.
• Advise staff in the interpretation and application of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing animal shelter operations; conduct staff meetings.
• Recommend and implement approved changes to ensure operational goals are met and inform the Animal Services Manager of operational concerns and emerging issues.
• Coordinate shelter activities between the community, volunteers, and departmental staff.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.

For a full list of duties for this position, information is available in the job posting.

Education:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience:

Five (5) years of hands-on experience handling, managing and caring for animals in a shelter facility, humane society, veterinary hospital, or similar agency.

Equivalencies for

Experience:

• Thirty (30) semester or forty-five (45) quarter units of college-level coursework in Veterinary Science, Animal Science or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Or one (1) year of service as a volunteer or employment involving the coordination of volunteers may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Special Note: Having and/or caring for personal or family pets will not substitute for the required experience.

• Knowledge of supervising and training principles and practices.
• Laws, rules, ordinances, and regulations governing animal shelters and impounding, releasing, and euthanasia of animals.
• Safe, humane, and efficient practices of animal care and handling of various breeds of animals.
• Techniques, methods, and medications used in the treatment of animals.
• Data collection techniques and report writing.
• Domestic animal behavior assessment techniques.
• Operations of an animal shelter or veterinary facility.
• Basic cash handling techniques.
• Basic mathematics.
• English language usage including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Understanding of various animal breeds and their behavioral characteristics.
• Awareness of symptoms of common animal disease.
• Safe work practices related to the handling and care of animals and facilities maintenance.

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds while respecting beliefs and interpersonal styles of clients and co-workers.
• Operate contemporary office equipment including computer and related devices.
• Complete multiple priority projects with strict deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and personal information.
• Attend meetings outside of regular working hours and may work on-call to respond to emergencies. Supervise, train, and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
• Learn, apply, and follow appropriate rules, policies, procedures, and ordinances related to licensing, adoption, quarantine, impounding, care, and treatment of animals.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Provide prompt, courteous, and responsive customer service to the public.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Organize work, determine priorities, exercise sound judgment, and complete multiple tasks with deadlines under stressful conditions.
• Plan and complete assignments independently.
• Accurately perform euthanasia of animals by injection as required or assigned.
• Prepare and handle rabies test samples and related procedures as needed.
• Collect and review information on departmental activities.
• Exercise good judgment and self-restraint in stressful situations.
• Use protective equipment as directed and trained.
• Work in a loud environment with exposure to animals, animal fluids, waste and smells, and pharmaceuticals.
• Retain and recall information.
• Lift, drag, or carry weights up to 100 pounds.

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.
• Complete and pass the department’s Humane Euthanasia training course within six months of the date of hire.
• Complete all requirements needed to obtain a Veterinary Assistant Controlled Substance Permit per the California Veterinary Medical Board within 90 days of the date of hire and maintain VACSP certification.

• Must be immunized against rabies and maintain immunity for the duration of employment.

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background…