About the Department

Under general supervisor, the Animal Care Technician (ACT) is responsible for maintaining a safe and sanitary facility for animals and people in accordance with all statutes, ordinances, and regulations pursuant to the operation of pounds and the sheltering of animals. Lawful, proper, and humane care of animals shall be their primary responsibility. Assures all animals' nutrition, sanitary housing and basic medical needs are met on a daily basis. Proper performance of duties is essential to preserve the health of animals and to prevent the spread of disease within the shelter. Assists the public when reclaiming, adopting or admitting animals and promotes responsible pet ownership in conversations with customers. The Animal Care Technician-Office Assistant works a rotating schedule of weekdays, weekends, and holidays. 

Position Duties

• Responsible for duties related to the daily care of Shelter animals to include cleaning and disinfecting of the animal holding areas and walkways.
• Perform continual maintenance and housekeeping duties to include minor repairs and upkeep of the Shelter workrooms and public areas.
• Reports equipment in need of repair or replacement to the Animal Shelter Director. Assure that animals receive species and age specific food in sufficient quantity and water. Provide safe and humane handling of animals in the Shelter.
• Observes and evaluate animals for signs of illness or injury and reports symptoms to Animal Shelter Supervisor.
• Dispense medications as prescribed and directed and verify that animals have swallowed oral medications.
• Assist in performing health and behavior evaluations on individual animals. Assist in photographing animals for adoption promotion efforts.
• Assist in administering scheduled vaccinations and treatments.
• Performs euthanasia procedure.
• Bathe and groom any animals that need special attention.
• Exercise, socialize and train Shelter animals. Wash, dry, fold and put away laundry.
• Performs routine spot-checks and sanitation of animal holding areas throughout the day to maintain cleanliness.
• Remove and dispose of feces in the outside exercise yards and around the outside of the facility. Assist with inventory and restocking supplies.
• Monitor visitors to the Shelter for the safety of citizens and animals.
• Assist customers who are seeking lost pets and those interested in adopting. Respond to questions about the adoption process and specific animals. Assist customers in reclaiming their animals, or in completing adoption applications.
• Assist with the intake of animals and maintains accurate records.
• Animal Care Technicians are responsible for observing how animals interact with various people and other animals. They shall advise the Animal Shelter Manager regarding any animal that is unusually withdrawn or that displays aggression towards people or other animals.
• The Animal Care Technician-Office Assistant works a rotating schedule of weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Performs administrative duties related to operational efficiency of the shelter to include but not limited to answering phones, greeting customers, responding to inquiries, and assisting with intake from animal control. 
• Assist in presenting educational programs on responsible pet ownership, spay/neuter, etc. Assist with office/clerical tasks as may be required.
• Performs other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

 

Other Qualifications

Requires a high school diploma or GED equivalent and some experience working with animal husbandry training or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
 
Work involves the ability to exert moderate, though not constant, physical effort, typically involving some combination of driving, walking, climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which involves the lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (up to 50 pounds).  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
 
Tasks involve the ability to exert moderate, though not constant, physical effort, typically involving some combination of driving, walking, climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, and which involves the lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (up to 50 pounds).   

EMPLOYEE UTILIZATION IN ADVERSE WEATHER AND EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
 
All King William County employees are subject to being assigned to specific positions and tasks during a “Declared Emergency” as support personnel, by the County Administrator. Once assigned, this would be the same as a regular work assignment and all policies and procedures for duty assignments apply.
 
**Potential candidates will be required to complete drug testing, driving and background checks.

The foregoing is intended as a general description of job responsibilities and performance expectations and does not constitute a contract for employment between the employee and the County of King William, Virginia.