SHELTER ATTENDANT I

About the Role

This position is responsible for the care of animals and to ensure clean and humane living conditions for all animals housed within the shelter. Position requires shift rotations, call-in after hours, weekends, holidays, and working during State of Emergencies. Position requires exposure to heat and cold on a daily basis.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintains kennels and outside areas in a clean and sanitary manner.
• Feeds and waters animals daily according to schedules; monitors animals in the kennels for sickness, injury, or death.
• Receives animals being delivered to the shelter by officers and/or the public.
• Intakes and places animals within the facility according to size, sex, needs, and circumstances.
• Maintains strict accountability by keeping animals with their respective records.
• Takes pictures of stray animals to publish on social media.
• Bathes, dips, inoculates, clips, grooms, and provides minor first aid and lab tests to animals.
• Handles animals, some of which may be aggressive and/or dangerous.
• Assists the public in searching for a lost pet or when seeking to adopt a new one.
• Maintains records pertaining to shelter operations as assigned.
• Has potential adopters sign into the Constant Contact guest book prior to viewing animals.
• Aids in the euthanasia process (holding, pulling, bagging, placing in freezer and/or in Animal Control truck).
• Prepares lists of kennel supplies and food.
• Attends offsite adoptions events.
• Recognizes signs of stress or disease in animals and immediately reports any sick or injured animals to the assigned supervisor.
• Moves animals from temporary holding areas into appropriate kennels.
• Compares intake reports to actual counts of animals within the shelter.
• Repairs/maintains equipment.
• Performs general housekeeping and yard duties.
• Maintains simple to moderate written reports.
• Maintains records/files.
• Maintains animal shelter by performing various minor building and grounds maintenance tasks.
• Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to policies and procedures regarding absenteeism and tardiness.
• Provides adequate notice to higher management regarding vacation time and leave requests.
• Operates a County vehicle to load and unload inedible waste.
• Picks up store supplies such as feed, disinfectants, and equipment.
• May answer phones.
• May operate radio equipment to dispatch assignments to field units.
• Performs related duties as required, including working in other functional areas to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• High school diploma or general equivalency diploma.
• Must obtain Certification as an Animal Shelter Technician from the American Animal Cruelty Investigations School (AACIS) within six (6) months of hire.
• Must possess a valid State Drivers License.
• Computer skills for word processing and records management.
• Constant Contact guest book.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the methods, procedures, and policies of Nassau County pertaining to the performance of Shelter Attendant I duties.
• Knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of County and other Governmental agencies.
• Knowledge of the laws, ordinances, standards, regulations, methods, procedures, and policies pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to prioritize service requests based on importance.
• Knowledge of euthanasia procedures, animal care, health, and disease.
• Good organizational, technical, and human relations skills.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and technology.
• Knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department.
• Ability to plan and develop daily, short-term, and long-term goals related to County purposes.
• Ability to take initiative to complete duties without the need for direct supervision.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions of the industry.
• Knowledge of proper English usage, punctuation, spelling, and grammar.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other Departments, professionals, and the public through contact and cooperation.
• Ability to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

Essential Physical Skills

• Stooping
• Kneeling
• Sitting
• Bending
• Crouching
• Reaching
• Standing
• Walking
• Lifting and carrying up to 75 lbs
• Pushing and pulling
• Grasping
• Talking

Work Environment

• Work is performed in various locations, both indoors and outdoors.
• Exposure to heat and cold, wetness, humidity, machinery, hazards, electrical currents, smoke/dust, odors, dirt/pollen, dangerous animals, traffic hazards, and noise extremes.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.