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About the Role

The Animal Care Attendant plays an essential role in supporting the daily operations of the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter by providing compassionate, consistent care to animals in the County’s custody. This position is responsible for performing semi-skilled maintenance work, technical and administrative duties including reporting and monitoring animal activities; provides outstanding customer service to shelter visitors; responds promptly, and efficiently to phone and email requests.

Responsibilities

Maintaining clean and sanitary housing
Providing daily feeding and enrichment
Monitoring animal health and behavior
Assisting with the safe handling of a variety of animals
Performing animal intakes and dispositions
Assisting Animal Health Technicians in the administration of medication, vaccines, and routine tests
Provides care for animals in the shelter including feeding, cleaning and monitoring animal behavior
Monitors conditions of animals and implements precautionary measures in order to prevent disease transmission
Cleans and disinfects pens, floors and related areas in accordance with established protocols
Prepares and maintains a variety of files and filing systems
Reviews and verifies records and computer files
Provides general office assistance such as answering phones, performs data entry, or other related duties as assigned
Unpacks, labels and stocks shelter supplies and donations
Provides assistance to customers wishing to adopt an animal
Escorts customers through the shelter
Responds to and directs questions regarding adoption or purchasing procedures
Assists with adoption processing
Provides information on general pet care
Receives animals at the shelter by interviewing owners and citizens turning over animals to the shelter
Documents age, breed and species information
Documents observations of incoming animals regarding the health or temperament of the animal
Provides information to individuals bringing animals to the shelter
Performs or assists with vaccinations and routine medical tests
Assists with the performance of euthanasia
Prepares and reviews a variety of correspondence, reports, permits and documents as assigned, including monthly statistical reports
Completes various forms
Prepares and distributes reports for review and use
Prepares and maintains a variety of forms used by the Animal Shelter Division
Researches and verifies information as necessary
Recognizes and records any unusual condition or abnormal behavior of any shelter animal including recognizing temperament changes and symptoms of illness
Reports signs of illness, disease, injury or unusual behavior to Animal Health Technician
Releases animals to their owners as directed by Customer Service and Adoption Specialist or a shelter supervisor
Washes and dries towels, blankets, litter pans, and food/water bowls
Performs preventive maintenance to equipment to keep equipment and tools in good working condition
Performs minor repairs on equipment as needed and notifies management about anticipated major repairs or new equipment necessary to adequately complete assignments
Keeps equipment and tools put away in proper storage areas
Transports sick or seriously injured animals to the veterinarian for treatment
Disinfects animal spaces between usages
Provides outstanding customer service to citizens, volunteers, rescue partners, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs, and events
Provides direction for volunteers when appropriate
Takes immediate action to address all safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, animal, client, or the organization at risk
Assists with behavioral evaluations and follows enrichment protocols set in place for specific animals
Works with trustees from inmate work detail and directs and participates in maintaining sanitary kennels and shelter facilities
Performs related work as required

Requirements

Good animal handling skills and motivation to ensure animals receive proper care
Knowledge of hazards and safety practices involved in dealing with animals
Knowledge of computer applications such as animal management software, Microsoft Outlook and/Office 365
Ability to work independently
Ability to work with the public, volunteers, animal control officers, and other agencies
Ability to inform and assist the public and volunteers as needed
Ability to maintain a safe, secure, healthy, and humane environment
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Ability to deal effectively with the public
High school diploma or GED equivalent
One year of direct professional animal handling experience in a veterinary facility or animal shelter and customer service experience
Valid driver's license
Must be at least 18 years of age
Subject to call-back in emergency situations
Operation of County owned vehicle
Ability to control, lift, and carry animals handled at the facility
Requires long periods of standing and frequent walking indoors and outdoors
Repeated bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or reaching
Recurring lifting of objects up to 50 pounds
Operation of keyboard devices
May involve walking over rough, uneven terrain
Work may be physically or emotionally demanding
Exposure to hazards while dealing with dangerous, frightened, or diseased animals
Exposure to cleaning and disinfecting agents
Exposure to animal dirt, dust, dander, noise, and odors from cleaning chemicals
Must be willing to assist in euthanasia procedures
Required to work non-standard schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
Required to work during emergency weather events or other emergency situations that close the shelter and require the operation of an emergency pet shelter
Work is subject to frequent interruptions

Skills

Animal handling
Customer service
Computer applications
Animal management software
Microsoft Outlook
Office 365
Independent work
Public interaction
Effective communication (oral and written)
Dealing with the public
Maintaining a safe environment
Euthanasia procedures
Preventive maintenance
Minor repairs

Location

County

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

One year of direct professional animal handling experience
Customer service experience

Education Level

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Salary/Compensations

$45,809 - $49,140 annually
$25.17 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits

15 days of sick leave
10 days of annual leave
5 days of personal leave
13 paid holidays (*14 in an election year)
Defined Contribution Plan
457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
Medical, dental, and vision coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Up to 80% tuition reimbursement
Gym membership discounts

About the Company

Calvert County Government offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, and work-life balance.

Equal Opportunity

Calvert County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at recruitment@calvertcountymd.gov with as much notice as possible.