The Department of Health and Human Services – Animal Care Services, is currently hiring for extra help/temporary Kennel Attendant vacancies. Temporary/Extra Help assignments are limited to working 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits.
Appointments made from this eligible list may be eligible for transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.
DEFINITION
To feed and care for animals housed by the County in the kennel or cattery; and to maintain facilities in a clean and sanitary condition.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives immediate supervision from the Supervising Animal Control Officer, and technical and functional supervision from other animal control staff.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Maintain the kennel and cattery in a clean, sanitary and safe condition; clean and disinfect kennels and cages; feed and water animals; provide first aid to wounded animals. Maintain records on special feed instructions for animals needing unique care; clean and disinfect quarantine areas; take in stray and owner released animals from the public and provide appropriate records; handle dead and decomposing animal carcasses.
- Assist the public in difficult situations, including requests for euthanasia; perform euthanasia procedures to ensure safe and humane treatment; perform chemical restraint procedures as necessary.
- Receive and classify animals delivered to the shelter.
- Assist the public in redemption and adoption of animals; review records for lost and found animals and attempt to help the public.
- Oversee volunteer involvement in the kennels and cattery; teach basic animal attendant skills.
- Oversee the work performed by trustees from the County Jail assigned to the kennels and cattery.
- Oversee the ordering of supplies needed for operation of the kennel and cattery; make recommendations to supervisor.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: No experience is required. Some experience handling dogs and cats under stressful and traumatic conditions is desirable.
Training: Formal or informal education or training which ensures the ability to read and write at a level necessary for successful job performance.
License or Certificate:
- Possession of, or ability to obtain prior to completion of the probationary period, a certificate in euthanasia procedures.
- May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
- Various dog breeds and characteristics in order to properly classify and cage dogs in order to avoid disruptions and maintain safety of all animals.
Ability to:
- Work with the public during tense and emotional situations; calm hostile and emotionally distraught individuals; demonstrate tact, courtesy, patience and sound judgement.
- Relay information to the public on program and departmental policies, procedures, and services.
- Learn procedures and terminology associated with kennel and cattery operations.
- Instruct and review the work of volunteers and trustees involved in maintaining the shelter facility.
- Learn to apply state and local laws, rules and regulations relating to the shelter, including special conditions for quarantined animals.
- Properly feed animals and notice symptoms of illness.
- Hold live animals and inject an euthanizing drug into the animal in the most humane manner possible; properly measure drugs into hypodermic syringes for chemical restraint and euthanasia.
- Maintain records and files.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of animal control operations; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; problem solve kennel or cattery situations; and explain animal control related laws to the public.
- On an intermittent basis, sit at desk or in vehicle; walk and stand during field activities; bend, squat, kneel or twist while working in field or kennel operations; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and finer manipulation; and lift very heavy weight.
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