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Ellensburg, WA - Animal Control Assistant

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CITY OF ELLENSBURG
POLICE DEPARTMENT
ANIMAL CONTROL ASSISTANT
REPORTS TO: ANIMAL SHELTER MANAGER

MISSION:

To assist in safely maintaining the animal shelter and educate the public about pet care.

SUMMARY:

Educate and assist the pet owning public. Care for stray and unwanted pets in the shelter. Eliminate unwanted pets in the shelter. Maintain records, books, and computer entry. Keep shelter clean.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

All of the following are to be performed while adhering to City of Ellensburg operational policies, safety rules, and procedures.

Sanitize Dog Kennels:

      Perform census of sheltered animals

      Disinfect and rinse all outside runs until clean

      Monitor security of all cages

      Put hoses away

      Secure dogs from inside runs to outside runs

      Remove all food dishes and wash; stand beds on end

      Disinfect and rinse all inside runs and beds

      Rinse drains to assure all feces and disinfectant is removed

      Prepare beds, refill waters, reopen inside runs

Sanitize Cat Ward:
      Prepare cleaning supplies

      Remove cat from cage, dispose of litter

      Remove food/water and cat blankets

      Wipe down with disinfectant

      Replace cage with fresh litter, food, water and a clean cat blanket

      Return cat to cage, secure cage

      Repeat process until all cages are clean

      Gather all dishes and wash; place blankets in washer

      Sweep and mop floor

General Cleaning Duties:
      Wash dishes

      Clean urine, feces, vomit, and blood from euthanasia area

      Clean blood from freezer

      Clean grooming area

      Wipe down dog dryer

      Clean and sanitize quarantined animal cages

      Clean and sweep live trap areas and under cages

      Collect laundry

      Empty garbage

      Sweep, vacuum, mop, and wipe counters and desks

      Clean kitchen and bathroom area

General Care for Animals:
      Vaccinate, worm, bathe and groom animals

      Administer general first aid to animals

      Feed and water all animals

Perform Euthanasia:
      Determine animals to be euthanized and communicate to assisting staff

      Prepare euthanasia area and tools

      Determine proper amount of drug and load syringe

      Locate vein on subject; insert needle and aspirate; inform assistant when needle is properly secured

      Inject solution at appropriate rate

      Monitor life signs until death

      Place animal in cadaver bag and load in freezer

      Clean euthanasia table of urine, feces, blood, and vomit

      Repeat to completion

      Record essential data in euthanasia log

      Return drugs to safe and lock

Office Duties:
      Data entry

      Fill out various office forms

      Complete lost and found forms

      Answer phones; write down messages; check voice mail

      Call vets for rabies proof or advice

      Educate walk-in public on pet laws, care of pets, and various other questions

      Sell licenses

      Demonstrate use of traps; check traps out to citizens

      Assist in public adoption of animals

      Assist in returning lost animals to owners

      Receive strays, owner releases, dead animals, and wild cats or animals in traps

General Shelter Maintenance:
      Water flowers and trees; some summer weeding

      Pick up debris around shelter grounds

      Assist in emergency call if officer is off duty

      Assist in loading and delivering garbage and corpses to landfill

Other duties may be assigned.

This is a representative sample--not to imply a complete listing of responsibilities and tasks.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

      EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

      High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

      LANGUAGE SKILLS:

      Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

      MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

      Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

      NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

      (A) Working knowledge of animal restraint and care techniques;

      (B) Some skill in operating the tools and equipment listed below;
      (C) Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers , supervisors and the public; Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; Ability to follow verbal and written instructions; Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.
      TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

      Computer; phone; pen; leashes; printer; mop and brooms; vacuum; vaccines and syringes; needles; tourniquet; stethoscope, cat grabber pole; net; crates; hose; sponges and buckets; garbage cans; collars; freezer; cadaver bags; clippers; scissors; dog dryer; police radio.

      CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

      Certificate of Legend Drugs; WA St Driver's License; First aid and CPR certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and climb or balance.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision to observe animals for sickness or disease, to administer IV injections and to verify death of animal, distance vision to observe loose animals, and color vision to observe dog collars from a distance as well as color of animal.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and fumes or airborne particles; animal transmitted diseases; exposure to fractious, frightened, dangerous animals; mental and emotional stress from euthanasia; and continual contact with irate/emotional pet owners and victims. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

The key relationships described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will provide information, collect information and solve problems with the public and other agencies These activities will be performed by telephone and/or in person.

The employee will communicate maintenance and/or repair needs to the Shelter Manager in person or by memo.

Department Head (date) Supervisor (date) Employee (date)

NOTICE: The above job profile does not include all essential and nonessential duties of this job. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Personnel Department to review and discuss the essential and nonessential functions of the job. An employee with a disability can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential function of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

DISCLAIMER: Job profiles are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks, skills, efforts, working conditions or similar behaviors, attributes or requirements associated with a job. A job profile is not a comprehensive job description. It is intended for the sole purpose of acquainting a person who is unfamiliar with such position with a brief overview of the position's general direction and scope. This position profile is confidential, is intended for internal use only and may not be copied or reproduced by anyone for any purpose without written permission from the Director of Personnel or the City Manager.