Senior Animal Care Specialist

• High school diploma or GED equivalency.3-4 years of animal shelter experience as a municipal animal shelter assistant, veterinary technician or veterinary assistant.
• 3-4 years of customer service experience.
• Ability to obtain Euthanasia Technician Certification, as required by city policy, within 6 months of employment.
• Ability to obtain State of Texas Basic Animal Control Officer Certification within 1 year of employment.
• Requires a valid Texas Driver's License.

Responsible for performing activities of an Animal Care Specialist as well as performing lead activities.  This leadership will include monitoring staff performance on a day-to-day basis, preparing monthly activity reports, provide training and conduct weekly shelter evaluations.  Work is performed with limited supervision.

Essential Job Functions: 

• Participates in monitoring day-to-day operation of the Animal Services and Adoption Center.  This function will include monitoring shelter documentation and data entry for accuracy.
• Complete weekly shelter inspections to document staff performance and consistency.
• Make recommendations on sick, injured or aggressive animals.
• Monitor shelter stock and approve purchase of new supplies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of common animal and zoonotic diseases.
• Knowledge of animal behavior.
• Knowledge of animal breeds.
• Knowledge of sedatives utilized on animals.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Knowledge of basic animal anatomy.
• Knowledge of proper cleaning and sanitizing methods and procedures
• Knowledge of pet vaccination procedures including safe handling practices.
• Knowledge of common shelter diseases and proper protocols for treatment and disinfecting.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to domestic and wild animal management.
• Knowledge of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s guideline for use and storage of controlled substances.
• Skilled in caring for animals.
• Skilled in identifying common animal diseases.
• Skilled in administering sedatives to animals.
• Skilled in cleaning and sanitizing animal care facilities.
• Skilled in providing customer service.
• Skilled in restraining and handling difficult animals.
• Skilled in obtaining samples and specimens for medical testing.
• Skilled in operating a computer and related software applications.
• Skilled in communicating effectively with a variety of individuals, including good written and verbal communication skills.
• Skilled in standard/metric weight and dose conversions.
• Ability to lift up to 75lbs without assistance, including loading an animal into a transport unit.

Supervisory/Budget Responsibilities:

• Lead responsibility over Animal Care Specialists.
• Assist Animal Services Manager with drafting annual budget and monitor budget for shelter services.
• Assist Animal Services Manager with preparing mid-year and annual performance evaluations for shelter staff.
• Initiate Positive Performance Management to encourage strong performance and correct performance deficiencies.
• Complete accident/injury reports as needed.
• Supervise volunteers assigned to shelter services.