Animal Adoption Assistant

Full Job Description

Are you looking for a position with a work/life balance? Do you want to earn four weeks off during your first year of employment? Do you want low and no cost health insurance options?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need to complete your application now.

Work for the city you love!!!Animal Care and Protective Services is actively seeking Animal Adoption Assistants.Did you know as a City of Jacksonville employee, you would also have 12 paid holidays and a personal leave day as well?

In addition, to health insurance, dental, vision, life insurance and flexible spending plans are also available.

City of Jacksonville employees are also eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness after 10 years of public service and on-time payments.

This is technical work in handling animal intake adoptions, and customer service through direct contact with animals of unknown origin and temperament.

A key element is providing customer support in a highly emotionally charged environment.

Routine veterinary procedures are performed under the supervision of trained staff to include insertion of microchip identification, vaccinations, blood draws, and similar procedures.

Work requires knowledge of techniques, methods and procedures used in the care of animals, basic understanding of animal body language, the function and operation of safety equipment used in animal handling; many functions involve the use of specialized skills or specialized equipment, which are learned on the job or through specialized training.

Contacts with others require skills in understanding and influencing people, which are important in responding to and resolving complaints relating to animal care issues.

Skills of persuasiveness, assertiveness, and sensitivity to others point of view are often required to influence behavior, change an opinion, or turn a situation around.

Work schedule involves some weekend, holidays, and rotating shifts.

The work is semi-routine in that tasks are covered by procedures or precedents, but some latitude is permitted to consider the most appropriate method, technique, or procedure to follow.

The work is patterned involving similar situations and generally requiring only the choice of the correct procedure.

Work is performed in field, kennel, and office environments, where there are some risks and hazards due to the handling of vicious, ill, infectious, and rabid animals, and exposure to offensive odors, chemicals, and other airborne nuisances but the hazards are known, somewhat predictable and mostly controllable.

Operates laboratory and standard office equipment such as personal computer, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, animal restraint equipment and cash register. Operates a motor vehicle.

The physical demands consist mainly of sitting, standing, walking, transporting animals, and lifting and controlling animals and/or objects weighing more than 50 pounds.

Work is performed under general supervision where the work assignments are varied and, although subject to standard procedures, practices, and the worker is permitted some latitude to set own priorities subject to supervisor’s approval.

Requirements

• Provides customer assistance and information concerning animals, adoption policies, licensing, reclaim, and citations. 
• Provides customer assistance and information to owners surrendering pets.
• Educates community members on city ordinances, state statutes, pet retention, reunification, and pet owner support strategies.
• Assists in coordination and participates in adoption and community education events. 
• Transports animals to and from offsite locations and events.  
• Feeds and cares for animals in shelter. 
• Assists with minor medical procedures, testing and medicating animals.
• Performs euthanasia as taught by the FACA (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with the ACPS euthanasia protocol. Retrieves and places animals in appropriate areas for holding period, redemptions, medical examinations, shots, etc. 
• Enters and retrieves data on animals housed at facility. 
• Completes and files routine forms and reports. 
• Updates and responds to MYJAX complaints, calls, and e-mails.
• Collects fees, maintains records of monies collected and is responsible for balancing daily revenue reports with deposits. 
• Presents issued citations and provides education on payment methods and scheduling court appearances. 
• Reports to work location during emergency circumstances such as actual and anticipated natural and man-made disasters. 
• Operates laboratory and standard office equipment such as personal computer using word, spreadsheet, database and other related software, two-way radio, euthanasia equipment, animal restraint equipment and cash register.
• Operates a motor vehicle. 
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville’s competencies. 
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of techniques, methods and procedures used in the care of animals. 
• Knowledge of standardized work routines and procedures used to handle, care for, and identify a variety of animals.  
• Knowledge of customer service standards.
• Knowledge of animal behavior.
• Ability to handle or restrain large and sometimes dangerous animals. 
• Ability to respond to and resolve complaints relating to animal care issues. 
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports using a computer. 
• Ability to compute arithmetic calculations of whole numbers and decimals. 
• Ability to read, comprehend, and follow written and oral instructions in English. 
• Ability to perform euthanasia as taught by the FACA (Florida Animal Control Association) approved class and in compliance with the ACPS euthanasia protocol. 
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to operate laboratory and standard office equipment such as personal computer using word, spreadsheet, database  and other related software, two-way radio,  euthanasia equipment, animal restraint equipment, and cash register.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle. 
• Ability to work with highly toxic and corrosive materials.

Additional Information

OPEN REQUIREMENTS:

• One year of education and/or experience in an animal field, medical field, or customer service field.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

• Euthanasia Technician Certification must be obtained prior to completion of probation and must be maintained.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license during employment in this class.
• Must qualify for, obtain, and maintain a City of Jacksonville public driver certification for employment in this class.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• The probationary period for this class is six months.

• This classification performs safety-sensitive functions and is subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville’s Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401).

ACPS is part of the City of Jacksonville’s emergency response operations.

When pet friendly emergency shelters are open, all full-time employees are required to report and carry out duties as assigned for the duration of the emergency.

Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.




A FULLY COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION IS REQUIRED. Apply atwww.jacksonville.gov. Work history is required for all employment/volunteer work in which qualifications are being based.

When meeting/basing qualifications on education, a copy of your college transcript, with your social blacked out, is required with your application.

Transcripts do not need to be official, but must state your name, the school’s name, classes taken, grades received, type of degree, and date degree was conferred.

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Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and the family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements, in employment and are encouraged to apply for positions being filled.If claiming veteran's preference, you must attach a DD-214 (Member Form-4 copy) or military discharge papers, or equivalent certification from the Department of Veterans Affairs listing military status, dates of service and character of discharge.

You must also attach the Veterans Preference Certification Form and if applicable, the additional forms as noted here: http://www.coj.net/departments/employee-services/veterans-preferenceIf a candidate believes he or she was not afforded veteran’s preference, he or she may file a written complaint, within 60 calendar days upon receipt of notification of the hiring decision, requesting an investigation to:Florida Department of Veterans AffairsAttention: Veterans’ Preference Coordinator11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311-KLargo, FL 33778-1630Email:VeteransPreference@fdva.state.fl.us