Supervising Animal Care Specialist

Full Job Description

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Health and Human Services Agency. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months.

If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Health and Human Services Agency located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Requirements

For a full list of duties for this position, please click here.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education:

Experience:

• Five (5) years of hands-on experience handling, managing and caring for animals in a shelter facility, humane society, veterinary hospital, or similar agency.

Equivalencies for Experience:

Special Note: Having and/or caring for personal or family pets will not substitute for the required experience.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of supervising and training.
• Laws, rules, ordinances, and regulations governing the operation of animal shelters and impounding, releasing, and euthanasia of animals.
• Accepted safe, humane, and efficient practices of animal care and handling of various breeds of animals.
• Techniques, methods, and medications used in the treatment of animals.
• Data collection techniques and report writing.
• Domestic animal behavior assessment techniques.
• An animal shelter or veterinary facility operations.
• Proper cash handling techniques.
• Basic mathematics.
• Correct use of the English language including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Various animal breeds and their behavioral characteristics.
• Symptoms of common animal disease.
• Safe work practices related to the handling and care of animals and facilities maintenance.

Skill/Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers.
• Operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment.
• Complete multiple priority projects with strict deadlines.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and personal information.
• Attend meetings outside of regular working hours and may work on-call to respond to emergencies. Supervise, train, and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel.
• Learn, apply, and follow appropriate rules, policies, procedures, and ordinances, including those related to the licensing, adoption, quarantine, impounding, care, and treatment of animals.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Provide prompt, courteous, and responsive customer service to the public.
• Communicate clearly and concisely in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Organize work, determine priorities, exercise sound judgment, and complete multiple tasks with deadlines under stressful conditions.
• Plan and complete assignments independently.
• Accurately perform euthanasia of animals by injection as required or assigned;
• Perform unpleasant or emotionally difficult procedures such as preparing rabies test samples by disarticulation.
• Collect and review information on departmental activities.
• Exercise good judgment and self-restraint when operating in stressful situations.
• Use protective equipment as directed and trained.
• Work in a loud environment while exposed to animals, animal fluids, waste and smells, and pharmaceuticals.
• Retain and recall information.
• Lift, drag, or carry weights up to 100 pounds.

License or Certificate:

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• Must be immunized against rabies and maintain immunity for the duration of employment.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.

Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions.

An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA).

Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible.

For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

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