Animal Services Technician

Thank you for your interest in our ANIMAL SERVICES TECHNICIAN position. 

 

The City of Selma is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of nearly 25,000 and is situated in the heart of California’s Central Valley.  The City provides a full-range of services to our citizens.  We are building Selma into a place of Prosperity, Unity and Strength.

To be considered for this outstanding career opportunity applicants must submit an application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills.  Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application.

PURPOSE: 
Under general supervision, cares for impounded animals; assists with animal adoption and licensing; cleans and maintains animal care facilities; and performs related work as required.
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: 
Receives technical and functional direction and training from the Animal Services Director or designee and direct or general supervision from the Animal Services Manager or designee.  No supervision of staff is exercised.
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS STATEMENT: Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees may perform the essential functions of the job.
 
Essential Functions (Illustrative Only):

• Examine captured animals for illness or injury; transport sick or injured animals to veterinarian for medical treatment.
• Quarantine animals that are known or suspected of inflicting an animal bite on a person; provide follow-up contact to ascertain if the animal is showing any signs of sickness or rabies; file report with the Health Department.
• Maintain extensive records of the number of animals taken to animal control shelter, breed and sex of the animal impounded, the location where the animal was captured, deposition of injured animals, and number of citations issued; prepare necessary reports.
• Maintain effective and productive working relationships with volunteers, animal rescue/welfare groups, other departments, and agencies to promote and increase animal adoptions.
• Feed and water animals according to schedules.
• Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions, such as diet list or schedules.
• Feed and care for impounded animals; transfer animals between pens; clean, disinfect, and maintain sanitary conditions of all ground and facilities at the animal shelter such as kennels, cages, runs, vehicles, and equipment.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs of facilities and equipment at the animal shelter.
• Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
• Bath and prepare animals that are being made available for placement; release animals using approved methods.
• Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
• Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.
• Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
• Walk through the kennel areas checking each animal individually for any abnormal behavior or activity such as vomiting, diarrhea, or blood in the cage or run.
• Remove and dispose of dead animals; assist other animal services personnel as needed, by performing various auxiliary tasks including clerical tasks.
• Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies. 
• Assist with prepping and restraining animals for vaccination or euthanasia.
• Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals and disposal of corpses. 
• Exercise animals or provide them with companionship.
• Clean cat litter boxes, disinfect all food and water bowls.
• Perform office reception duties such as scheduling appointments or helping customers/members of the public.
• Collect fees and issue receipts for licenses and other animal care/control services.
• Perform public speaking presentations concerning animal control services and answer questions related to the care and treatment of animals.
• Operate and maintain department vehicles.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

 
QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS: 
Knowledge of:

• Basic methods of animal collection, care, and disposal.
• Laws and ordinances relating to licensing, impounding, care, treatment and disposal of animals.
• Techniques and procedures for the safe, human and efficient handling of animals; various breeds of animals and their care and feeding.
• Care and feeding of domestic and wild animals.
• causes and symptoms of common animal diseases and illnesses.  Administration of vaccinations and euthanasia.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of animal capture and control.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.  Principles of basic report preparation.
• Techniques used in public relations.  Basic mathematical principles.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.  Safe driving principles and practices.

 
Ability to: 

• Learn, interpret, and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions including animal control and protection laws and regulations.
• Learn to operate necessary tools and devices to capture animals.
• Learn and use radio 10-code to communicate with dispatch.
• Learn general animal diseases to help determine the proper deposition for an animal.
• Determine the proper action to take when confronting animals who are agitated, vicious, frightened, or injured.
• Perform routine cleaning and care for animals. 
• Act quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Prepare and maintain accurate and complete records. 
• Meet and deal tactfully and effectively with the public.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Learn various techniques of safe and humane destruction of animals, such as lethal injection.
• Assist with the euthanization of dangerous, sick, or unsaveable animals, as required.
• Handle sick, injured, dangerous or dead animals and decomposing animal carcasses in a safe and humane manner.
• Work in the field and the kennel on a rotating basis. 
• Work shifts and weekends.

REQUIREMENTS:
Education and Experience: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade with one (1) year of experience in the care and handling of animals and dealing with the public.
 
Licenses and Certifications: 

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C driver's license.
• Ability to obtain a Euthanasia Certificate.

 
Physical Demands:
Ability to sit, stand, walk, run, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, twist, climb and lift 75 pounds.
 
Environmental Elements:
Exposure to extreme noise, noxious odors and outdoors; ability to travel to different sites and locations.

Salary : $44,741 - $57,117