Job Description

Livingston County was named a 2024 Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press! Based solely on employee feedback, the Top Workplace title is a badge of honor for the County. With over 700 employees serving within 18 departments, 6 elected offices, and 3 Courts, Livingston County's top priority is providing effective and efficient services that improve the quality of life for all of our residents..

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Animal Shelter Director is responsible for the cleaning of animal kennels, feeding and watering of animals, moving animals or bringing them to the lobby for viewing, and handling and petting animals. Must be a compassionate and caring individual with excellent customer service and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a high stress, fast paced environment. Must have the ability to remain calm in sensitive, stressful and emotional situations. Must demonstrate trustworthiness, have problem-solving skills and great attention to detail. Must have the ability to adapt in an ever-changing environment and possess excellent time-management skills. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Must possess expert animal care knowledge and handling skills, and be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds.

Pay Rate Information:

The Kennel Assistant position is a temporary , part-time, non-union position and starting pay is $19.12/hour. This position is on our Non-Union Grade 2 Wage Scale . We currently have weekend only and weekday only positions available.

Benefits with this Position Include:

• Paid sick days accrued at 1 hour per every 30 hours worked.

Essential Job Functions:

An animal care facility can be an emotionally challenging, high-stress, rapidly changing, and high-demand environment. Feelings of grief and loss, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue are not uncommon. As such, working at LCAS requires a high degree of emotional regulation and resilience; the ability to tolerate and manage stress; adaptability to change; empathy for both animals and people; and an overall positive outlook.

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Maintains the well-being of the animals and the cleanliness of the kennels and shelter to ensure optimal health and the prevention of the spread of diseases.
2. Feeds and waters animals daily, along with cleaning and sanitizing the shelter, including during holidays and weekends.
3. Interacts with each animal to aid in socialization as well as monitoring and documenting their physical and mental health.
4. Communicates any medical changes to proper personnel and administers medicine as needed.
5. Shows animals that are available for adoption at the shelter and offsite adoption events. Provides transportation for animals to off-site adoption events.
6. Assists in the disposal of animals that have been euthanized or tested for rabies.
7. Provides assistance to the front counter as needed.
8. Tracks inventory of supplies and communicates to proper personnel when orders are needed.
9. Provides guidance to volunteers and community service personnel on the cleaning process and other procedures within the shelter.
10. Performs other duties as directed.

Animal Care Duties:

• Treats animals humanely and with respect, following the highest standards for animal care and handling.
• Completes some daily care tasks for animals as needed, including walking dogs, changing cat litter pans, feeding cats, etc.
• Follows the highest standards for preventing the spread of contagious disease.
• Work with volunteers to coordinate daily care of animals (including dog walking, enrichment, cleaning, feeding, etc.)

Mental Demands:

While performing this job, you will be regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; observe and interpret situations; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information and skills; perform repetitive work on multiple, concurrent tasks; fulfill intensive deadlines; and interact with staff, the public, volunteers and others encountered in the course of work. You will be exposed to animals' pain and suffering and must be able to handle occasional volatile situations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Requirements include the following:

• High school diploma or GED and some prior experience caring for animals in a shelter environment.
• The County, at its discretion, may consider an alternative combination of formal education and work experience.
• Michigan Vehicle Operator's License.
• General knowledge of the principles and practices of shelter kennel care and cleanliness.
• Knowledge of sanitary procedures and practices, animal behavior, observing and caring for animals, and basic office procedures.
• Ability to communicate ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with County employees, contractors to the County, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, and the public.
• Ability to assess situations, solve problems, work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and in emergency situations.
• Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications and ability to learn software used by animal control.
• Ability to attend to duties scheduled at times other than normal business hours.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

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

Work is performed in an animal kennel environment and office environment. You will be exposed to disinfectant solutions while cleaning. You will be consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens, including animal hair, dander, saliva, fecal matter, urine, zoonotic diseases, fleas and other mites or bugs. Subject to animal bites and scratches while handling animals. While performing this job, you will be required to continually walk, stand, squat, twist, and kneel, reach and grab with your hands and arms, in addition to being able to lift and move animals, materials and equipment weighing 40 lbs or more. While in the office, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person and by telephone, read regular and small print, view and produce written and electronic documents and enter data on a computer keyboard with repetitive keystrokes.

The employee must restrain and/or control aggressive animals. The noise level in the work environment may be quiet to very loud. Though applicable safety procedures are documented and utilized, the incumbent may be exposed to unsanitary or unhygienic materials, individuals and situations in the course of performing required duties.

Job Tags

Temporary work, Part time, For contractors, Work experience placement, Work at office, Weekday work,

Similar Jobs