Animal Care Technician III

Salary: $19.74 Hourly

Location : St. Cloud, FL

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 01879

Department: Public Safety

Division: Animal Services (Kennel Operations)

Opening Date: 08/21/2023

Closing Date: Continuous

General Description of Duties

**Position subject to close at any time**

NOTE TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS: INTERNAL CANDIDATES IN THE SAME CLASSIFICATION AND/OR PAYGRADE AS THE POSITION POSTED WILL NOT RECEIVE A PAY ADJUSTMENT IF SELECTED.

*** THE SCHEDULE FOR THIS POSITION WILL VARY***

Under general supervision, the purpose of the position is to provide a safe, clean shelter with adequate food and water for animals housed in our shelter and livestock facilities because of neglect, cruelty, aggression, or stray and owner surrender. Employee functions at an advanced levelto assist citizens in the adoption of animals and with medical forms and associated paperwork. Responsible for triaging incoming animals into our facility. Conducts behavior assessments to help determine adoptability and documents observations in our database. Coordinates and engages in dog play group activities. Ensures animals at our facility are provided with daily enrichment. Position may assist with various animal services efforts and veterinary treatments/procedures as needed. Position will be assigned to Intake/Rabies Control.

Essential Job Functions
The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Provide for the general health and welfare of housed animals in the kennel including ensuring proper quality and quantity of food.
• Maintain sanitation (cleans / disinfects animal cages and equipment) of all animal holding facilities, shelters, and grounds.
• Monitors animals closely to aid in early detection of illness, injury, or changes in behavior. Immediately reports any abnormalities or changes in status to the veterinarian.
• Monitor safety and security of the holding facilities and ensure all quarantined animals are maintained in designated areas. Prevent unauthorized access to animals being held for aggression or biting, monitor animals under quarantine and immediately report any changes in medical status, behavior, or physical condition in accordance with procedures.
• Process incoming animals into the shelter by conducting a basic physical examination / evaluation of the animal, including those seized in cruelty cases, and noting any abnormalities on the veterinary examination form.
• Administer intranasal and subcutaneous vaccines, various anthelmintics, flea/tick control on dogs and cats as necessary. Conduct heartworm tests on dogs six (6) months of age or older and FeLV/FIV tests on cats as required.
• Process incoming animals into the shelter by conducting a basic physical examination / evaluation of the animal, including those seized in cruelty cases, and noting any abnormalities on the veterinary examination checklist.
• Administers medications and treatments to livestock as prescribed by the veterinarian.
• Assists in equine restraint working with a farrier and/or veterinarian.
• Handles, works with, and grooms livestock as necessary to ensure good health.
• Conducts behavior assessments and documents observations in our database.
• Coordinates and engages in dog play groups to help determine adoptability.
• Provide customer service to the public as relates to animal interaction and adoption process; complete adoption and medical forms; and advise citizens on the responsibility of animal ownership.
• Assist the public in finding lost pets by having a thorough knowledge of shelter animals and escorting owners through shelter areas.
• Assist other areas within Animal Services, as needed.
• Assists in the evaluation and care of animals seized in cruelty and dog fighting cases.
• Maintain health records and perform related administrative duties and report any issues or concerns per procedures and assist in the resolution of kennel issues.
• Maintain a working relationship with County personnel, government agencies, law enforcement, volunteers, civic groups, and the public.
• Perform euthanasia as required.
• Assist with public education including events the Department participates in and/or hosts including those outside of normal business hours.
• Transport animals to offsite locations for adoptions or medical treatment/diagnostics when needed.
• Embrace a “one team” approach to accomplish daily tasks, goals, and projects by interacting, cooperating, assisting, training, and learning from volunteers.
• When assigned to Intake/Rabies Control, the additional essential functions include:

1. Interact with the public by courteously and politely explaining animal intake policies, setting appointments for pet relinquishment, and soliciting information about animals being relinquished to ensure pet profiles are thoroughly completed.
2. Assist owners desiring to keep their pets by providing pet retention resources and information.
3. Receive and process all animals brought to the shelter by the public to include recording, inputting/updating the animal’s information into database, generate kennel card with picture.
4. Confirm and verify appropriate vaccination prior to release of animals in bite cases.
5. Communicate and coordinate with the County Health Department for quarantine of animals that have bitten or otherwise potentially exposed someone to rabies including the pick-up of deceased animals requiring rabies testing.
6. Release animals from rabies quarantine according to instructions provided by the Health Department and communicate release to staff/ advise of the need for rabies vaccination prior to discharge, if applicable.

• Perform duties as assigned/necessary which are related, or logical in assignment to the position.

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Associate Degree in a relevant field.

Experience: Must have at least five (5) years’ experience working in a veterinary clinic, boarding or animal shelter environment and demonstrated experience in ability to provide for the general welfare of animals or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training and/or experience. Some public sector experience preferred.

Miscellaneous:

• Must be inoculated against rabies upon hire.
• Must have successfully completed the euthanasia certification course.
• Must be Fear Free shelter certified.
• Must be Canine Life and Social Skills (CLASS) certified.
• Must have attended and participated in Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL).
• Must have attended and participated in an equine handling course approved by ASPCA, HSUS, or Code 3.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license.
• Ability to communicate in English is required and Spanish is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability and willingness to follow oral and written instructions.
• Broad knowledge of proper techniques utilized in the handling of animals.
• Broad knowledge of proper care, feeding and handling of various types of domestic and exotic animals, livestock, and wildlife.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of species of domestic and exotic animals, livestock and wildlife, and their habits and typical diseases (including rabies) and the symptoms.
• Knowledge of local animal code related to rabies vaccination and quarantine procedures and public health threats associated with animal services staff and citizen exposure.
• Ability to assist with animal services functions including veterinary treatments/procedures, e.g., restraining animals for vaccinations, euthanasia and perform euthanasia.
• Ability to operate County vehicles including pulling various types of trailers.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of customer service skills; ability to deal diplomatically with sensitive circumstances.
• Ability to render quick, responsible decision making, under stressful and emotional circumstances.
• Ability to operate basic office equipment, e.g., computer terminals, printers, copy machines, telephone systems, facsimile machines.
• Ability to read, update and maintain various records and files; ability to access, operate and maintain various software applications.
• Skill in clearly communicating information both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and comprehend written materials (e.g., emails, correspondence, instructions, memos, reports, regulations, policies) to apply information and determine appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communications with County government agencies, laws enforcement, volunteers, civic groups, and the public and to assist with the public education program.

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:
Physical Demand: Medium
– 50 pounds maximum lifting.
– Frequent (up to 2/3 of the work time) lifting, carrying up to 50 lbs.
– Expressing or exchanging ideas by spoken word or perceiving sound by ear.
– Good eyesight for production or safety of self and others.
– Physical demand requirements are more than medium work.
– Requires physical ability in lifting animals.
– Physical agility is required in kneeling, bending, stooping, and reaching.

Osceola County offers a comprehensive benefits package to fit the needs of our employees and their families. Following is a snapshot of our core benefits.

Medical and Dental Insurance at no cost to the employee. In addition, the County contributes 83% to the dependent(s) premium coverage. Department Heads are eligible for Medical and Dental insurance coverage on the first date of employment.

Group Health/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
Coverage
Deductions Per Paycheck
(26 Paychecks)
Employee Employee + 1 Family Health-HRA Base $0.00 $102.38 $159.25 Health-HRA Buy-Up $31.57 $138.89 $216.06 Dental Base $0.00 $11.99 $22.08 Dental Buy-Up $3.16 $18.14 $30.75 Vision $3.42 $6.84 $9.15 Short-Term Disability $0.00 N/A N/A Long-Term Disability $0.00 N/A N/A

County’s Contribution to the Medical Plan:

Coverage
Tier Annual
Contribution HRA Base Employee $9,807.72 HRA Base Emp+1 $15,091.96 HRA Base Family $22,921.08 Coverage
Tier Annual
Contribution HRA Buy-Up Employee $9,436.70 HRA Buy-Up Emp+1 $14,952.34 HRA Buy-Up Family $22,703.72

Medical Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): The County contributes $500 per employee or $1,000 for employee plus dependents, for medical and prescription-related expenses.

State-of-the-Art Employee Wellness Center: The County provides a private health center for County Employees and eligible dependents. The Employee Wellness Center offers an array of primary care services, including sick visits, enhanced by x-ray services, pulmonary tests, lab work, and a dispensary offering over 200 generic medications onsite. Services at the Wellness Center are offered at no cost to the employees and their eligible dependents.

• Employees who are enrolled on the County’s Medical plan have access to the Employee Wellness Center on day one of employment. The Wellness Center is available to patients 8 years of age and older.

Basic Life Insurance Policy: At no cost to the employee, equal to one time the employee’s annual salary, rounded to the next thousand dollars. Employees can opt to buy additional Life Insurance.

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability: At no cost to the employee. The County offers Short-Term and Long-Term Disability at 60% of the employee’s weekly base salary. The employee has the option to purchase an additional 10% coverage.

Membership in the Florida Retirement System: This benefit cannot be easily matched by a traditional 401k plan. Current County contributions are:
• Regular Class – 11.91%
• Special Risk – 27.83%
• Senior Management – 31.57%

The Florida Retirement System (FRS) offers two retirement plans – the Investment Plan and the Pension Plan. Both plans are subject to a mandatory 3% employee contribution.

457b Deferred Compensation Program is also available to help employees boost their retirement saving goals, with pre-tax and post-tax contributions, as well as IRA plan options.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): EAP provides confidential counseling and referral services to employees and their family membersat no cost.

Employee Wellness Program promotes various activities to encourage total well-being including physical, emotional, and financial health. Rewards can be earned.

Gym Membership Reimbursement up to $20.00 per month.

Vacation and Sick Leave accruals as follows:

Vacation Accruals Per Month 1 month to 5 years 8 hours 5 years and 1 month to 10 years 10 hours 10 years and 1 month to 15 years 12 hours 15 years and 1 month to 20 years 13.34 hours 20 years and over 16.66 hours
Sick Leave Accruals Per Month Full-time Employees 8 hours Part-time Employees 4 hours
11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday (to be chosen by the Employee)

• New Year’s Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Thanksgiving-Day After
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day

Paid Bereavement Leave:Up to three (3) working days off with pay if funeral or memorial services are less than 200 miles from Kissimmee and up to five (5) working days off with pay if funeral or memorial services are more than 200 miles from Kissimmee.

40 hours of Administrative Leave per fiscal year for Exempt employees.

Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $1,600 per Calendar Year, for degree-seeking employees. The degree must be related to the employee’s position.

Employee Recognition Program: Monetary rewards are available.

Sick Leave Bank: Available to employees experiencing a catastrophic medical-related event, with up to 240 hours, per fiscal year. Enrollment required.

01

Do you possess an Associate Degree in a related field? If so, please list the major/concentration. If no, list N/A.

02

Briefly explain and list your years of experience working in a veterinary clinic, boarding or animal shelter environment. (Experience must be demonstrated in the “Work Experience” section of the application.) If none, list N/A.

03

What is your professional experience with taking proper care, feeding and handling of various types of domestic and exotic animals, livestock and wildlife? (Experience must be demonstrated in the “Work Experience” section of the application.) If none, list N/A.

04

Do you have the ability to be inoculated against rabies upon hire?

• Yes
• No

05

Select the required licenses/certifications you currently possess:

• Euthanasia Certification
• Canine Life and Social Skills (CLASS) Certification
• Dogs Playing for Life (DPFL).
• Equine handling course approved by ASPCA, HSUS, or Code 3
• Fear Free Shelter Certification
• None of the Above

06

Did you upload the required certifications? (Please note that your application will not be considered if the required certifications are not uploaded at the time of application. If you are experiencing difficulty, contact hrcruitment@osceola.org prior to the position closing date.)

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess a valid Driver’s License? If so, from what State?

Required Question