Kennel Worker

Salary: $15.00 – $18.00 Hourly

Location : Brooksville, FL

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 14030

Department: Community Services

Division: Animal Services

Opening Date: 09/25/2023

Closing Date: 10/2/2023 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: TEAM

Description
Work involves maintaining kennels, feeding and caring for impounded animals, euthanasia of animals, and customer service.

Examples of Duties

• Maintains the kennel and corral including cleaning, disinfecting, and minor repairs and improvements.
• Impounds animals brought into the shelter by citizens.
• Cares for impounded animals, including domestic animals, livestock, and exotic animals.
• Checks animals for health and safety and makes appropriate decisions based on the findings.
• Makes every effort to locate the owners of stray animals through all available methods.
• Determines which animals are to be euthanized and performs euthanasia.
• Follows proper safety procedures to ensure security over controlled substances.
• Provides customer service and education to all citizens visiting the animal shelter.
• Determines which animals are adoptable and matches prospective adopters and animals.
• Screens potential adopters through the use of adoption applications.
• Prepares animals for adoption by testing for heartworms, administering vaccinations, and deworming.
• Prepares paperwork relating to impounding animals, adoptions, and other kennel functions and enters data into the computer system.
• Participates in special events, such as pet pageants, to promote a positive public image and to attract potential adopters.
• Feeds and cares for impounded animals on holidays, weekends.
• Assists with emergency calls, calls involving large number of animals, calls requiring additional personnel in the field, and other calls as directed by management personnel.
• Other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED).
• Minimum of 6 months experience working with animals in a municipal shelter environment.

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License and be insurable by the current insurance carrier.
• Satisfactorily complete the State required euthanasia certification course within one year of employment.
• Attend continuing education as required to maintain certification and as directed by management personnel.
• Satisfactorily complete other training as required by management.

Special Requirements

• County employees are required to report for work during a state of emergency and are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations which may include duties other than those specified in this job description.
• This position is subject to Rabies Pre-exposure Vaccine and Hepatitis B Vaccine

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of
  • animal care and illnesses.
  • animal handling equipment.
  • animal care safety and sanitation procedures.
  • animal behavior, care, and impoundment procedures.
• Ability to
  • establish and maintain working relationships with the public, volunteers, rescue groups and fellow employees.
  • communicate effectively using written and verbal skills.
  • deal with high stress situations and maintain emotional stability.

Supplemental Information

Equipment Used

Personal computer, medical equipment, electronic weight scale and other office equipment. Euthanasia equipment and chemicals, cleaning and disinfecting chemicals, animal handling equipment, automobile, pressure washer, basic tools, industrial back support, rubber boots, gloves, personal protective equipment.

Environmental Conditions

Works in close contact with dogs, cats and other animals, some are which are aggressive diseased. Work environmental includes strong animal urine and feces smells, and the presence of fleas, ticks and other parasites. Works within areas where animal euthanasia occurs, and deceased animals are stored.

Physical Demands

Must be able to physically control highly active/aggressive animals, potentially weighing more than 80 pounds, using available equipment. Ability to lift to 50 pounds, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel, reach and climb frequently. Ability to communicate effectively using speaking, hearing, writing, and vision skills.

Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected characteristic as defined by law.

Hernando County is a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to drug testing in accordance with Federal and Florida State Law.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must provide notification to the BOCC in advance to allow sufficient time to provide an accommodation.

Join our team!

Our benefits are designed to enhance your work and life balance, as well as the community we serve.

Hernando County offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees including health care, dental, vision, Florida Retirement System (FRS), voluntary deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and paid time off plans.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page:

01

What is your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate
• Technical School

02

Do you have knowledge of animal care and illnesses?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have knowledge of animal handling equipment?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have knowledge of the safety and sanitation procedures concerning the equipment used for animal control?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have the ability to deal with citizens in a professional and courteous manner?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you have the ability to deal with high stress situations and maintain emotional stability?

• Yes
• No

07

Are you willing to complete the State required Euthanasia certification course within one (1) year of employment?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you possess a valid Florida Driver’s License in good standing?

• Yes
• No

Required Question