ANIMAL HEALTH SPECIALIST (#AC6 )

$26.81-$32.27 hourly / $4,647.00-$5,593.00 monthly / $55,764.80-$67,121.60 yearly

Under the general supervision of the Animal Services Coordinator or Animal Services Shelter Manager, provides routine care, exercise, basic training and medical treatment to animals in the shelter; cares for animals and assesses them for adoptability; assists in the placement of, or provides for the humane euthanasia of shelter animals; assists veterinarians in the medical treatment of or spay or neuter of animals; assists in developing protocols and implementing programs to maintain kennels in a sanitary and disease-free condition; and performs other duties as required.

This is the journey level classification in the care of animals at the Animal Services Authority and may serve as a lead worker to less experienced animal care staff. Responsibilities include directing and carrying out the humane euthanasia of animals according to established procedures; assisting in developing and maintaining health care and sanitation programs within the animal shelter; and assessing the adoptability or redemption of animals after their required holding periods.

Assists veterinarians in providing health care to shelter animals; may assist veterinarians in performing surgery; conducts physical examination of shelter animals to make a preliminary assessment of the nature of illness or injury; takes and records temperature, pulse, and respiration; collects and labels specimens for culture or microscopic examination; administers medications and immunizations; may oversee daily medications dispensing; determines correct procedures and substances to inject for the disposal of animals and injects animals for the purpose of euthanasia; maintains inventory of all pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and supplies; maintains records and reports; oversees and provides training to Animal Care Workers, work-release inmates, and volunteers; participates in deploying protocols for maintaining sanitary kennels and shelter facilities; prepares food and feeds shelter animals; cleans kennels and helps maintain kennels and shelter facilities; receives animals and separates for observation all animals that show signs of rabies or other diseases; assists the public in claiming, obtaining, and licensing animals; exercises and provides basic training to shelter animals; maintains effective working relationships with other agencies and the public; conducts behavioral examinations of animals at the end of their required holding period to evaluate adoptability; transports animals, supplies and equipment as directed; may inject microchips into animals; and other tasks as assigned.

Working knowledge of:

• Physical and behavioral characteristics of common domestic animals and livestock;
• The proper care and handling of domestic animals;
• The physical and behavioral characteristics of domestic animals;
• Breed identification;
• The symptoms of rabies and other common animal diseases;
• The safe and accurate handling of animal care medical and euthanasia equipment;
• The various techniques of safe and humane euthanasia of animals;
• Adoption guidelines and procedures;
• Definitions and common working application of adoptability and redemption standards;
• State laws and local ordinances relating to the care, treatment, and impounding of animals;
• Methods to properly clean the areas, kennels, cages, and equipment that are the responsibility of the Animal Care group.
• May assist Animal Services Coordinator by interfacing with existing and potential foster homes.

Some knowledge of:

• Methods, techniques, medications and pharmaceuticals used in the care and treatment of domestic animals;
• Basic animal related surgical procedures in order to assist a Veterinarian.

Ability to:

• Handle animals properly and safely and perform work in a humane manner;
• Conduct euthanasia of animals by direct injection;
• Recognize symptoms of rabies and other common diseases of animals;
• Properly complete necessary forms;
• Work tactfully and effectively with co-workers, staff of other agencies working with animals, and the general public;
• With the assistance of Manager, develop and foster cooperative working relationships with veterinarians in the community;
• Vaccinate animals;
• Move heavy, immobilized or resistant animals;
• Transport animals, supplies or equipment;
• Maintain inventories of food and supplies, and advise Shelter Manager of the need to order supplies;
• Collect and record fees;
• Operate a personal computer for entering animal related data;
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers;
• Communicate effectively with animal control, and other animal services staff, other agencies, and the public, at times under stressful conditions;
• Recognize symptoms of animal-related diseases, in order to separate for observation animals showing any signs of rabies or other animal related diseases;
• Administer basic first aid;
• Handle animal carcasses;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and work experience that would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Two years of experience performing animal health care tasks for domestic animals in a veterinary office or animal shelter.

A valid Registered Veterinary Technician license issued by the California State Veterinary Medical Board may be substituted for the required experience.

Special Requirements, Conditions:

Training: Incumbent must attend and pass the Euthanasia by Injection certification course within the first six months of hire.

License: Incumbent must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License.

Hours: Availability to work a flexible schedule including weekends and/or holidays, and rotational on-call duty as required.

Lifting: Incumbent must be able to lift, push/pull or carry up to 50 lbs unassisted.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to animals who may be hostile or dangerous and exposure to animal feces and urine. Incumbents will be encouraged to undergo a pre-rabies vaccination series.

Bargaining Unit:  41
Workers Comp Code: 1073
EEOC Code:  03
Occ Unit Group:  91