Animal shelter technician
Location
Hillsboro, OR | United States
Job description
THE POSITION
Washington County Animal Services is hiring an Animal Shelter Technician II !
Please join us in our mission to provide a safe haven for animals in transition, protect animals from harm, and provide tools to the residents of our County to live safely, responsibly and respectfully with animals. If you have considered creating a career in the public sector within a municipal animal shelter, we believe your talents and passion for animal welfare will bring value to services we provide in Washington County, Oregon, as well as the collaborative efforts we make with community partners throughout the Portland metropolitan area to ensure that everything we can do to prevent animals from needing our shelter is just as important as providing excellent care and help to the animals that are in our care.
To learn more
About the Opportunity: Our Animal Shelter Technicians receive stray pets from the people that have found them. In this role, you will provide daily care for all animals in the shelter. Primary duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Receive primarily dogs and cats admitted to the shelter. Weigh and observe animals to detect signs of illness, disease, or injury. Place animals in kennels and maintain impound and care records using specialized shelter software.
- Prepare food and feed animals according to schedules and feeding instructions. Provide drinking water for animals in the animal shelter.
- Maintain records on animals such as size, weight, and physical condition, as well as feedings, treatments, medications, and provided care.
- Perform basic animal grooming duties, such as bathing and brushing.
- Clean and organize animal shelter facilities, including cleaning and disinfecting shelter kennels and floors & equipment, organizing shelter equipment, doing laundry, and washing dishes.
- Respond to questions and inquiries from citizens regarding lost and found pets in the community. Assist citizens visiting the shelter to help facilitate the redemption of dogs and cats by their owners.
- Perform humane euthanasia. Remove and properly dispose of deceased animals. Maintain euthanasia records and records of used controlled substances.
- Handle, control, examine, and administer routine vaccinations and/or oral medications prescribed by the shelter veterinarian.
- Maintain supply or equipment needs.
- Provide daily care of the shelter animals in accordance with established guidelines and protocols and complete behavioral assessments on animals to help determine their social needs.
- Work collaboratively with non-profit rescue groups and transfer partners to facilitate transfers of adoptable pets and provide assistance to the public in a multitude of ways including but not limited to reuniting lost pets with their families.
Who we are looking for: The ideal candidate in this role will have experience caring for and handling animals in stressful situations and environments and have the ability to remain calm and rational in routine and non-routine situations. In addition, the candidate will have the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals and groups who come from diverse backgrounds and represent members of the public, coworkers, and/or vendors as well as provide outstanding customer service.
We are also currently recruiting for Animal Shelter Technician I , an entry- level position, as well (Job# 23/24-143-HHS-1). If you are interested in being considered for both positions, you must submit separate applications to each posting .
Why Washington County? Are you interested in challenging, meaningful, and rewarding work? Join Washington County in our commitment to advancing racial equity. Our Board of Commissioners worked closely with various community stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop an
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Resolution . Adopted in February 2020, this resolution commits to the equitable delivery of Washington County’s services, resources, and opportunities for growth and development to every county resident.
Check Out Our Award-Winning Benefits & Wellness Program on the "Benefits" tab above!
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Classification descriptions are typically written broadly. To review these classifications, please use these links : Animal Shelter Technician II .
The Animal Shelter Technician II is the journey and second level of a two-level classification series. Positions in this classification are f lexibly staffed from the Animal Shelter Technician I or when filled from other sources and require experience in Animal Care at the journey level. Employees demonstrate proficiency in the full scope of duties and decide when and how to apply established procedures.
The Animal Shelter Technician II is distinguished from the Animal Shelter Technician I by the demonstration of journey-level skill proficiency, the level of supervision received, and the nature and variety of duties. This position may provide functional guidance and training to an entry-level Animal Shelter Technician I and shelter volunteers.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
Must meet one of the following criteria in order to be considered for the position.
- Two (2) years of professional experience in the care, handling, or training of animals in a kennel, veterinary office, animal clinic, or related setting; OR
- One (1) year of professional experience in the care, handling, or training of animals in a kennel, veterinary office, animal clinic, or related setting; AND completion of at least one (1) year of technical training in veterinary assistance or a related program.
Additional Licenses, Certificates, Physical Abilities, and Specialty Requirements: - Possession of a Driver's license valid in the State of Oregon and an acceptable driving record is required upon appointment. To review the Driver's License and Record Policy for Washington County
- Certification as a Euthanasia Technician is required within six (6) months of appointment.
- Passing a background check post offer is required.
- Must be able to pass a post-offer physical abilities assessment including the drug screening prior to appointment.
- For more information on the physical requirements, please visit the Job Task Analysis .
Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment application about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your supplemental question responses if applicable.
Please note: Answers to the supplemental questions are typically evaluated
separately from your application.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Washington County is committed to using a Merit-based System in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Our commitment to you:
Washington County values a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work-life harmony. We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our diverse community. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity and an inclusive workforce. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Selection Process: - Apply today! In lieu of a resume, we ask that you complete and submit an online application, which will be used to screen for minimum qualifications (MQs) and to determine starting pay in accordance with the provision of the Oregon Equal Pay Law.
- MQ Review: Human Resources will screen applications for MQs beginning the week after the posting closes. Your responses to the supplemental questions may be evaluated for additional preferred qualifications screening depending on the number of applications received.
- Panel Interview(s): Generally, the top 6 – 8 candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview.
- Conditional Offer : A final candidate is required to successfully clear a third party background check, driving record check, and physical abilities assessment including the drug screening as a pre-employment condition.
Please note: candidates that are successful in the evaluation process may have their applications referred for additional vacancies in the same classification, or job family.
Status of Your Application: You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. Please note that Washington County communicates with all candidates via email. If you "opt out" or "unsubscribe" from email notifications from NEOGOV it will impact our ability to communicate with you about job postings.
Veterans' Preference If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this recruitment, please review the instructions using this link:
Veterans' Preference Points . Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or e-mail:
[email protected] at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.
Questions (?) Regarding This Recruitment Yeji Seo, Talent Acquisition Business Partner
[email protected] Additional Resources: New to GovernmentJobs.com?
- Visit for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on the application process.
- For technical support, contact Government Jobs' Live Application Support at 855-524-5627.
* Washington County is a drug-free workplace *
This is a non-represented position and is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Regular and limited duration full-time employees working 30 hours or more per week and job share employees are eligible for benefits beginning on the first of the month following employment. Job share employees are responsible for 50% of the premium. Part-time regular, variable hour, and temporary positions are not eligible for medical, dental, and vision benefits.
Check Out Our Award-Winning Benefits & Wellness Program!
Washington County values your dedication to lead the future of our community through public service. Our total compensation package, which is comprised of more than just your annual salary, was built to show our commitment to the physical and financial health and wellbeing of you and your family. Your total compensation package includes a comprehensive benefits program with medical, dental, and vision coverage at up to 95% employer paid ! Other benefits you’ll enjoy as part of your total compensation package include:
- Paid Time Off - 11 paid holidays including one floating holiday, 12 vacation days for new employees (accrual rates increase based on length of service), AND up to 96 hours of sick leave per year (unused sick leave accumulates from year to year without limit to provide pay and security if needed).
- Wellness Program - Washington County has been named one of Oregon’s Healthiest Employers by the Portland Business Journal for the past 7 years. We are proud to receive this award and will continue to make your health and wellbeing a priority by providing resources and support to help you and your family live and work well. Resources include smoking cessation, weight management, and stress management classes (online or telephonic with a personal health coach); discounts on gym memberships, fitness activities, and sports tickets; and Health & Wellness events and onsite flu shot clinics.
- Alternative Care Coverage
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Life and Disability Insurance (both County-provided and voluntary)
- Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
- 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
- Emergency Travel Assistance
- TriMet Hop Card at no cost to the employee
- Bike lockers and repair stations
- A charitable giving program
- Oregon College Savings Plan
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