Animal Caretaker I

DuPage County Animal Services

Job Description

Salary $45,000.00 - $50,000.00 Annually
Job Number: 24-00035
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with varying start times on Monday and Thursdays & every other Saturday & Sunday 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. with alternating weekdays off prior to and following the weekend worked. Will include some holidays.

POSITION SUMMARY
We are pleased to offer the current job opportunity for an Animal Caretaker I position in the Animal Services Department. DuPage County Animal Services is an immediate open admission shelter caring for more than 2,000 animals of varying species annually. The Animal Caretaker I position is part of the larger Animal Care team.

DuPage County is an equal employer
Responsibilities include:
Provides care for dogs, cats and any other types of animals accepted into the shelter
Prepares and administers diets, adding supplements
Inoculates for airborne diseases
Identifies and treats basic shelter illnesses
Determines need for isolation of animals
Administers medications in general
Injects microchips
Maintains inventory
Performs formal behavior evaluations
Provides input on potential animal outcomes - adoption, rescued, fostered or euthanized
Assists the veterinarian with surgery preparation and post-operative care
Operates autoclave machine to sterilize surgical instruments
Observes and reports animals for abnormalities and illness
Determines if animal is in emergency need of a veterinarian
Cleans and disinfects cages and other animal enclosures, exam room, garage and office
Answers questions from the public
Facilitates the delivery of animal behavior programs
Provides daily enrichment both in-kennel and out-of-kennel
Provides adoption counseling and post-adopt follow up
Facilitate canine play groups
Training of shelter animals in order to increase adoptability and implement behavior modification where indicated
Provides support and direction to volunteers
Assists in creating marketing collateral for animal promotions
Performs humane euthanasia and provides end of life comfort care
Assists in maintaining records on each animal

REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Completion of a High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma equivalent
One (1) year of animal science or related course work
Two (2) years of experience working in an animal shelter or veterinary hospital
Credit to meet these qualifications will be granted to former interns of DCAS
Ability to obtain certification as a Euthanasia Technician within one (1) year of hire
A pre-employment background check is required.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Use of arm and /or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than for medium work.

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

The work environment for this position regularly includes working with loud animals, on concrete floors and being exposed to unfavorable odors. Will be subject to animal bites and/or scratches.

This is a full time job