Senior Animal Health Technician

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Operations Manager, responsible for providing paraprofessional health care to animals within the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter, by administering medical care to the animals, providing supervision to Animal Health Technicians and supporting the Animal Care and Animal Behavior teams. Level II of II in Animal Health Technicians.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

• Provides health care to all shelter animals including vaccinating, de-worming, weighing and photographing, performs diagnostic tests, administers medications, performs euthanasia, monitors rabies quarantine animals, and assists the veterinarian with surgical procedures

• Logs medications, including controlled substances, in required logs and records

• Assists with delegation and monitoring of Animal Health Technician tasks, and provides disciplinary actions under guidance of the Operations Manager

• Supervises, trains, directs, and provides feedback on daily tasks of Animal Health Technicians, Volunteers and Community Service workers, and assists as needed

• Assists veterinarian with examinations and medical procedures, including spay/neuter surgeries, microchipping, and performs medical treatments as directed

• Prepares animals for surgery, administers medication, and monitors animal vitals through the surgery and recovery process, and sanitizes surgical instruments

• Communicates post-surgery and medical instructions to fosters and new adopters

• Cleans and sanitizes the surgery room, recovery kennels and tech rooms

• Utilizes shelter software to maintain information about animals, including medical histories

• Determines disposition on all animals, handles fractious animals, and assigns handling difficulty levels based on behavior and medical conditions

• Assists the Operations Manager with ensuring shelter compliance with state laws regarding animals shelters and bite quarantine

• Oversees the overall movement of animals within the shelter

• Assists Operations Manager and Veterinarian in coordinating microchip, vaccination and community cat spay/neuter clinics offered to the public

• Identifies animals that are candidates for outside rescue organizations or foster care

• Makes operational decisions in absence of the Operations Manager

• Transports animals to other facilities as needed

• Follows all safety measures and policies, including proper animal restraints and reading animal behavioral cues, and promptly reports any safety incidents to leadership

• Performs clerical and customer service duties related to the intake and processing of animals for impoundment, adoption and redemption

• Ensures building security upon opening and closing, cash security, and maintains accurate inventory of medical supplies, re-stocking as necessary

• Performs special duties as assigned

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports directly to

• Operations Manager

• Direct Reports

• Yes, Animal Health Technicians, volunteers and interns

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Position involves prolonged standing, walking, twisting, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and other fine motor repetitive motions

• Position requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine motor coordination

• Position involves lifting and carrying of animals and equipment weighing up to fifty (50) pounds, or up to one hundred (100) pounds with assistance, and exertion of up to twenty-five (25) pounds of force to move objects

• Ability to hear and/or see alert cues regarding animal and staff security

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned environment

• May work outside in inclement weather

• Frequent handling of animals, including contact with waste and blood

• Exposure to unpleasant smells and a noisy and wet environment associated with a shelter

• Exposure to gas anesthetic

• Frequent exposure to animals that are agitated or injured that may attempt to bite or scratch

IRREGULAR HOURS

• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays is a schedule requirement

• Essential personnel for emergency situations; discretion of department director

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma and two (2) years of Veterinary Technician experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

• One (1) year of demonstrated lead or supervisory experience

• Knowledge of animal health and well-being, including nutritional needs, common animal diseases and behavioral issues, proper and safe handling and restraints, caring for sick/injured/fractious animals, and pharmaceuticals commonly used in treatment of animal conditions

• Ability to identify signs and symptoms of animal illnesses, injuries, and behavioral issues, draw blood from animals, perform injections, administer medications, and perform basic veterinary testing procedures

• Euthanasia certification

• Demonstrated customer service and professional communication skills

• Ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced environment

• Maintain a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required within thirty (30) days of employment

• Valid driver's license

Required within 120 days (4 months) of employment

• Euthanasia certificate

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Associates degree in a related field

• Two (2) years of animal welfare experience

• Advanced knowledge of dog and cat body language cues

• Licensed Veterinary Technician

EMPLOYMENT TESTING

Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:

• Criminal background check: Yes

• Motor Vehicle Record check: Yes

• Drug screening: Yes

• Physical exam: No

• Psychological exam: No

• Additional: N/A

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

A Williamson County online application (resumes alone are not sufficient) must be received before the position is closed. Positions are open until filled, subject to close at any time after five (5) business days. The Human Resources Department is located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626. Phone (512) 943-1533 or visit our website at www.wilco.org/hr.

Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.

TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE POLICY

Williamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco and non-tobacco products such as vapor, e-cigarettes and the use of chewing tobacco or like products is prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.