Job Description
This job classification has been designated as a safety sensitive job classification in accordance with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act, 63 O.S., § 427.1 et seq., (OSCN 2019), effective August 29, 2019. This means employees in this job classification can be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination if they test positive for marijuana components or metabolites, even if they possess a medical marijuana license.
PLEASE READ DISQUALIFIERS BEFORE APPLYING
Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent. Two years of experience working with small animals.
License: Valid Oklahoma driver’s license and satisfactory driving record. Notary public preferred.
Knowledge: First aid for animals; animal breed characteristics and temperament. Basic animal health signs. Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals. Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. Proper care and characteristics of animals including proper handling procedures.
Skills: Basic computer skills. Excellent verbal and written skills in English are required, bilingual preferred. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills necessary to be pleasant and helpful to citizens while performing duties.
Essential Functions: Aid in adoption decisions by providing public with basic breed information, traits and requirements. Develop the resources to evaluate animals suitable for adoption, placement into foster care, placement into rescue, or euthanasia. Present adoptable pets at their best and work with them on basic socialization and obedience skills. Deal with substantially intricate situations involving adoptions, animal care and euthanasia and assist with making decisions concerning the health and welfare of shelter animals. Keep kennel identification cards accurate and up-to-date. Notify veterinary staff of any existing or developing health problems with animals. Work with rescue groups, foster homes, volunteers, and other necessary community outreach to share our mission and promote placement of adoptable animals. Promote our City website and Adopt –A-Pet site for adoptable pets by posting updated digital photographs and descriptions of all adoptable pets. Educate adopters on appropriate pet matches for families, animal care, regulations and follow-up on adoptions to gauge its success. Design and implement outreach activities/adoption events at remote sites and conduct monthly off site adoption events. Work under stress and with commitment to deadlines. Sustain interpersonal relationships which encourage openness, candor and trust, both internally and with the general public. Complete projects and/or reports in an accurate and timely manner. Support social media channels with posts, engagement and answering questions in a positive and professional manner. Help coordinate training and maintain records on all shelter volunteers. Work to develop and execute internal as well as external involvement of volunteers with our programming including but not limited to adoptions, off-site adoptions, rescue programs, and foster programming. Administer community outreach programming with volunteers to promote a positive public image of our programming. Help staff exhaust means of reuniting pets with their owners including tracing pet licenses or rabies tags, searching lost and found notices, scanning for microchips, etc. Answer the shelter telephone and greet shelter patrons as needed. Use the computer daily for animal record keeping, animal processing, license record keeping and daily administration using the current shelter computer software. Maintain City information in a confidential manner. Ability to handle interactions with the public, often under trying situations and must be able to apply accepted protocol in dealing with irate or irrational members of the public. Occasionally assist with sanitation and cleanliness of the kennel area where animals are housed. Perform other related work as required.
Mental and Physical Abilities: Ability to apply sound judgment in interpreting, applying, and explaining department policies and procedures. Ability to deal with multiple tasks; handle large animals and scared animals. Ability to work under stressful conditions including the euthanization and cremation of animals. Ability to maintain regular, predictable and punctual attendance.
Working Conditions: Ability to lift and carry moderately heavy (25-50 lb.) materials, supplies, equipment, and animals frequently. Ability to lift (50-100 lb. animals occasionally. Work requires continued walking and stooping, exposure to loud noises and variety of odors, and ability to tolerate damp environment.
Additional Information: Final candidates will undergo an extensive background investigation and must pass a polygraph, physical examination, and drug screen.