Animal Rescue Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Overview

Performs duties coordinating the selection and placement of animals with rescue groups, foster families, and pet adoptions in accordance with standard operating procedures.  Responsible for developing, implementing and coordinating animal rescue programming.

Starting Salary

$36,732 - $47,756

Benefits

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Core Competencies

• Customer Commitment - Proactively seeks to understand the needs of the customers and provide the highest standards of service.
• Dedication to Professionalism and Integrity - Demonstrates and promotes fair, honest, professional and ethical behaviors that establishes trust throughout the organization and with the public we serve.
• Organizational Excellence - Takes ownership for excellence through one's personal effectiveness and dedication to the continuous improvement of our operations.
• Success through Teamwork - Collaborates and builds partnerships through trust and the open exchange of diverse ideas and perspectives to achieve organizational goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Note: The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Depending on assigned area of responsibility, incumbents in the position may perform some or all of the activities described below. 

• Identifies animals requiring placement in approved temporary foster homes and/or rescue partners. 
• Manages the foster and rescue partner databases ensuring that such data is always accurate and up to date. 
• Approves all new requests for foster/rescue partners.
• Coordinates and enters data for third party background checks on foster/rescue partners.
• Conducts home visits of new foster homes and rescue locations as needed. 
• Coordinates the selection, placement and pickup of animals by animal rescue/foster partners.
• Follows up with foster homes regularly to verify pet progress, upcoming appointments and general pet health. 
• Follows up with rescue partners ensuring required vet care has occurred. 
• Schedules and hosts foster orientations for the community. 
• Performs new foster parent trainings. 
• Develops and updates the rescue/foster standard operating procedures and new hire training programs. 
• Develops new relationships with other humane agencies. 
• Works with regional partners to increase live saving capabilities.  Performs related administrative duties in the execution and monitoring of the rescue/foster programs.
• Serves as a member of the department's Evaluation Team to review all animals that have been identified as requiring additional follow up, up to and including making euthanasia decisions.  
• Supports the department in mandated ESF-17 (Emergency Support Function 17) responsibilities in the event of a disaster or during an activation of the County's Emergency Operations Center. 
• Attends meetings and events on behalf of the department as required.
• Perform Humane Euthanasia as needed.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Specifications

• Knowledge of animal related medical conditions and understands the importance of infectious disease control and Zoonotic diseases.
• Knowledge of care and humane treatment of animals. 
• Knowledge of animal diseases and health requirements. 
• Knowledge of accepted practices in the treatment, restraint and handling of animals. 
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to work effectively with others. 
• Ability to collect, organize and evaluate information and present conclusions. 
• Ability to use a computer and related software. 
• Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision and sometimes under stressful situations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability and willingness to handle both dogs and cats.
• Ability and willingness to work outside in heat, cold and sometimes light rain. 
• Ability and willingness to stand, lift and bend for extended period of time. 
• Ability to work under stressful conditions. 
• Ability to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Position may require frequent travel.
• Must be able to work with and around toxic chemicals which may emit strong odors or require PPE. 
• Must be able to work with potentially dangerous or sick animals.

Work Category

• Medium work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Graduation from high school or possession of a GED certificate; AND
• Three years of experience working as a rescue or foster coordinator or veterinary technician with animal shelter experience at a shelter with an annual intake greater than 10,000; OR
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above; AND
• Possession of a valid Florida Driver's License.

Additional Requirements

• Must complete a 16 hour training and obtain a State of Florida Euthanasia Certificate within 6 months of acquiring the position. 

Emergency Management Responsibilities

In the event of an emergency or disaster, an employee may be required to respond promptly to duties and responsibilities as assigned by the employee's department, the County's Office of Emergency Management, or County Administration. Such assignments may be for before, during or after the emergency/disaster.

Additional Job Requirements

A department, depending on the nature of its mission and operations, may require that employees in all or certain positions in this job classification:

1. Maintain the ability to pass the background checks required for the position. These background checks may include but are not limited to: 

• Criminal History Background Check using Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
• Level 1 and Level 2 Background screening (Ch. 435 Florida Statutes)
• Child Abuse, Abandonment and Neglect Record Check using the State Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) 
• Sex Offender and Sexual Predator record check using the list maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)

         2. Possess the necessary job-related license(s) or certification(s).