Kennel Cleaning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Vector Control - 10521 Baur Blvd, St. Louis MO 63132, MO
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2022-00223
Department: Public Health
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/10/2026 11:59 PM Central
Description
The rate of pay starts at $20.65 per hour contingent on experience and budget considerations.
In this position you will be providing a valued service, by assuring public health and safety by limiting public exposure to stray, diseased or aggressive animals by patrolling the community, assisting veterinarian with treatments, and providing technical expertise in related areas. This role is a vital part of our shelter operations, with a strong emphasis on hands-on kennel care. As an ACO (Kennel Staff), your primary focus will be on ensuring the cleanliness, safety, and well-being of all animals housed within our facility. While this position is kennel-centered, the individual may occasionally be called upon to support general field or shelter-based Animal Control Officer duties.
The animal shelter operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day including weekends and holidays. The positions could work any of the following shifts or any new shift created: 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. - 7:30 a.m. (on call, routing shift weekly)
Shifts do include working in the kennel, cleaning and care for the animals.
As an employer, St. Louis County cares about the health and well-being of our employees. In an effort to provide for the best possible work-life balance, the County offers a generous benefit package which includes affordable health insurance, dental and vision coverage, 4 weeks of Paid Time Off the first year, 11 paid holidays, deferred benefit retirement plan, paid life insurance as well as short and long term disability. A full listing of benefits is available here:
Please note, this position is open continuously. We will keep applications active for six months.
Examples of Duties
Provide safety to the community and animals by patrolling neighborhoods for stray, diseased or aggressive animals, giving technical expertise to animal owners and providing general welfare for animals in kennels.
Assure public health by promoting vaccination of animals in accordance with County Ordinances.
Investigating animal related complaints, bite case, and animal abuse or neglect.
Kennel duties such as cleaning cages and caring for the animals needs.
Feeding and watering animals.
Educating residents on County ordinances and issuing notices for non-compliance.
Assist the veterinarian in administering medications, microchips, immunizations and preparing specimen for rabies testing.
Perform such additional duties, with the required abilities and under the indicated working conditions and environment, as may properly be required of a position in this job class.
Additional Duties to This Role Include:
Complete and maintain hourly kennel checklists to ensure animals have proper food, water, and clean living spaces.
Perform daily cleaning and disinfecting of kennels, holding areas, and general animal care facilities.
Conduct routine wellness checks and immediately report health or behavioral concerns to the veterinary or population management team.
Provide enrichment, exercise, and care through dog walking, playtime, and safe socialization practices.
Assist in feeding, grooming, and basic handling of animals in accordance with shelter protocols.
Support intake processes by assisting with proper kennel placement, labeling, and animal documentation.
Participate in shelter inventory, restocking supplies, and monitoring cleaning materials for safety compliance.
Serve as a support resource for volunteers and guide them on appropriate kennel handling procedures.
Support broader ACO responsibilities including assisting with transports, animal retrievals, and other shelter support tasks as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
One year of experience working with a variety of predominantly domestic animals; or any equivalent training and experience.
Possession of a valid driver's license
WORKING CONDITIONS: Balance, bend/twist at waist, climb or work on ladders and stairs; kneel, lift, push/pull, reach above shoulders, squat, stand/walk for long periods; work out of doors in extreme temperatures. Ability to lift 100 lbs.
Additional Information
SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT: A selection committee will evaluate the qualifications of each applicant which will include recentness and appropriateness of the applicant's education and experience, answers to the supplemental questions, results of employment references investigated and any other appropriate information available. The selection committee will admit to the interview only those persons who possess the most job-related qualifications and may establish admittance criteria beyond the minimum qualifications stated above. The interview will comprise 100% of the applicant's earned grade. A candidate must earn a qualifying grade of 70 or more on the interview to be eligible for appointment. After initial interviews with the selected candidates are conducted, an email will be sent to the address on file with instructions on how to complete and submit a Conviction Questionnaire. Candidates have 3 days to complete the required questionnaire. The five top ranking candidates, based on the final grade, will be certified to the Department Director/Appointing Authority who will make the final decision.
All applicants conditionally offered a merit position will be required to submit to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Screening will be performed by a reputable clinical laboratory. The cost of screening will be covered by the County.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY: In support of commitment to the health, safety, and wellness of all staff and to be compliant with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) it is the policy of the Department of Public Health that all newly hired employees are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Acceptable forms of proof include CDC COVID-19 vaccination cards (or legible photo), documentation from a health care provider, electronic health record, or state immunization information system record. New employees must be fully vaccinated prior to starting service for the Department, and adherence to this policy is a condition of employment. Full vaccination means having received a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) approved vaccine or vaccine series, consisting of two doses of either of the two-dose vaccines or one dose of the single-dose vaccine. For moderately or severely immunocompromised individuals, a primary series consists of a 3-dose series of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or a single dose of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine. At this time, full vaccination does not require a booster shot. The meaning of "fully vaccinated" is subject to change in accordance with the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. For applicants with a to the vaccine or sincerely held religious beliefs, which prohibit them from receiving a vaccine, you may contact the Department of Public Health Office of Human Resources (DPH HR) during the hiring phase to request an exemption or reasonable accommodation. Employees granted exemption for medical or religious reasons will be required to wear facial coverings to reduce the risk of transmission to at-risk individuals in DPH facilities and submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. All prospective employees must read and acknowledge the Policy during the application process.
HOW TO APPLY: Applicants interested in applying for this position should visit our website at We only accept On-line applications.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY: The policy of the Civil Service Commission of St. Louis County is to support fair and equitable employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veterans' status or political affiliation. Call the Division of Personnel at (314) 615-5429 for more information on this policy.
St. Louis County
Division of Personnel, 7th FloorClayton, MO 63105
(314) 615-5429
Relay MO 711 or 800-735-2966
An Equal Opportunity EmployerFax: (314) 615-7703
www.stlouiscountymo.gov
St. Louis County offers its employees many excellent benefits with paid medical insurance, 20 days of PTO (paid time off) the first year and increasing with seniority, and 11-12 paid holidays. Employees hired for full time employment will participate in the St. Louis County retirement plan where they contribute 4% of their salary to the defined benefit plan with vesting after 7 years. Other benefits include: paid life insurance, a credit union, 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, pre-tax premium pay plan, dependent care and medical expense reimbursement plans, and short and long term disability insurance.
In addition to these benefits, as of January 1, 2023, St. Louis County approved up to 480 hours of paid parental leave for eligible employees welcoming new children, either by birth or adoption. The employee can also take up to 80 hours of leave for prenatal care and up to 80 hours for care of the child within the first year.
Please click to view all of our benefits.
01
Explain in detail your one year experience working with a variety of predominantly domestic animals. (date and place of employment etc)
02
Do you have a current and valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03
Has your driver's license ever been suspended or revoked?(If yes, please explain include dates)
04
Please provide any previous work experience you have had with St. Louis County Government including roles you held and the dates of employment. Further, please explain the reason(s) for your departure from the organization. If this does not apply to you, simply enter n/a.
Required Question