JOB INFORMATION

The Frederick County Division of Animal Control is committed to serving the community through education and resources, humane law enforcement, and animal sheltering. We are proud of an impressive legacy of progressive thinking and community outreach that has reduced animal intake, reduced unwanted litters, and ultimately reduced animal euthanasia. Members of the Animal Control team, have a unique opportunity to not only make a difference for the homeless animals of Frederick County, but to engage in a rewarding career that demands hard work, integrity, high standards, and constant learning. Working with animals and serving the public-what better job could there be?
JOB DETAILS:
Non-exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week (Sunday-Saturday, varying schedule during Animal Control operating hours); full benefits

This position oversees daily operations of the kennel area, including the care and treatment of all animals in custody or confinement at the Frederick County Animal Control Center. Effective customer service/customer relations skills are required when assisting persons as they relinquish animals to Animal Control and when assisting with the animal adoption process. Supervision is received from the Deputy Director and/or Director, Division of Animal Control.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage .

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee all aspects of kennel operations and animal care
• Oversee and train Kennel Technicians in cleaning protocols and procedures
• Ensure existing protocols and procedures are followed in cleaning and providing animal care
• Evaluate existing animal care protocols, presenting improvements to Deputy Director and/or Director
• Maintaining updated electronic version of animal care protocols
• Data entry accuracy, generate accurate reports upon request from PetPoint/Shelter software
• Participate in meetings and trainings as scheduled
• Transport animals to veterinary offices and events as needed
• Perform all duties of Kennel Technician including (but not limited to):
  • Perform euthanasia procedures; train Kennel Technicians in the process and techniques of euthanasia
  • Maintain and thoroughly clean cages, runs and other common areas at the Animal Control Center, including removing animal waste; mopping and scrubbing; sanitizing feeding equipment; and disinfecting areas where animals are kept, fed, watered, and generally cared for
  • Examine animals for general conditions and report any illnesses, visible injuries or abnormal behavior of the animals.
  • Administer inoculations, medication and first aid to animals as directed by the Veterinarian and/or Animal Care Technician, including the use of controlled substances
  • Control aggressive animals with proper and humane restraint
  • Move animals to/from cages/runs and "visiting" areas as part of the pre-adoption process
• Perform counseling/interviews with potential adopters
• Assist with the managed-intake of owner relinquished pets
• Assist with maintaining inventory and ordering of shelter supplies, animal feed
• Perform other duties as required

To perform this job satisfactorily, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 
  High school graduation or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years of work experience as a Kennel Technician/Animal Caretaker/ Veterinary Hospital or an equivalent position
• Minimum 1 year of work supervising or directing the work of others
• Intermediate skills in MS Office Suite to include MS Word, Excel and Outlook
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Ability and willingness to obtain rabies pre-exposure vaccinations within six months of hire (at County expense)
• Ability to successfully complete euthanasia training within 6 months of hire (includes a written examination)
• Ability and willingness to perform euthanasia procedures
• Knowledge of (or the ability to learn) the tools, techniques and tranquilizing equipment used in the humane handling of animals, and ability to use them without endangering personal safety
• Familiarity with animal species and breeds, with the ability to effectively identify them and discuss breed characteristics with customer who are considering animal adoptions
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to accurately complete clerical and record-keeping duties, and the ability to answer questions clearly and give information as described above.
• Ability to effectively schedule staff work hours and supervise staff work performance
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the general public
• Ability to effectively organize multiple tasks, establish priorities and to complete duties with minimal supervision

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly make repetitive motions; frequently sit, walk, and reach and lift up to 20 pounds; occasionally climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, lift between 20-50 pounds, lift over 50 pounds; push up to 40 pounds and drive; rarely push and pull up to 40 pounds or over
• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently work indoors, outdoors, potentially exposed to infectious disease; work in dusty, dirty and noisy environment and exposed to chemicals and fumes and required to wear protective equipment

PREFERENCES MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• An Associate's degree
• Coursework or work experience with animal behavior/training
• Work experience in an animal control/animal shelter setting
• Additional supervisory experience greater than 1 year
• Minimum 1 year of direct customer service work experience

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Ability to provide own transportation to training and meetings as needed
• Available for rotating shift assignments within Animal Control Center operating hours (Sunday 6:00am-4:30pm; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 6:00am – 5:30pm; Wednesday 6:00am-7:00pm; Saturday 6:00am-4:30pm)
• This position is subject to random drug testing
• This position is classified as Essential and is required to report to work in the event of inclement weather or other emergencies

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):
1) An evaluation of training and experience
2) Job related office skills testing
3) One or more interviews
4) A pre-employment physical examination and drug test

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave
Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 – 2 years 11 days
2 – 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.