Animal Care and Control Officer Lead

The Animal Care & Control Officer/Kennel Lead is a working lead who optimizes the health and welfare of animals in our animal care facility and in St. Louis County. 

This position serves as a bridge between the kennel staff, field staff and the supervisors, providing daily guidance and support to both Kennel Staff, Animal Control Officers, and Bite Desk to ensure the safety of the community and its animals.

Weekend work is required.

The typical starting salary is $18.52-$22.22 hourly depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience as well as budgetary considerations. Additionally, we offer a competitive benefits package and a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy. To learn more about these and other County benefits, please visithttps://stlouiscountymo.gov/st-louis-county-departments/administration/work-for-us/benefits/ St. Louis County Government is a qualified agency for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program managed by the Federal Government. For more information regarding this program, please visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Lead Responsibilities)

·Oversee Kennel Staff & Animal Control Officers to ensure compliance with Saint Louis County Animal policies, ordinances and safety protocols.

·Train and mentor staff on best practices for animal care, field investigations, public education, and clinical veterinary assistance to ensure consistency across the team.

·Serve in the Kennel Supervisor and/or Animal Control Officer Supervisor’s absence and perform administrative tasks associated with program supervision, including Bite Desk support.

·Monitor and assist staff regarding the accuracy of animal care, feeding and medication administration, cleaning protocols, activity notes, rabies observation forms, and legal documentation.

·Perform and lead interactions with the public to improve animal health and welfare and evaluate officer education regarding responsible pet ownership.

·Adapt practices to ensure the most current approaches to animal health and welfare are implemented within the division

·Other duties as assigned.

Field and Technical Duties

·Perform standard Animal Control Officer duties as required or assigned, including patrol, investigations and enforcement.

·Provide direct animal care control services as needed.

·Lead and assist in clinical tasks, including medications, immunizations, and rabies specimen preparation, and bite reporting documentation. 

·Review and ensure the accuracy of team activity notes, rabies forms, and legal reports.

Kennel and Animal Care Duties

·Care for animals in an animal shelter including providing food, water, exercise and human interaction according to defined guidelines.

·Observe for signs of atypical illness or behavior and report to supervisor.

·Clean and maintain shelter using power equipment such as steam cleaner or floor scrubber, and prepare and apply chemicals to clean animal housing, food containers and water containers.

·Assist with processing incoming animals from the general public and outgoing animals for adoption, foster care or rescue group placement.

·Interact with the public to promote animal adoption.

·Adapt practices to ensure the most current approaches to animal health and welfare are implemented.

Physical Requirements & Availability

·Must be able to work all three shifts and any day within the week to ensure coverage is met. Weekends are required. Schedule is determined by business need. 

·Ability to safely handle, restrain, and transport animals of various sizes and temperaments, including aggressive or injured animals. 

·Must be able to lift and carry up to 100 lbs regularly.

·Ability to work in various outdoor weather conditions. 

·Must possess the physical dexterity and strength to restrain and transport a variety of animals. This includes, but is not limited to, the consistent handling of dogs and cats

Three years of animal handling experience or an equivalent amount of combined education and training. Leadership experience is preferred. 

Possession of a valid Driver's License.

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.  

HOW TO APPLY:  Applicants interested in applying for this position should visit our website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/stlouis.  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 Floor
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 615-5429
Relay MO 711 or 800-735-2966
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Fax: (314) 615-7703
www.stlouiscountymo.gov