Animal Care Attendant

Job Description:

The Animal Care Attendant plays an essential role in supporting the daily operations of the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter by providing compassionate, consistent care to animals in the County’s custody.

Responsibilities include maintaining clean and sanitary housing, providing daily feeding and enrichment, monitoring animal health and behavior, and assisting with the safe handling of a variety of animals. The ideal candidate is dependable, attentive to detail, comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, and committed to maintaining high standards of animal care and welfare.

This position is responsible for performing semi-skilled maintenance work, technical and administrative duties including reporting and monitoring animal activities; provides outstanding customer service to shelter visitors; responds promptly, and efficiently to phone and email requests. Performs animal intakes and dispositions; assists Animal Health Technicians in the administration of medication, vaccines, and routine tests; and performs related duties as required. The work requires prior experience and is performed under general supervision.

Essential Job Functions/Other Duties/KSA:

Provides care for animals in the shelter including feeding, cleaning and monitoring animal behavior. Monitors conditions of animals and implements precautionary measures in order to prevent disease transmission. Cleans and disinfects pens, floors and related areas in accordance with established protocols.

Prepares and maintains a variety of files and filing systems; reviews and verifies records and computer files. Provides general office assistance such as answering phones, performs data entry, or other related duties as assigned. Unpacks, labels and stocks shelter supplies and donations

Provides assistance to customers wishing to adopt an animal; escorts customers through the shelter; responds to and directs questions regarding adoption or purchasing procedures. Assists with adoption processing. Provides information on general pet care. Receives animals at the shelter by interviewing owners and citizens turning over animals to the shelter, documenting age, breed and species information, documenting observations of incoming animals regarding the health or temperament of the animal and providing information to individuals bringing animals to the shelter.

Performs or assists with vaccinations and routine medical tests. Assists with the performance of euthanasia.

Prepares and reviews a variety of correspondence, reports, permits and documents as assigned, including monthly statistical reports; completes various forms; prepares and distributes reports for review and use; prepares and maintains a variety of forms used by the Animal Shelter Division; researches and verifies information as necessary.

Recognizes and records any unusual condition or abnormal behavior of any shelter animal including recognizing temperament changes and symptoms of illness.

Reports signs of illness, disease, injury or unusual behavior to Animal Health Technician.

Releases animals to their owners as directed by Customer Service and Adoption Specialist or a shelter supervisor.

Washes and dries towels, blankets, litter pans, and food/water bowls.

Performs preventive maintenance to equipment to keep equipment and tools in good working condition. Performs minor repairs on equipment as needed and notifies management about anticipated major repairs or new equipment necessary to adequately complete assignments. Keeps equipment and tools put away in proper storage areas.

Transports sick or seriously injured animals to the veterinarian for treatment and disinfects animal spaces between usages.

Provides outstanding customer service to citizens, volunteers, rescue partners, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs, and events.

Provides direction for volunteers when appropriate.

Takes immediate action to address all safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, animal, client, or the organization at risk.

Assists with behavioral evaluations and follows enrichment protocols set in place for specific animals.

Works with trustees from inmate work detail and directs and participates in maintaining sanitary kennels and shelter facilities.

Other Duties

Performs related work as required.

Knowledges, Abilities and Skills (These are pre-employment KASs that apply only to Essential Job Functions.)

Knowledge of --

• Good animal handling skills and motivation to ensure animals receive proper care.

• Hazards and safety practices involved in dealing with animals.

• Computer applications such as animal management software, Microsoft Outlook and/Office 365.

Ability to--

• Work independently.

• Work with the public, volunteers, animal control officers, and other agencies.

• Inform and assist the public and volunteers as needed.

• Maintain a safe, secure, healthy, and humane environment.

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• Deal effectively with the public.

Required Qualifications (Note: Any acceptable combination of education, training and relevant experience that provides the above knowledges, abilities and skills may be substituted on a full-time year for year basis.)

Training and/or Education:

High school diploma or GED equivalent.

Experience:

One year of direct professional animal handling experience in a veterinary facility or animal shelter and customer service experience.

Licenses or Certificates:

Valid driver's license.

Will be required to become certified in humane euthanasia post-employment at the County’s expense.

Special Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Subject to call-back in emergency situations.

Operation of County owned vehicle.

Employees must have the ability and willingness to obtain rabies pre-exposure vaccinations post-employment (offered at the County's expense).

Physical Demands:

Ability to control, lift, and carry animals handled at the facility.

Requires long periods of standing and frequent walking indoors and outdoors.

Repeated bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, or reaching.

Recurring lifting of objects up to 50 pounds.

Operation of keyboard devices.

May involve walking over rough, uneven terrain.

Work may be physically or emotionally demanding.

Unusual Demands:

Exposure to hazards while dealing with dangerous, frightened, or diseased animals.

Exposure to cleaning and disinfecting agents.

Exposure to animal dirt, dust, dander, noise, and odors from cleaning chemicals.

Must be willing to assist in euthanasia procedures.

Required to work non-standard schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Required to work during emergency weather events or other emergency situations that close the shelter and require the operation of an emergency pet shelter.

Work is subject to frequent interruptions.

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Compensation Steps:

Pay rate: $25.17 - $27.00 per hour; $45,809 - $49,140 annually

Grade 717, full-time position, 35 hours per week

Department of Public Safety, Animal Services

Position closing date: September 2, 2026

Please Note: This position will close at 11:59 p.m. on September 2, 2026. To be considered for the role, ensure that your application is submitted before the deadline. The position will be removed from the website as of 12:00 a.m. on September 3rd.

Calvert County Government offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees' health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Benefits include:

• 15 days of sick leave
• 10 days of annual leave
• 5 days of personal leave
• 13 paid holidays *14 in an election year
• Defined Contribution Plan
• 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible spending accounts
• Up to 80% tuition reimbursement
• Gym membership discounts

Please Note: A complete application is required to be considered for a position within Calvert County Government. All prior work experience, education, and other certifications should be entered into the application and supplemental questions should be answered completely. Attachments are not provided to hiring managers unless you are selected for an interview.

Calvert County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] with as much notice as possible.