Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. 

Completes initial physical and behavioral assessment of animals entering the Humane Society facility; completes routine follow-up assessments as needed; completes daily visual exams; reports findings and any problems/concerns to Leadership Staff. 

Assists in the medical and health care of all animals; performs treatments and other procedures for animals, following all written and oral instructions, such as administering vaccines and medications, de-worming, bathing, grooming, flea and tick removal, ear flushing, FELV/FIV testing and Canine Parvovirus testing. 

Acts as medical liaison between Humane Society staff/volunteers and customers. Responds to concerns and questions about animal health and safety issues. 

Acts as lead for all kennel staff; assures that all staff follow and meet the Basic Care Standards for all animals; assures kennels and all housing areas are cleaned and disinfected pursuant to standards. 

Provides guidance, technical support and training for Animal Care Specialists and volunteers working in the Humane Society facility. 

Cleans and disinfects exam areas, medical kennels and bank cages. Feeds and provides care to animals under veterinary care. 

Trains staff in Basic Care Standards, animal handling, animal care, breed identification and safety. 

Completes daily assessment of each animal in Humane Society care. 

Provides behavior assessment and behavior modification training of animals. 

Acts as first line customer service staff regarding all aspects of the animal's care, health and behavior. 

Completes and maintains animal history files including medical and behavior assessments. Maintains and assures accuracy of kennel card. 

Works with and provides direction to volunteers who give enhanced care to the Humane Society's animals. 

Assists with the performance evaluation and personnel hiring of full and part-time kennel staff.

Additional Tasks and Responsibilities:

While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of this position and may also be performed by other unit members: 

May transport animals off site to veterinarians, pet adoption events, and other off site events and activities. 

Monitors and maintains inventories related to daily care, feeding, and health operation of the Humane Society. 

Assists with and participate in the Humane Society's special events. 

May complete paperwork for animal registrations, release to owners, and adoptions. 

Assists with other kennel operations.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

High school diploma or equivalent supplemented with college coursework or post-high school training in animal health, behavior or animal care or closely related field, two years of animal shelter or veterinary experience and some experience providing leadership to other staff, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities. May require an appropriate valid Texas driver's license.

One year of veterinary assistant experience may be required for some assignments.

Highly Desirable Qualifications: State Licensure as a Registered Veterinary Technician or work/hours toward licensure, and/or certifications in animal behavior/training.

State Certification to perform euthanasia on animals.

Physical and Mental Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

Ability to independently perform the more routine examinations, procedures and treatments, while exercising good judgment in determining when more specific direction should be obtained and when animal health or behavior issues or care concerns should be reported to the Director of Operations. 

Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards. Ability to classify, compute, and tabulate data and information. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, assemble, copy, and record and transcribe data and information. Ability to classify, compute, and tabulate data. 

Ability to train others, including the ability to act in a lead worker capacity. Ability to advise and interpret how to apply policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations. 

Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information such as regulations, animal medical certificates, treatment/medical records, lab results, department forms, veterinary medicine manuals/textbooks, breed books, correspondence, and general operating manuals. 

Ability to communicate orally and in writing with other pet owners, veterinarians, volunteers, the general public and Contract City and/or County personnel. Ability to interact effectively with Animal Care Specialists and volunteers to provide guidance, technical support and training. 

Ability to use functional reasoning in performing semi-routine functions involving standardized work with some choice of action. 

Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria, as opposed to criteria that are clearly measurable. 

Knowledge of techniques for humane and safe handling of animals, including ill and injured animals. 

Knowledge of current, effective methods and techniques used in conducting effective examinations and routine treatments and procedures for animal health care. 

Knowledge of effective practices and techniques for medical recordkeeping, inventory, and purchasing.

Must possess a positive "can do" attitude.

Mathematical Abilities:

Ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.

Physical Requirements: 

Ability to operate, maneuver and/or steer equipment and machinery sometimes requiring complex and/or rapid adjustments such as animal handling equipment, medical instruments, catch poles, diagnostic equipment, computer keyboard/terminal, printer, typewriter, photocopier, fax machine, telephone, shovels, and rakes. 

Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing semi-skilled movements, such as animal handling and medical procedures. 

Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, forms, sounds, textures, and odors associated with job-related objects, materials, and tasks. 

Ability to exert moderate physical effort in mildly heavy work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. Ability to lift and maneuver animals.

Environmental Adaptability:

Ability to work under sometimes unsafe and uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as temperature variations, odors, toxic agents, animal violence, noise, wetness, disease and/or dust can cause discomfort and where there is a risk of injury.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a journey level position and incumbents are expected to perform the more routine animal care, health care and behavior assessment tasks under general supervision, and to report findings and any problems noted to the Director of Operations. They may perform more complex animal health care duties under close medical direction of a Veterinarian. This class is distinguished from the Animal Care Specialist by the specialized work performed, and the level of independence and accountability.

Benefits:

Full-time positions include the opportunity to enroll in medical coverage, dental coverage and a retirement plan.  There are eight (8) recognized holidays paid annually.  Sick leave and vacation pay are available upon completion of minimum time requirements.  There are no part-time benefits currently offered.

Application Process:

An application must be submitted by the above listed closing date and time.  Faxes are not accepted.  Postmarks are not accepted.  Resumes may not be submitted in lieu of an application.  An application may be obtained on-line at http://www.hsntx.org/career_opportunities.php or by contacting us at the information listed below.   There is currently 1 Full-time Vacancy.

303 Enterprise Street, Longview, TX 75604 (903).297-2170  Fax (903).297-8768 www.hsntx.org