Bachelor's degree in animal science, animal behavior, animal management, communications, education, marketing, or related field, and one year of animal handling experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.
Certified Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) required within one year of hire.
Successfully pass the Euthanasia Technician Certification Course, valid in the State of Florida, within six (6) months of the date of hire.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen & physical examination and successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.
This is responsible professional supervisory work overseeing, designing, planning, coordinating, and implementing animal outreach programs in the Alachua County Animal Resources & Care Department.
An employee assigned to this classification plans and develops methods and procedures for implementing programs; directs and coordinates program activities ensuring administrative efficiency and compliance with departmental standards; and may enlist the help of staff and/or volunteers for specific functions or phases of programs.
Work is performed under the direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.
Supervises and coordinates the activities of subordinate employees including determining work procedures and schedules; issuing instructions and assigning duties; reviewing work; recommending personnel actions; conducting performance reviews; and conducting departmental training and orientation.
Oversees adoption, foster, volunteer, behavior, and rescue programs.
Performs animal handling and care duties, monitoring health and behavior, and ensuring the safety and well-being of all animals following shelter protocols and humane care standards.
Plans and directs the development and communication of information designed to keep the public informed of department programs, goals, objectives, and initiatives. Manages social media platforms and creates targeted pleas to inform the community and partners of current needs.
Designs, coordinates, implements, and evaluates public education and volunteer programs to further department goals, objectives, and initiatives.
Plans and executes large-scale on-site and off-site events, including foster, volunteer, and adopter recruitment at outreach events, microchip and vaccination clinics, adoption events, and community events in partnership with local rescues, businesses, and organizations.
Provides training, workshops, and presentations using resource information and materials pertinent to the educational goals and commitments of the department.
Arranges for public relations efforts to meet needs, objectives, and policies of the department; Meets with community rescue partners, clubs, businesses, and organizations to strategize ways to expand on existing partnerships, including events, group volunteering, animal transfers, training, and public education initiatives.
Prepares and distributes fact sheets, news releases, photographs, scripts, or audio and video recordings to media representatives and other persons who may be interested in learning about or publicizing department-specific activities and/or messages.
Purchases advertising space and time as required.
Explains program and individual responsibilities for functions and phases of program to staff; assists in planning and execution of meetings to inform staff and volunteers of upcoming events.
Attends weekly leadership meetings with reports on animal behavior and status updates for previously discussed animals.
Performs routine behavioral evaluations with applicable staff to identify animals in need of immediate placement, further assessment, behavioral medication, foster, or rescue placement; meets with fosters, volunteers, adopters, and owners to determine the extent of reported behavioral concerns in and out of the shelter setting.
Responds to foster and volunteer emergencies, completes Incident Reports as needed and responds to after-hours emergencies via email, call, and text.
Remains accessible and readily available for in-shelter and county-declared emergencies; assists staff in planning for animals from large cases.
Reviews reports and records of program activity to ensure progress is being accomplished towards specific program objectives.
Modifies program methodology as required to redirect activities to attain program objectives. Prepares program reports for higher-level supervisors.
Controls expenditures in accordance with program budget allocations.
Develops policies and procedures for the program’s operation in conjunction with the department director or immediate supervisor.
Responds to inquiries and/or complaints regarding operation of the program.
Assists in monitoring contracts related to the operation of the program.
Assists in the preparation and coordination of grants related to public education, volunteerism, and community outreach activities.
Promotes goodwill through such publicity efforts as speeches, exhibits, films, tours, and question/answer sessions.
Represents department during community projects and at public, social, and business gatherings.
Researches data, creates ideas, writes copy, designs and lays out artwork, edits, contacts media representatives, or represents assigned department directly before the general public.
Coordinates activities of staff, and interns, as appropriate for specific functions or phases of program.
Coordinates program-related activities dealing with federal, state, and local agencies.
Evaluates shelter dogs (and occasionally cats) using industry best practices; observes how dogs and cats interact with people and other dogs and cats and accurately assesses behavior of animals in our care.
Coordinates Rescue transfer support for animals in need at Alachua County Animal Resources & Care. Completes written evaluation forms and maintains notes in the shelter software.
Develops and implements behavioral plans for dogs and cats to ensure dogs and cats are adoptable.
Performs humane euthanasia of designated animals in accordance with department policy, applicable laws and regulations, and best practices.
Drives a County vehicle and/or personal vehicle to work sites in order to perform required duties.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of current departmental program practices and principles. Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to assigned program area.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local education programs related to departmental goals and objectives.
Skills in time management and work organization.
Ability to effectively supervise and coordinate the activities of subordinate staff.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, animal welfare groups and other partners, elected officials, and the generalpublic.
Ability to work independently and/or as part of a team to solve problems and make sound decisions based upon available information.
Ability to follow through on assigned tasks while maintaining attention to detail, patience, and professionalism.
Ability to safely operate motor vehicles.
Ability to coordinate and prepare reports, general audience presentations, and campaigns.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to prepare, implement, and evaluate educational programs for all ages.
Ability to produce graphics and displays and coordinate special events.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles. Potential hazards include animal bites, scratches, and exposure to zoonotic diseases (e.g., ringworm).
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
