HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnimal Center AssistantUpdated: March 2024
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Posi�on Title: Animal Center Assistant
Department: Police
Division: Animal Services
Supervisor: Animal Services Coordinator
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 2
Job Number: 0214
Job Summary
Under immediate direc�on, serves as a front office public rela�ons recep�onist, cashier,
dispatcher, and adop�on coordinator. Impounds animals and assists with animal care and
cleaning of the en�re facility.
Essen�al Job Du�es and Responsibili�es
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.
• Performs clerical and cashier du�es, processes payments (currency, check, and credit
cards) for services, balances drawer daily, and accepts dona�ons.
• Runs daily finance reports, researches discrepancies and reports them to Animal
Services Supervisor.
• Performs computer input and data entry for services provided and animal records,
impounded animals, issues licenses and dog park tags, files, and completes adop�on and
reclaim paperwork for impounded animals.
• Impounds animals brought to the facility by ci�zens.
• Atempts to locate owners of lost and/or injured animals, through any available
informa�on in order to return animals to owners.
• Answers the telephone and dispatches calls to Animal Control Officers and JECC via
phone calls; assists Animal Services Officers in field with historical data look up to aid in
Officer’s inves�ga�ons.
• Provides customer service to walk in visitors as well as phone and/or electronic inquiries,
answers ques�ons rela�ng to Iowa City Animal Ordinances, impounded animals and
community and animal related problems.
• Gives referrals to community resources.
• Coordinates all aspects of the adop�on process including adop�on counseling with the
general public for animal matching.
• Educates and helps train hourly employees, volunteers, students and community service
workers in general kennel opera�ons; assigns work and du�es to those individuals.
• Assists with the Animal Services volunteer, foster, dog training and other community
programs.
Updated: March 2024
• Assists with coordina�ng and promo�ng aspects of Animal Services events, tours and
other community outreach.
• Assists with grant prepara�on and gi� solicita�on.
• Assists with animal care and cleaning of facility.
• Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the
workplace and community.
• Performs other du�es as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• High school educa�on or G.E.D. or pursuit of degree and one to three months of related
experience or training; or equivalent combina�on of educa�on and experience.
Experience in animal care, customer service, or office clerical.
• Euthanasia Technician cer�fica�on required within one year of hire. Valid State of Iowa
driver's license with sa�sfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass
criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• High school educa�on or G.E.D. and four to six months of related experience or training;
or equivalent combina�on of educa�on and experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abili�es
• Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to mul�ply and divide with 10's and
100's.
• Ability to administer medica�ons and perform euthanasia.
• Ability to and work directly with the public in very emo�onal, some�mes highly charged
environment.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved
writen or oral instruc�ons.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized
situa�ons.
• Ability to demonstrate behavior observa�on and handling skills with dogs and cats.
• Ability to disseminate educa�onal informa�on to the public rela�ng to the centers
mission.
• Ability to effec�vely present informa�on in one-on-one and small group situa�ons to
customers, clients, and other employees of the organiza�on.
• Ability to handle frac�ous or aggressive dogs and cats with appropriate equipment.
• Ability to mul�-task, priori�ze, and effec�vely delegate.
• Ability to perform these opera�ons using units of American money and weight
measurement, volume, and distance.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instruc�ons, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out du�es.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team in a very busy, hec�c, high stress
environment.
Updated: March 2024
• Ability to work with a variety of animal species including domes�cs, exo�cs and wildlife.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Knowledge of animal care and animal behavior.
• Knowledge of animal disease and preventa�ve maintenance.
• Skill in excellent public rela�ons, be public service oriented and believe in the mission of
the division.
• Skill in using computers and applicable so�ware applica�ons (Microso� Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
Supervision
No supervision of direct reports.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use
hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally
required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee
regularly lifts and/or moves 10 pounds, occasionally will lift and/or move 50 pounds, and will
occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required
by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus. Hand dexterity, balance and strength are essential in performing
treatments on animals and during animal handling.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving
mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic
chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee
is regularly exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen,
insect stings, and animals. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to
work closely with both domestic and wild animals and will be exposed to related hazards. The
employee is regularly exposed to communicable and Zoonotic diseases. The noise level in the
work environment is usually loud. Involves moderate exposure to dangerous situations.
Involves moderate exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations.
Updated: March 2024
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Dus�n Liston, Police Chief (4/2024)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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