Job Information
Fairfax County Sheriff's Office Behavior Program Assistant (Animal Specialist II) in Fairfax, Virginia
Behavior Program Assistant (Animal Specialist II)
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Behavior Program Assistant (Animal Specialist II)
Salary
$47,663.82 - $79,439.78 Annually
Location
FAIRFAX (EJ13), VA
Job Type
FT Hourly W BN
Job Number
24-01575
Department
Animal Sheltering
Opening Date
06/29/2024
Closing Date
7/12/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade
S17
Posting Type
Open to General Public
Description
Benefits
Questions
Job Announcement
Are you an enthusiastic individual looking for a career where you can make a difference in the lives of animals and the community? At the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care to the animals in our Shelter, while also working to tackle the root causes of animal homelessness in our community.
This position works independently as well as alongside animal care staff and volunteers to provide behavior treatment to shelter animals, assist with training programs, and offer behavior support services for adopters and pet owners.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter is the only open-access municipal shelter located in Fairfax and Lorton, Virginia. Our shelter has a live release rate of over 90% and we’re very proud of our excellent volunteer and foster programs, compassionate staff, progressive sheltering policies and practices, and our wonderful animal-loving community. Please visit our website here (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter/) .
Responsibilities:
Assists with the development and implementation of behavior treatment plans for shelter animals using a positive reinforcement approach.
Provides pre- and post-adoption and surrender prevention support to pet owners.
Collaborates on and conducts public group canine training classes and behavior management and safe handling workshops.
Assists with the development and oversight of volunteer training teams to provide individual training and socialization, play groups, and enrichment activities to shelter animals.
Keeps abreast of state-of-the-art behavior treatment protocols.
Documents behavior observations in the shelter management software system.
May assist with euthanasia as needed.
Follows proper cleaning and sanitation procedures when working with animals.
May perform other related duties to meet the ongoing business needs of the organization.
This position will split shifts between Fairfax County Animal Shelter Campuses as needed. All Fairfax County Animal Shelter positions are required to work shifts and/or be transferred to any DAS facility.
Salary: The salary offer will be in the minimum to midpoint ($48,617.09 to $ 64,823.20 ) of the advertised compensation range. Promotional rules apply for current Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools employees.
Schedule: Schedule will vary based on program needs Required to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays.
Illustrative Duties
(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)
Performs a range of intermediate level work in multiple animal functions within the agency which may include animal care, animal behavior, animal training, enrichment, exercise, assessments, observations, evaluations, medical treatment and supplies, inoculation, medical and veterinary care referral, transport, specialized care, cleaning, disinfecting, animal disposition, adoption, intervention recommendations, humane euthanasia, documentation, data entry, record management and maintenance, safety, inventory maintenance, technical maintenance, and/or facility maintenance;
Provides counseling, training, support, assistance, and works with agency staff and programs, volunteers, veterinary staff, community members, customers, rescue programs and partners, and/or community service assignees;
May coach and mentor lower-level agency staff, volunteers, community members, and customers;
May be responsible for one or more function, service, team, or unit involving analysis of problems and needs that requires intermediate knowledge of principles and practices of the specific field;
May act as team or program lead with or without absence of supervisor;
May supervise work of lower-level employees in absence of supervisor;
May facilitate animal care and placement;
May coordinate planning and content;
May provide and deliver technical assistance;
May coordinate with other non-agency programs and partners;
May coordinate with the development, assistance, delivery, and/or implementation of plans, materials, trainings, programs, procedures, and/or teams for internal and external use;
May provide information on the policies and procedures of the agency.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
(The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Demonstrated interest in and compassion for animals;
Intermediate knowledge of characteristics of different types of animals;
Intermediate knowledge of animal behavior indicators;
Intermediate knowledge of safe animal handling techniques;
Intermediate knowledge of work planning techniques;
Intermediate knowledge of the focused animal specialty area and/or program as required per the position;
Knowledge of current industry best practices;
Knowledge of team leadership techniques;
Knowledge of animal training techniques using a positive reinforcement approach;
Knowledge of customer service techniques;
Knowledge of medical administration techniques as required by the position;
Knowledge of coaching, and counseling techniques as required per the position;
Knowledge of safe driving principles and practices;
Ability to assist, coach, counsel, supervise, train, and evaluate others to include safety, policies, procedures, and practices;
Ability to make assessments and recommendations;
Ability to prioritize tasks and provide guidance;
Ability to be flexible and adjust work plans to meet immediate needs when necessary;
Ability to learn procedures, occupational hazards, and safe work practices;
Ability to follow precise instructions for dispensing medication;
Ability to handle animals in a humane manner and without personal injury;
Ability to move quickly to respond to conditions and situations involving animals;
Ability to handle, restrain, and move heavy, immobilized, or resistant animals;
Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds;
Ability to maintain a high level of ethical standards;
Ability to demonstrate a high level of integrity and to be truthful at all times;
Ability to read animal behavior and maintain a safe environment;
Ability to document animal behavior in clear language based on observable behavior;
Ability to learn and teach animal training techniques using a positive reinforcement approach;
Ability to work collaboratively with others, avoid negative interpersonal altercations, and maintain good working relationships;
Ability to learn job related information;
Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing to others, including presentations;
Ability to contribute to a stress-free environment for both animals and people;
Ability to safely operate equipment and software necessary to perform position requirements;
Ability to work outdoors as well as indoors and be subject to variable weather conditions and exposure to potentially infectious diseases or allergies, as well as wetness and moisture;
Ability to bend, stand, stoop, kneel, reach, crawl, walk, and sit;
Ability to hear, speak, touch, feel, and smell;
Ability to see with close vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus;
Ability to be frequently exposed to loud noises above 95 decibels such as barking of dogs and other animal noises;
Ability to firmly grasp and have wrist extension and rotation on a frequent basis.
Employment Standards
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hr/equivalencies-education-and-experience) (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies)
High school graduation or a GED issued by a state department of education; and two years of experience working in an animal shelter, kennel, vet clinic, boarding facility, animal training capacity, or other animal related organization with animal care and handling responsibility; (Graduation from an accredited Veterinary Technician Program may be substituted for one year of the required experience).
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license;
Fear Free Shelter Certification required within three months of appointment.
Virginia Humane Euthanasia Certification is required within six months of appointment.
Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) credential from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) (Required within 12 months)
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer. Must have current pre-exposure rabies vaccination or obtain within three months of hire. Must have the ability to work frequent evenings and weekends. The work schedule is subject to change.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
At least one year of experience in an animal welfare-related organization.
At least one year of experience working with and safely handling, moving, and restraining animals of various species, sizes, conditions, and temperament including fractious animals.
At least one year of experience managing volunteers, and experience with using the volunteer management software database, Volgistics.
Experience with the shelter management software system, PetPoint.
Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills and can communicate effectively with regard to animal care and treatment and Shelter policies and programs.
Must be able to work both independently and as a member of a team.
At least one year of experience training staff, volunteers, and/or the public in animal behavior and treatment plans.
Must be computer literate.
Maintain a Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) or a Professional Dog Trainer-Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA) credential from the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).
Fear Free shelter certified.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to converse with volunteers, residents, visitors, staff, and others in person, via e-mail, and on the phone and make presentations in person and virtually. Ability to operate equipment necessary to complete work tasks and keyboard-driven equipment. Visual acuity to read standard text and data on a computer monitor. Drives county or personal vehicle to travel between Fairfax Shelter and Lorton Shelter Campuses to meet the ongoing business needs of the organization. Ability to maneuver safely in kennels, dog play yards, cat rooms, small animal room, off-site events, etc. Must not have allergies to animals or animal supplies (ex: hay, peanut butter, etc.) that will impede working in an animal environment. Ability to safely handle, move, and restrain animals of various species, sizes, conditions, and temperament including fractious animals. Ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, kneel, stoop, crawl, climb stairs, and be comfortable doing these activities for extended periods of time; lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds; use hands to grasp, handle, and feel; and talk, see, and hear. Work a varied schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.
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