Kennel Attendant

As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage. Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.

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CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

Kennel Attendant

SALARY:

$41,328.19 - $53,454.55

DEPARTMENT:

Animal Control

Opening Date:

10/09/2026

Closing Date:

10/27/2026 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt. Overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement.

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period.

CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME: Full-time (40 hours per week) position, broken up into four 10-hour shifts. The starting time for this position is currently 7:00 a.m. 

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under direction, responsible for the care of animals at the Animal Control facility. This includes, but is not limited to, providing medical assistance, behavioral monitoring, and maintaining a clean environment for the wellbeing of all animals at the facility.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Cares for all animals being held at the facility.

 

Performs daily cleaning of kennels, cages and public areas, following proper disease control protocols to ensure a sterile environment.

 

Administers medications, vaccines and treatments as prescribed by the veterinarian.

 

Performs clinical laboratory procedures such as fecal flotation exams, heartworm checks, skin scraping, urinalysis, and fungal cultures.

 

Draws blood for laboratory analysis, maintains files of lab test results, and ensures all test results are documented.

 

Performs lab tests and monitors animals after surgeries and other procedures.

 

Cleans and maintains equipment and tools, sterilizes surgical equipment as needed.

 

Counsels adopters on adoptable pets.

 

Observes and records behavior of animals held in quarantine. 

 

Reports animal behavior, health or concerns of animals at the facility to management.

 

Examines animals for signs of illness and treats them according to established procedures.

 

Performs intake of animals into the facility and the release of animals from the facility.

 

Maintains records and charts for animals at the facility.

 

Records and documents information including, but not limited to, genealogy, diet, weight, medications, medical information, food intake, and license number.

 

Stocks all kennel and cleaning supplies as needed.

 

Receives incoming telephone calls, answers questions appropriate to skill level, relays messages to appropriate individuals and sells animal licenses.

 

Educates the public on proper animal care techniques.

 

Assists with general clerical responsibilities.

 

Euthanizes animals and prepares animals for rabies testing.

 

Performs general janitorial duties in the kennels and outside the facility.

 

Operates an automobile to perform job duties.

 

Performs related duties as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Required Education and Experience

• Possession of a high school diploma or a certificate of successful completion of the General Educational Development Test

 

Preferred Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in an animal-care related field, such as Animal Sciences, Veterinary Technology, or related discipline
• Previous Kennel Attendant or Veterinary Assistant experience
• Previous animal handling experience

 

Required Licenses or Certifications

• As a condition of employment, must obtain certification in performing euthanasia and tranquilization techniques within probationary period
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and an operable insured automobile for authorized travel
• undefined

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

 

Knowledge of:

• Principles and processes for providing customer service including needs assessment and meeting quality standards for services
• Animal care, needs, behavior, animal handling and restraint technique
• Delivering post-operative instructions
• Local, state, and federal animal laws and court procedure
• undefined

Skill in:

• Identifying aspects of animal behavior (aggressive, fearful, feral)
• Animal health and well-being
• Basic veterinary medical concepts, including but not limited to vaccine protocols
• Communicating basic veterinary concepts to owners and be able to repeat information relayed by a veterinarian
• Communicating with the public daily in a professional manner
• Handling and caring for animals
• Animal euthanasia methods
• Tranquilization medications, methods, and techniques

 

 Ability to:

·        Work required weekends and holidays, including overtime as needed based on operations

·        Determine breeds, species, sex and age of animal

·        Recognize signs of animal illness, neglect, abuse and cruelty

·        Restrain and capture animals and the ability to interpret animal body language

·        Understand and follow written and oral instructions

·        Adapt behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions or unexpected situations

·        Be able to work under stressful conditions and work efficiently and effectively under those conditions

·        Cope with death either due to surgical complication or euthanasia

·        Rapidly and accurately process information

·        Delegate tasks

·        Work independently and as part of team

·        Make decisions

·        Cope with frustrating situations and remain calm

·        Exercise judgment and initiative in analyzing problems and recommending solutions.

·        Maintain composure under stressful situations

·        Multitask efficiently

·        Type efficiently and accurately for data entry purposes

·        Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign

·        Effectively speak, write and understand the English language

·        Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred

·        Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions

·        Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files

·        Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

 

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

 

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: F/C

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

 

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: O

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: O

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): O

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): O

Communicable diseases: O

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: O

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: O

Loud noises (85+ decibels): O

Blood Borne Pathogens: O

 

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.

 

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

 

Demand:

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: O

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): F/C

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees): O

Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging: N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: F/C

Kneeling to work at low levels: F/C

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another:

Up to 10 pounds: F/C

Up to 50 pounds: F/C

More than 50 pounds: O

Over 100 pounds: O

Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: F/C

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): F/C

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: F/C

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

 

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

 

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations. 

 

The POAM-Animal Control Officers Association bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.