"Alerted.org

Animal Care Specialist

Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lascruces/jobs/newprint/5024485)

Apply



Animal Care Specialist

Salary

$16.76 Hourly

Location

Las Cruces, NM

Job Type

Full-time Regular

Job Number

7030 07-25 DM

Department

Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley

Opening Date

07/29/2025

Closing Date

Continuous

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Nature of Work

Under general supervision and direction from the Kennel Supervisor, drives ASCMV animal transport vehicles for several hour spans at a time. Performs duties to support shelter operations. Provides compassionate and attentive care of the animals at all times, maintains a clean, healthy environment for the animals and the public, and assists with animal adoptions at the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV).

Work Situation Factors:

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, including weekends, nights, holidays, and responding to customer issues. POSITION IS SUBJECT TO DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND ANIMAL SERVICES CENTER OF THE MESILLA VALLEY POLICIES. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services.

Environmental Factors:

Exposure to a variety of domestic and wild animals, animal body fluids, wastes and infectious materials and surgical instruments; cleaning solvents and material; outdoor and or inclement weather conditions; may be exposed to hostile or abusive members of the public

Physical Factors:

Moderate to heavy lifting of fifty (50) pounds or more; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling; sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time; operating various equipment. Occasional use of a personal computer.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT ASCMV AND/OR CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt position.

This position is graded XN06.

Duties and Responsibilities

+ Operates a variety of transport vehicles in a safe manner, in compliance with all state laws and regulations to support the safe and reliable transport of animals on a timely schedule. Provides transportation of animals to and from the ASCMV for rescue partnership transfers, vet appointments, adoption events, community cat returns, or anywhere needed in support of shelter operations; maintains a driving log and animal manifest.

+ Assists in the preparation of animals for potential rescue partnership transfers, such as vaccinating, microchipping, blood drawing, holding animals for medical exams, bathing, behavior/temperament testing, obtaining photos and video of the animals, and other tasks as needed.

+ Prepares animal transport vehicles for transport, including refueling, checking tires, checking fluid levels, cleaning and disinfecting animal holding areas, cleaning the inside and outside of the vehicle, restocking supplies, and other tasks as needed.

+ Loads and unloads animals of various sizes along with additional cargo, while following strict disease control protocols.

+ Works closely with rescue coordination staff and others to manage deadlines, arranging potential transports, providing accurate and timely information to rescue partners, preparing documentation and paperwork, posting photos and information on social media platforms for potential transfers or foster placements, and other assignments as needed.

+ Provides a healthy, safe, clean, and pleasant environment and facilities for the animals and the public; daily, thorough cleaning of all animal areas, including inside/outside housing and holding cages, cart areas, floors, dishes, bedding, and stocking supplies and doing laundry; spot cleaning of animal and public areas throughout the day.

+ Treats all animals humanely, properly, and with compassion at all times, regardless of the situation or circumstance; feeds the animals, including providing special diets as needed; monitors the health of the animals on an ongoing basis and rapidly identifies any potential health problems or conditions (medical or behavioral) and immediately reports it to the supervisor, or medical staff; medicates animals as directed.

+ Responds promptly and courteously to questions and inquiries from customers and rescue groups; educates the public and rescue groups about ASCMV procedures and mission; works with volunteers and partner agencies as assigned.

+ Removes or assists in the removal of deceased animals as needed, ensuring safe humane handling of animals during procedure.

Minimum Qualifications

Equivalent to a high school diploma. One (1) year animal handling experience. Applicant must be able to drive a variety of motor vehicles, including Class 6 heavy duty vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of up to 26,000 lbs. Applicant must be comfortable with long drive times as limited by state and federal regulations. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with ASCMV policy.

Licenses/Certifications:

A valid State of New Mexico Driver’s License is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with ASCMV policy.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of humane animal handling, care, and treatment; a variety of animal species, breeds, and related behavioral and health characteristics; operational characteristics of kennel equipment and tools; applicable traffic regulations, signs, and signals; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers; occupational hazards and standard kennel safety practices; pertinent Federal, State, and local codes, laws, and regulations.

Skills in: The correct and humane use and application of a variety of animal handling skills; operation of animal control tools and equipment in a humane, safe, and effective manner; operation of office equipment including computers; operating transport vehicles in a safe manner, complying with all applicable traffic laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; reading maps, and transport documentation; reacting quickly to potential safety or security issues.

Ability to: Assist in humanely restraining animals for various procedures; compassionately interact with animals in ways to minimize stress and enhance environment; safely operate a motor vehicle; respond to requests and inquiries from the public accurately, promptly, and courteously; understand and follow oral and written instructions; work independently in the absence of supervision; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

To view a summary of benefits offered by the City of Las Cruces,

Benefits - Home (https://citylc.sharepoint.com/sites/Benefits)

01

Are you currently employed as a Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley employee?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Do you have, at a minimum, the required high school diploma or equivalent (GED)? (If you fail to include this information under the education section of your application, you may be disqualified from the process.)

+ Yes

+ No

03

Do you have the required one (1) year animal handling experience? (If you fail to include this information under the work experience section of the application, you may be disqualified from the selection process.)

+ Yes

+ No

04

This position requires the ability to drive a variety of motor vehicles, including Class 6 heavy duty vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of up to 26,000 lbs. Do you meet this requirement?

+ Yes

+ No

05

Applicant must be comfortable with long drive times as limited by state and federal regulations. Are you comfortable with this requirement?

+ Yes

+ No

06

Do you have a valid driver's license?

+ Yes

+ No

07

If you answered "yes" to the previous question above, please indicate the type of license, license number, expiration date, any restrictions or endorsements, and the state that issued the license. If none, type N/A.

08

I understand and accept that I may have to attend a ASCMV facility (shelter) tour in order to be considered for the position I am applying for.

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of Las Cruces

Address

Phone

575-528-3100575-528-3100

Website

http://www.lascruces.gov

Apply

Please verify your email addressVerify Email