Animal Care Assistant (Level 3)- [Kingston- 2 posts] [Montego Bay- 2 posts] salary $2,190,302 annually
Job Purpose
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Enforcement Officer, the Animal Care Assistant is responsible for:
- Providing compassionate and attentive care to canines.
- Maintaining a clean and healthy environment for the canines.
- Monitoring and observing the health and wellbeing of canines.
Key Responsibilities
Technical/Professional Responsibilities
- Provide daily care for canines.
- Clean, sanitise and maintain kennels, kennel equipment and bedding, food, and water bowls daily.
- Ensure canine is groomed, exercised, and generally cared for and medication administered (where necessary).
- Ensuring that the canine always has ample, fresh food and water, including providing special diets as needed.
- Monitor and observe the health and wellbeing of the canines.
- Maintains accurate logs of canine’s diet, behaviour, vital signs, and other pertinent data.
- Monitors and observe changes in behaviour in canine statuses such as signs of stress and changes in eating or elimination habits and promptly notify concerns and unusual actions to Enforcement Officers, Supervisors, or Veterinarian.
- Promptly report injuries, accidents, or medical issues to Veterinarians, Enforcement Officers & Supervisors.
- Calm canines who are in distress.
- Wear personal protective equipment required for the handling of the canine.
- Perform basic canine emergency first-aid as needed until professional medical attention is sought.
- Maintain accurate animal records such as weight, physical conditions, treatments received, medications administered, food intake and other vital information on the canine.
- Request and maintain inventory of supplies and resources needed for kennel and handling the canine.
- Provide a healthy, safe, clean, and pleasant environment and facilities for the canines.
- Performing intake and discharge duties of canine.
- Evacuate canines in cases of emergencies.
- Cleaning and maintenance of carry crates and canine service vehicles daily.
Customer Service Responsibilities
- Maintains customer service principles, standards, and measurements.
- Identifies and incorporates the interests and needs of customers in business process design.
- Ensures critical success factors are identified and meet expectations.
Other Responsibilities
- Performs all other duties and functions as may be required from time to time.
- May be required to provide witness statements, attend court proceedings, and give evidence.
- Comply with Health and Safety policies and procedures.
Required Competencies
Core
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to interact with staff at all levels in a fast-paced environment
- Observant, alert, and patient disposition.
- Good time management and organisational skills.
- Sound decision-making skills.
- Ability to remain calm in difficult situations and handle stress and pressure with tact and diplomacy.
- Ability to work independently and be a team player.
- High levels of integrity, professionalism, ethics, and ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Excellent cleaning and sanitisation skills.
- Love, care, and respect for animals.
- Maturity, good judgment, and a professional appearance.
Technical
- Sound knowledge and experience in proper animal restraint techniques.
- Knowledge of animal behaviour and common medical concerns.
- Working knowledge of relevant computer systems and applications.
Minimum Required Education and Experience
- Associate of Science in Veterinary Science or equivalent qualification with at least two (2) years’ experience in animal husbandry/care with animals, preferably dogs.
- General Driver’s License
Special Conditions Associated with The Job
- Work will be conducted in various offices with standard office equipment and specialised software.
- Involves working in a fast-paced environment with ongoing interactions with critical stakeholders.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, holidays, and weekends.
- Ability to work in extreme temperatures, outside or in distracting work environments such as loud noise/sound.
- Ability to tolerate close contact with various bodily fluids and frequently get dirty.
- Must be comfortable around dogs of all sizes.
- Work can be physically taxing, emotionally stressful, and sometimes physically risky.
- Ability to physically handle dogs of all sizes and lift, carry or move heavy animals (minimum 50lbs.)
- Must be able to work under conditions that require sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, pulling, pushing, and grasping.
Applications, including résumés, should be submitted no later than Friday, February 14, 2025
Email us at helpdesk@jca.gov.jm, if you have any technical difficulties.