Animal Shelter Attendant

Salary : $38,243.00 Annually

Location : New Bern, NC

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 10019

Department : Health

Division : Animal Shelter

Opening Date : 10 / 20 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

FLSA : Non-Exempt

Primary Purpose

The primary purpose of this position is to perform all necessary work involved in maintaining the animal housing areas within Craven Pamlico Animal Services Center in a sanitary and pleasant condition. This position is responsible for the welfare of animals in the center's care including but not limited to triage exam, assisting with surgical procedures, administration of medications, vaccine administration, records completion, adopter communication and education. This also includes upkeep of the surgical suite and equipment with routine maintenance and cleaning.

Essential Functions

Animal Care / Cleaning

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect all animal housing areas (cages, runs, related areas) as often as necessary.
• Provide shelter animals with proper food and water.
• Give shelter animals prescribed medications as required and document on medical logs accordingly.
• Wash and sterilize water and food bowls.
• Launder animal bedding and other items as necessary.
• Groom and exercise animals as necessary.
• Routinely observe animal appearance and activity.
• Be aware of and report any signs of illness, disease, and / or injury to supervisor or veterinarian for evaluation.
• Recognize, record, and report any unusual condition or abnormal behavior of any shelter animal.
• Receive animals through shelter intake process and check for microchip identification when needed. Ensure proper identification and information is posted on kennel / cage and matches PetPoints documentation.
• Update or have supervisor update animal location and / or any information in PetPoints when an animal is moved or changes occur.
• Be familiar with animals available for adoption, assist the public with appropriate adoption choices to include introductions, providing pertinent information about the animals, and meet and greets between current pet(s) and the animal being considered for adoption.
• Release animals to owners only after verifying proper documentation and vaccinations have been completed.
• Assist public, other shelter staff, and Animal Control Officers with handling or restraint of animals following policy and procedures to ensure safety of people and animal(s).
• If certified to do so, vaccinate animals as assigned.
• Assist veterinarian with surgical procedures.
• Assist with behavior evaluations of shelter animals when necessary.
• Based on credentials, perform or assist with euthanasia of identified animals when deemed necessary.
• General cleaning of other shelter areas (inside and outside) - pick up trash, sweep, mop, empty trash, etc. Ensure areas safe and clean for animals and the public.
• Maintain equipment used to complete job assignments and keeping such equipment and tools in good working condition. Keep equipment and tools put away in proper storage areas.
• Unpacking, labeling, and stocking of shelter supplies and donations.
• Assist with monitoring inventory of supplies and notify supervisor of items that need to be ordered.

Administrative

Other

Minimum Education and Experience

Graduation from high school and one year of animal handling experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge and skills in basic animal behavior and controlling / handling individual animal temperament. Proper methods of restraint and the ability to gain animal confidence when restraining. Cleaning and disinfecting methods and the use and care of cleaning materials and equipment. Knowledge of common diseases, their symptoms and means of transmission, administration of medications, assessment of change in animal status.

Additional Information

Physical Requirements

Employee must be able to handle and control animals to prevent injury to themselves, other people, and the animal(s). Must be physically able to operate, maneuver and / or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and / or materials used in performing essential functions. Must be able bend, stoop, kneel, and lift / move heavy animals or objects. A significant amount of walking and standing is also required.

Craven County offers regular full-time employees a wide variety of employee benefits including :

Health Insurance

Health Insurance is provided by ACS Benefits Services and covers a wide variety of healthcare services. Craven County pays 100% of Employee Only premium cost. Employees have the option to add child and spouse dependent coverage at their own cost.

Dental Insurance

Dental Insurance is provided through the Delta Dental PPO and Delta Dental Premier network administered by ACS Benefits Services. It covers a percentage of basic to major dental procedures, including orthodontia for children. Craven County pays 100% of Employee Only premium cost. Employees have the option to add child and spouse dependent coverage at their own expense.

Life Insurance and AD&D

Craven County provides eligible employees with $10,000 life insurance and accidental dealth and dismemberment coverage through OneAmerica AUL. Employees have the option to purchase additional coverage and / or dependent coverage at their own expense.

Disability Insurance

Craven County provides eligible employees with $50.00 per week in disability insurance through OneAmerica AUL. Employees have the option to purchase additional disability insurance at their own cost.

North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System

Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the retirement system and must contribute 6% of their gross salary each pay period. Once eligibility requirements are met, employees will be able to receive monthly payments for life based on their salary, age, and years of service credit.

NC401k

Craven County contributes 2% of eligible employees' gross salary into the 401(k) account regardless of the employee's deferral amount. In addition, the County matches employee deferrals up to an additional 3%.

Annual Leave

Regular full-time employees earn annual leave based upon years of service. Eligible employees begin to accrue annual leave as soon as they start but must complete a six month probationary period before they are eligible to use annual leave.

Sick Leave

Regular full-time employees earn 3.69 hours of sick leave per pay period. Craven County accepts eligible sick leave from the State of North Carolina, any of its political subdivisions, any local government entity or authority, or municipality in North Carolina.

Paid Holidays

County employees receive 11-14 paid holidays annually. The Board of County Commissioners may adjust the holiday schedule as deemed necessary.

Longevity

Eligible employees earn $200 in longevity after five years of service by October 31 of the qualifying year. Longevity benefits increase $25 per year up to a maximum of $1,000.

Merit Program

Craven County offers a merit program. Up to 56% of eligible employees may receive a performance-based merit increase each year.

Supplemental Benefits

County employees are also offered a variety of supplemental benefits to select at their own expense such as Life Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Critical Care policies, Cancer policies, Long-term Care policies, Hospitalization policies, 457b Deferred Compensation Plan and Aflac.

Employee benefits are subject to change or may be contingent upon funding availability.