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Home My WebLink AboutAnimal Care TechnicianUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review) CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION Position Title: Animal Care Technician Department: Police Division: Animal Services Supervisor: Animal Services Coordinator FLSA: Non-Exempt Civil Service: Yes Pay Grade: 4 Job Number: 0402 Job Summary Under immediate direction, maintains a safe and sanitary facility for center animals and the public. Provides for and is responsible for the humane handling and care for all center animals and all animal housing areas. Is accountable for the overall cleanliness of all animal housing areas. Assures industry best practice standards for all animals’ nutritional, housing, emotional and medical needs. Is accountable for training temporary employees and others in kennel and animal maintenance. Educates and provides assistance and adoption counseling to the public. Shows strong initiative and works in a leadership role within animal housing areas. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. • Cleans and disinfects all animal housing areas including cages, kennels and animal equipment and performs general facility custodial duties. • Assesses the needs and cares for animal’s physical health including bathing and grooming and behavioral health including training and providing mental exercise and enrichment. • Prepares samples (including drawing blood) and performs laboratory screening tests including heartworm, leukemia, FIV and other common tests and fecal screenings using prescribed methods and instructions. • Reads results of medical screening tests and makes recommendation for medical care or euthanasia if necessary. • Vaccinates, deworms, medicates and performs all other standard medical protocol. • Maintains controlled substance records. • Documents and maintains animal medical, treatment and euthanasia records and assists with entering data into computer database. • Administers care and medication to animals under the direction of the Veterinarian. • Recommends animals for adoption or other appropriate live release option. • Provides customer service to walk in visitors as well as phone and/or electronic inquiries. • Gives educational information to the public and answers questions relating to adoption, impounded animals, and community animal related problems. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Educates and helps train hourly employees, volunteers, students and community service works in general kennel operations; assigns work and duties to those individuals. • Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all community members and coworkers. • Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • High school education or G.E.D. or pursuit of degree and one to three months of related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in veterinary practice or services, or animal care. • Euthanasia Technician Certiﬁcation required within one year of hire. Valid State of Iowa driver's license with satisfactory driving record. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check. Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other • High school education or G.E.D. and four to six months of related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Education in Veterinary Technician or Animal Services. • Certiﬁed Veterinary Technician, Certiﬁed Veterinary Assistant or Certiﬁed Animal Services Oﬃcer. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. • Ability to administer medications and perform euthanasia. • Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. • Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. • Ability to draw blood, restrain animals and perform general screening tests. • Ability to eﬀectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. • Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. • Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties. • Ability to use a microscope and read results. • Ability to write simple correspondence. • Knowledge of animal disease and preventative maintenance. • Knowledge of animal care and animal behavior. • Ability to and work directly with the public in very emotional, sometimes highly charged environment. • Ability to demonstrate behavior observation and handling skills with dogs and cats. • Ability to disseminate educational information to the public relating to the centers mission. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) • Ability to handle fractious or aggressive dogs and cats with appropriate equipment. • Ability to work both independently and as a team in a very busy, hectic, high stress environment. • Ability to work with a variety of animal species including domestics, exotics, and wildlife. • Skill in excellent public relations, be public service oriented and believe in the mission of the division. • Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and eﬀectively delegate. • Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Oﬃce – Word, Excel, Outlook). Supervision No supervision of direct reports. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee regularly lifts and/or moves 10 pounds, occasionally will lift and/or move 50 pounds, and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Hand dexterity, balance and strength are essential in performing treatments on animals and during animal handling. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, vibration, confined space, and traffic hazards. The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather condition, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work closely with both domestic and wild animals and will be exposed to related hazards. The employee is regularly exposed to communicable and Zoonotic diseases. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Involves moderate exposure to dangerous situations. Involves moderate exposure to stress due to the work environment and/or crisis situations. Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review) Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Reviewed/Approved by: Dustin Liston, Police Chief (4/2024) of this job description, and I agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable accommodation. Employee Date ________________________________ __________________