Animal Services AssistantIt is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.Why Work for Aurora?Make a difference in the lives of real people every dayDiverse communityCompetitive total compensation packageWell-Funded General Employees Retirement PlanLight rail station minutes awayOn-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancementAccess to innovation workspacesSalary to be commensurate with experience. The hiring range for this position is $19.08- $23.85 /hourly. This is classified as VHNE (Variable Hour Non-Benefit Employee), where the selected candidate will work less than 29 hours per week. This position does not provide medical benefits.
This position earns sick leave in accordance with the Healthy Families and Workplace Act.This job announcement is for collecting candidate applications for current and future Animal Services Assistants. Applicants will be contacted only when a position need is identified, and their qualifications match the position's needs.Overview of Position / DepartmentThe City of Aurora is seeking a skilled Animal Services Assistant to provide humane care and treatment for sheltered animals. This position will be cleaning and maintaining kennel facilities while helping patrons.Primary Duties & ResponsibilitiesProvides humane care, treatment and safe handling of animals in the shelter including feeding, cleaning, grooming and enrichmentDegrease all interior and exterior kennel wallsSweep and mop all floors dailyEmpty all trash cans each dayWash and sanitize all food containers, water buckets and litter boxesDeep clean and sanitize every kennel once it is empty including beddingWash, dry, fold and put away all laundry dailyDust and cleans all pipes and vents in kennel areaIntake animals left in the night drop kennels and sanitizes kennel once emptyIntakes animals brought in by the public to include photographing, vaccinating, weighing, data entry and kennelingPerforms an initial physical exam to look for injuries or illness and reports to veterinary services, if foundTraces microchips and tags for owner contact information on stray animalsAssists with kenneling and movement of animals and updates animal records to reflect movement or change in statusEducate prospective adopters in adoption of suitable pet: reviews and completes adoption paperwork and conducts dog-dog meet and greetsProcesses animals for release to their owners including verifying ownership, that the animal is cleared to be released to owner and providing owner with all medical paperworkContacting an Animal Protection Officer if a summons has been initiated for the owner of the animalPerform kennel inventory to ensure all animals are accounted for dailyResponds to heavy phone call volume and calls back citizens who left messages and documents each phone call in a logResponds to citizen emailsProvides citizens information on services offered by Aurora Animal ServicesProcesses all paperwork and data entry for Community Cat Caretakers, Fancier's Permit applicants, private trappers, guard dog permitsPerforms euthanasia and related tasksAbility to safely use all shelter equipment efficientlyTransports animals and cleans and maintains the transport vehicleAbility to administer microchips and all vaccinations to animals available for adoptionMedicate sick and injured animals as neededSpot clean kennels throughout the dayProvide differing enrichment items to the dogs and cats each day and cleans up after or walks dogsAssists in janitorial and light maintenance dutiesMaintains grounds including picking up trashOrganize donated items and place in the appropriate area for each useOperate and close out the cash drawer dailyBathe dogs as neededPerforms other related duties as assignedMinimum Qualifications & Working ConditionsAn equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.Education:High School Diploma or GEDExperience:One year of animal related experience or customer service experiencePreferred Qualifications:One year of experience working in an animal shelterEuthanasia Certification within one yearKnowledge:General knowledge of companion animal welfare, breeds and speciesSkills:Animal handling skillsProviding friendly customer serviceExcellent interpersonal communication skillsStrong attention to detailAbilities:Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizensHandle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacyAbility to complete work without close supervisionProvide humane care and treatment for a variety of animalsPerform euthanasiaCreatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive mannerOperate a city vehicleLicenses and Certifications Required:Valid Colorado Driver's LicenseWorking ConditionsEssential Personnel: When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.Physical Demands: Medium work that involves moving no more than 50 pounds with or without assistance at a time. Subject to animal bites and scratches. May require frequent pushing, pulling, bending and stooping. Clear vision to read and interpret notes and other written documents. Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens.
Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard. Foot/eye coordination for operation of a motor vehicle.Work Environment: Works primarily indoors in a shelter setting with exposure to dust, water, noise, animal dander, odors and fumes, but may occasionally work outside assisting at outreach events.Equipment Used: Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel and shelter Chameleon database. This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment. This position may require the use of hand tools and equipment common to kennel operations.The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.
We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission. Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment