Animal Keeper I - (Dallas Animal Services-Multiple Location) (Civil Service)

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Job Summary
Ensures the safe and humane care, such as feeding and cleaning, for animals that are kept in the city's animal shelters and stables.
Job Description

Overview
The Animal Keeper I performs general animal care and keeping duties for the department. Ensures the safe and human care of animals that are kept in the City's animal shelters and stables.
Essential Functions
1 Feeds, waters, exercises and grooms animals to ensure good health and appearance of animals.
2 Cleans and repairs kennels, stalls, or cages of animals to ensure proper sanitary and safety conditions.
3 Monitors and observes animals in cages or stalls to detect illnesses and injuries and ensure proper care is provided.
4 Assists animal control officers with unloading animals to place animals in kennel or in loading euthanized animals to transport to landfill
5 Assists senior animal control officers in euthanasia laboratory, or city veterinarians while examining animals.
6 Delivers animals to veterinary clinic for sterilization, evaluation, or minor treatment; transports animals to various locations for adoptions and other events.
7 Completes paperwork and handles telephone calls pertaining to public inquiries on adoption of animals or for locating animals that have been picked up by animal control officers.
8 Collects fees and writes receipts for registration and adoption of animals in shelter.
9 Performs any and all other work as needed or assigned.

Knowledge and Skills
1 Knowledge of animal care practices and policies.
2 Ability to meet, talk and deal effectively with the public.
3 Ability to acquire knowledge in the care and handling of animals.
4 Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
5 Ability to lift 50 pounds or more.
6 Communicating effectively verbally and in writing
7 Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications:

EXPERIENCE:

- Three (3) months paid animal feeding/animal care

OR

- Three (3) months volunteer experience at an animal shelter

OTHER REQUIREMENT(S):

- NO Felony Drug offenses within the last 10 years

- NO Animal Cruelty convictions

- Subject to extensive walking, bending, carrying, twisting and stooping

- Subject to inclement weather conditions

- Availability to work various shifts including nights, weekends & holidays

Departmental Note- Medical

The Medical Animal Keeper 1 is responsible for supporting daily medical operations at Dallas Animal Services, including assisting with animal care, cleaning and sanitation, animal handling, and maintaining a safe and organized environment across medical areas. This position works closely with veterinary staff and medical technicians to ensure animals receive appropriate care while following established medical protocols and safety procedures. The role requires strong attention to detail, the ability to recognize and report changes in an animal’s condition, accurate documentation, teamwork, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to animal welfare.

Departmental Note- Shelter

The Animal Keeper plays a vital role in ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of animals housed in the municipal shelter. This position is responsible for the daily cleaning and sanitation of animal enclosures, feeding and watering, safe handling and movement of animals, and monitoring animal behavior and health. Animal Keepers document observations, submit medical evaluation requests, and assist with humane euthanasia as needed. The role requires attention to detail, strong animal handling skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with compassion and professionalism.

Departmental Note- Pet Support

The Pet Support Animal Keeper 1 is responsible for triaging and impounding animals entering the shelter and for supporting community members seeking assistance with pets. This is a customer-service–focused role that works with people in sensitive situations, while making safe, policy-aligned intake decisions that are clearly and accurately documented. The position requires strong computer use for case documentation and communication, attention to detail, animal-handling skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment with compassion and professionalism.

Salary Range

$44,720.00 - $44,720.00

The salary listed on this job posting is the starting salary range; amount offered will depend upon qualifications.

City of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.