Animal Care Technician



Animal Care Technician

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

15114

Department

Public Health Services

Division

Veterinary Public Health

Opening Date

06/12/2025

Closing Date

7/14/2025 11:59 AM Central

Position Description

If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

 

About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.


Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the Kennel Supervisor, the Animal Care Technician is responsible for cleaning and sanitizing animal holding areas as required. The Animal Care Technician will be responsible for counseling citizens interested in pet adoptions, searching for lost pets, assisting in photographing animals and accurate data entry of animal and citizen information. This position also involves witnessing the humane euthanasia of animals.


Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for daily sanitation and maintenance of animal holding pens and cages.
  • Responsible for the daily feeding and watering of all animals in the shelter.
  • Assists in reviewing health status of animals and advises veterinary staff of any medical problems with animals in the shelter.
  • Humanely transports animals from unloading areas or reception area and ensures that animals are assigned kennels.
  • Assists citizens and fosters search for lost or adoptable pets, counsel new adopters on responsible pet ownership, and approves/rejects adoption applications.
  • Assists Kennel Supervisor with humane euthanasia as required.
  • Assist in daily task of photographing and updating information in database, on animals to be placed on the Internet.
  • Data entry.
  • Cleans, stores and maintains all equipment necessary for feeding, watering and care of animals.


Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx 
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education:

  • High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.

Experience:

  • At least one (1) year experience working in an animal shelter, animal care environment, or pet ownership.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
  • Must be comfortable working with animals.
  • Must be willing to assist the supervisor with humane euthanasia of animals.

Core Competencies:

Organizational Leadership

  • Understands the organizational mission
  • Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
  • Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others

Collaboration

  • Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
  • Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
  • Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs

Innovation

  • Ability to adapt to change

Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics

  • Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
  • Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
  • Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
  • Uses sound judgment
  • Self-motivated
  • Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity

Communication

  • Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing


NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation, but ONLY the information stated on the application will be used for consideration.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

  • This is a Full-Time position; 40 hours per week.
  • This position requires flexibility in schedules.

Work Environment:

  • This job operates in an animal shelter environment. Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.

Physical Demands:

  • Will be required to bend, lift, stoop, and stand for long periods of time. Frequent lifting of animals or materials up to 50 pounds.

Work Location:

  • Harris County Pets - Veterinary Public Health: 612 Canino Rd, Houston, TX 77076.


Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. 

 Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

20250609151308_hcbenefits.jpg


HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.


The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:


Health & Wellness Benefits

  • Medical Coverage
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Wellness Plan
  • Life Insurance 
  • Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
  • Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

  • Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
  • Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
  • One (1) floating holiday per year
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan


The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

  • Professional learning & development opportunities
  • Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan) 
  • Flexible work schedule*
  • METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by department.


In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.


For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?
  • High School or GED diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or higher
  • N/A; No Degree
02
Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience working in an animal shelter, animal care environment, or pet ownership? (To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)
  • Less than one (1) year.
  • One (1) year or more.
  • I do not have this experience.
03
Please provide details about your verifiable experience related to working in an animal shelter, animal care environment, or pet ownership. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
04
You are working on a project that requires using multiple Microsoft Office applications. Which of the following best describes your ability to efficiently complete tasks using MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)?
  • I have basic knowledge and can perform simple tasks such as drafting documents, creating spreadsheets, and sending emails.
  • I have intermediate proficiency and can format documents, use formulas in Excel, create presentations with animations, and manage calendars in Outlook.
  • I am highly proficient and can use advanced Excel functions (e.g., pivot tables, macros), design professional PowerPoint presentations, and integrate data across multiple Office applications.
  • I have little to no experience using MS Office Suite.
05
How comfortable are you working with animals ?
  • Very comfortable – I enjoy working with animals and have experience.
  • Comfortable – I’m confident working with animals even if I don’t have direct experience.
  • Somewhat comfortable – I’m open to it but may need some guidance.
  • Not comfortable – I prefer not to work directly with animals.
06
Are you willing to assist a supervisor with the humane euthanasia of animals?
  • Yes, I understand the responsibility and am willing to assist.
  • Yes, I am willing, though I have not done it before and may need guidance.
  • I’m unsure – I would need more information or training before deciding.
  • No, I am not comfortable with this responsibility.

Required Question

Employer
Harris County
Address
1111 Fannin St
Ste. 600
Houston, Texas, 77002
Phone
713-274-5445