Animal Care Attendant I

About the role

As of July 2, 2026, the pay range will be $20.67 - $33.57. Anne Arundel County Animal Services is dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of animals and ensuring safe human-animal interactions. Animal Services is responsible for enforcing local and state laws, responding to animal-related complaints, conducting investigations regarding animal cruelty, investigating public safety concerns pertaining to animals, and providing temporary housing for animals for a variety of reasons.

Responsibilities

• Assists with intake duties for animals brought to the shelter;
• Assists in the adoption and redemption of animals;
• Cleans, disinfects, and maintains sanitary conditions of kennels, cages, corrals, and grounds;
• Maintains daily logs for animals including sick, injured, and medicated;
• Performs routine maintenance and monitors repairs of facilities and equipment;
• Aids in the preparation, restraint, medicating, vaccinating, and performing euthanasia of animals;
• Provides information to the general public regarding the adoption process, laws, and animal care;
• Assists with the maintenance of rabies information from rabies clinics and with the administration of vaccinations and deworming;
• Completes Animal Data Sheets (ADS);
• Transports animals, delivers and picks up animal traps;
• Testifies in court as required regarding criminal cases or other animal law cases;
• Provides backup in the absence of the Animal Care Attendant II;
• Assists in the receipt of money from the public as related to the Animal Control Agency;
• Performs related work as required.

Requirements

• Sufficient education to understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Six (6) or more months of experience in the knowledge of various breeds, coloration, and treatment of animals;
• A valid non-commercial Class C motor vehicle operator's license from the State or an equivalent license from another State;
• One (1) year working professionally with animals; Kennel, Shelter or Animal Control experience.

Qualifications

• Ability to safely and humanely handle and care for animals of all sizes and temperaments;
• Ability to follow appropriate procedures to assist with vaccinations and deworming;
• Ability to utilize leashes, control sticks, animal traps, and other animal handling equipment;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions;
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as scheduled;
• Ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted regularly, 50+ pounds assisted;
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activity on a daily basis, including lifting, carrying, reaching, stooping, squatting, standing, bending;
• Ability to be comfortable working with cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish, wildlife;
• Ability to work in possible conditions such as deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; hostile, irate persons; zoonotic or other diseases; unpleasant noises, odors, sights; extreme temperatures.

Skills

• Knowledge of hazards and safety practices involved in dealing with animals;
• Knowledge of laws and ordinances governing animal protection and control;
• Knowledge of animal breeds, coloration, and behaviors of animals and animal euthanasia techniques;
• Equipment handling for animal care and protection.

Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance Plans: BlueChoice Advantage EPO, BlueChoice Advantage PPO, CIGNA Dental PPO (Buy-Up), CIGNA Dental PPO (CORE), CIGNA Dental HMO (DHMO)
• Dental Insurance: CIGNA Dental PPO (Buy-Up), CIGNA Dental PPO (CORE), CIGNA Dental HMO (DHMO)
• Vision Insurance: EyeMed
• Employee Life Insurance: Term insurance of $10,000 for employees at no cost.
• Disability Income Insurance
• Pension Plan: Normal retirement after 30 years of service or Age 60 and 10 years of service or election to enroll in the Employees Retirement Savings Plan.
• Deferred Compensation Section 457 Plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Dependent Care Reimbursement
• Health Care Reimbursement
• Voluntary Benefits: Universal Life Insurance with Long Term Care Rider, United Legal Benefits 01

Pay

The pay range for this position is $20.67 - $33.57 as of July 2, 2026.

Schedule

This is a 24/7 facility providing humane and proper handling of shelter animals. Work is performed under general supervision in the respite, care, custody, and disposition of animals, and the operation and maintenance of animal shelter facilities.