Job Description

JOB INFORMATION

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THIS POSITION IS BEING RECRUITED AS A COUNTY WIDE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY. ONLY CURRENT REGULAR AND PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES OF FREDERICK COUNTY GOVERNMENT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR ELIGIBILITY OR HOW THIS EMPLOYMENT CHANGE MAY AFFECT YOUR COMPENSATION, PLEASE CONTACT

RECRUITMENT@FREDERICKCOUNTYMD.GOV

The Frederick County Division of Animal Control is committed to serving the community through education and resources, humane law enforcement, and animal sheltering. We are proud of an impressive legacy of progressive thinking and community outreach that has reduced animal intake, reduced unwanted litters, and ultimately reduced animal euthanasia. Members of the Animal Control team, have a unique opportunity to not only make a difference for the homeless animals of Frederick County, but to engage in a rewarding career that demands hard work, integrity, high standards, and constant learning. Working with animals and serving the public-what better job could there be?
Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible); full-time; 40 hours per week; varied hours during Animal Control's normal operating hours; every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.



This position provides administrative, secretarial and data management support for the Animal Control Division. This position also performs reception duties for the office. Supervision is received from the Office Manager, Director, and/or Deputy Director.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy.

For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan + Vesting after 5 years of service
+ Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan. Coming in 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care

For more information, visit our

benefits

page on the Frederick County Government

job opportunities webpage

.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

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Serve as receptionist for visitors and telephone callers, providing information, assistance, directions and/or referrals as appropriate Serve as cashier for business transactions Assist with adoption interviews Assist in the process of returning animals to owners Prepare correspondences, memorandums, forms, reports and other written work for approval and signature Provides customer service and public outreach; defuses potentially contentious situations Maintain manual records/files and computerized database of animals; compile, prepare and maintain reports In the absence of other Animal Control Division staff, serve as back-up for other administrative duties as needed Assist with updates and maintenance of Animal Control Division websites; respond to e-communications as needed Update animal lost and found reports, contacting possible owners, scheduling return-to-owners Verify animal inventory by checking each kennel daily Coordinates appointments for microchip clinics, prepares data forms with owner information, explains the microchipping process to pet owners Responds to emails, phone calls, and voicemails in a timely manner Perform clerical office duties Manages the shelter's stray pet page; investigates social media posts regarding lost/found pets to determine possible matches/ownership Schedule euthanasia requests from residents of Frederick County Provides resource information regarding lost/found pets, microchipping, alternatives to owned animal surrenders Perform other related duties as required


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The essential duties do not cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

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The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.



High school diploma, or the equivalent Minimum 3 years of administrative support work experience which must include 1 year of direct customer service work experience Intermediate skills in Microsoft 365

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

Ability to effectively take down and transcribe meeting minutes (verbatim) from audio recording and/or handwritten notes Ability to effectively organize multiple tasks, establish priorities and to complete assigned duties with minimum supervision Ability to learn Federal, State, County and municipal laws and regulations governing the enforcement and control of animals, as well as other relevant sections of the Frederick County and Maryland State Code Ability to learn, use and comply with two-way radio communications regulations and standards Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills Strong math and clerical/record-keeping skills including the ability to accurately compile and verify statistical information, and to accurately prepare forms and reports Discretion and good judgment in dealing with confidential matters and sensitive information Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationship with co-workers, volunteers, organizations and the general public Ability to maintain a pleasant, professional demeanor while dealing with the public in a wide variety of circumstances Ability to effectively access and utilize word processing and data management systems and equipment assigned to the facility Ability to communicate with co-workers and customers, explaining and relaying appropriate and accurate information

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR

Work experience in a related setting to include any shelter, animal boarding facility, veterinary office, or other animal related business Work experience using a program registration or customer data management database Work experience using PetPoint Bilingual in Spanish

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is constantly sitting; occasionally walking, lifting up to 20 pounds, and reaching. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is constantly working indoors and rarely potentially exposed to infectious diseases.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

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Ability to provide own transportation for daily banking transactions

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):

Evaluation of qualifications and training One or more interviews


Frederick County Government is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources. Inquiries about accommodations can be sent to Recruitment@FrederickCountyMD.gov



Retirement Plan:

A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting, effective 07/01/2024) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.



Health Insurance

County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.



Dental Insurance:

Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment



NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.



Flexible Spending Accounts:

The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.



Life Insurance:

Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.



Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:

The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.



Educational Reimbursement Program:

County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.



Employee Assistance Program:

This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.



Leave

Annual Leave - Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year

0 - 2 years 11 days

2 - 10 years 17 days

10 + years 24 days



Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.



Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.



Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.



Holidays:

The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.



For additional information on Frederick County Governments benefit package, please visit the Division of Human Resources website at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov.



All hires before January 1, 2012, will follow the all benefit and leave rules as described in the Personnel Rules amended October 3, 2013.