<p>Cook County</p> <p>Sheriff</p> <p>Job Code: XXXX</p> <p>Job Title: Animal Welfare Coordinator</p> <p>Salary Grade: 16</p> <p>Department: Tales of Redemption</p> <p>Bargaining Unit: N/A</p> <p>Position Details: Civilian (non-sworn) / non-merit ranked / internal & external candidates</p> <p>FLSA Status: Non-Exempt</p> <p>Probation Period: 12 Months</p> <p>Characteristics of the Position</p> <p>General Overview</p> <p>The Animal Welfare Coordinator will work within the Cook County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) Tails of Redemption Program (TOR), reporting to the Director of Tails of Redemption. The Animal Welfare Coordinator is responsible for assessing animals in the custody of TOR for medical health for the entire duration at the program. They will both administer and inventory medicine to animals in the program and schedule veterinary appointments when/if necessary. They will create profiles for the animals that are available for adoption and for the animals in training for Therapy K9 roles. They will evaluate the personality of the animals to determine the most suitable adoption placement and assist in screening and communication for adoptions. They will also consult on training equipment for TOR program.</p> <p>Key Responsibilities and Duties</p> <p>Monitor animals at TOR daily, ensuring animals are not displaying medical issues requiring immediate attention.</p> <p>Develop infection prevention and control plans, including making recommendations for daily cleaning and disinfecting of TOR.</p> <p>Complete and maintain medical records, treatment plans and recommendations, and follow up with shelter partners as necessary.</p> <p>Have experience and ability to develop temperament, behavioral needs, and personality profiles to better determine best suitable placement for animals.</p> <p>Answer and return phone calls and emails from potential adopters and other agencies inquiring about Therapy K9s.</p> <p>Manage and maintain inventory of supplies for training and care of animals.</p> <p>Aid training staff to ascertain the most effective training methods and customize the training to the specific needs of each animal.</p> <p>Aid training staff with preparation of potential Therapy K9s training in TOR.</p> <p>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities</p> <p>Possess a thorough knowledge of proper health and safety of animals to prevent spread of diseases.</p> <p>Possess familiarity to commonly used medications in dogs and other domestic pets.</p> <p>Possess experience with a variety of training methods.</p> <p>Possess proficiency in maintaining detailed, efficient, and accurate work-related documentation and record keeping.</p> <p>Possess an understanding of enrichment programs that improve the well-being of domestic pets and is prepared to continue investigating various enrichment programs.</p> <p>Possess a strong sense of compassion and patience when working with high energy, untrained dogs and other animals.</p> <p>Possess exceptional interpersonal abilities when interacting with potential adopters or law enforcement agencies.</p> <p>Ability to use TOR selection criteria to identify potential Therapy K9s.</p> <p>Ability to examine health of animals in TOR and determine if/when medication or veterinary attention is needed.</p> <p>Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.</p> <p>Ability to work cooperatively and professionally with shelter partners.</p> <p>Ability to meet prescribed deadlines.</p> <p>Ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time throughout the course of the assigned shift.</p> <p>Minimum Qualifications</p> <p>Associate degree or higher, from an accredited college or university</p> <p>Two (2) or more years of full time, professional work experience in a veterinary hospital or clinic or Two (2) or more years of full time, professional work experience in an animal shelter in an animal welfare related role.</p> <p>Two (2) or more years of full time, professional work experience with managing dogs exhibiting aggression, reactivity, fear and anxiety.</p> <p>Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.</p> <p>Ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time throughout the course of the assigned shift.</p> <p>Ability to work in various weather conditions.</p> <p>Ability to work any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnights; must be capable of working holidays and weekends; must be capable of working overtime, as required.</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <p>Four (4) years or more of college, undergraduate's degree, bachelor's degree in a related field.</p> <p>Three (3) or more years of full time, professional work experience in a veterinary hospital.</p> <p>Three (3) or more years of full time, professional work experience with managing dogs exhibiting aggression, reactivity, fear and anxiety.</p> <p>Three (3) or more years of full time, professional work experience in an animal shelter.</p> <p>Possession of bilingual language skills.</p> <p>Certified in obedience training or any other animal training.</p> <p>Previous internship at the Cook County Sheriff's Office.</p> <p>The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.</p> <p>Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff's Employment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link: https://www.cookcountysheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Recruitment-and-Selection-Process-10-17-19.pdf</p> <p>Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.</p> <p>The Cook County Sheriff's Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.</p> <p>All Cook County Sheriff's Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site.</p> <ul> <li>Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected. </li></ul> <p>I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action. Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.</p> <p>EEO Statement</p> <p>At the Cook County Sheriff's Office, we value and embrace you. It's our belief that diversity and inclusion is an essential component to our success as an organization. Accordingly, we are committed to provide a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Cook County Sheriff's Office policy applies throughout the employment relationship-including recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, separation, and day-to-day practices. The Cook County Sheriff's Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color and ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, medical history, genetic information, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. Employment decisions will be based on an applicant's merit and qualifications, the position requirements, and our business needs.</p> <p>Benefits</p> <p>Health Insurance Program - Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.</p> <p>Holidays - Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year</p> <p>Sick Leave - Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.</p> <p>Vacation Leave - Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee's anniversary date of employment.</p> <p>Life Insurance - Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee's annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.</p> <p>Pension Plan - Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten (10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.</p> <p>Deferred Compensation Program - Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.</p> <p>The 2025 Cook County Employee Benefits Overview can be viewed at https://www.cookcountyil.gov/sites/g/files/ywwepo161/files/documents/2024-10/OE25.Employee Benefits Overview_FINAL..pdf</p> <p>Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace</p> <p>It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff's Office to provide a drug- and alcohol-free workplace for all members.</p> <p>It is imperative that all Sheriff's Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff's Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random, or based on reasonable suspicion.</p> <p>INCLUSION</p> <p>We welcome you-the whole you. Your background, your culture, your ethnicity, your unique experiences, your way of looking at the world. We truly believe that your individuality helps us create a diverse, inclusive, and inspired workplace in which every ethnicity, nationality, religion, elder status, family structure and gender identity is embraced and valued. We also welcome your passion for making the lives of children, your co-workers, and our organization better. Because as different as we are, that's the common theme that will always keep us moving forward together. <em>Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.</em> This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification and ineligible for appointment to, or employment in, a position in the County service for a period of five years. For current Cook County Sheriff's employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and ineligible for appointment to or employment in a position in the County service for a period of five years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).</p> <p>THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER NOTE</p> <p>As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules. "The Cook County Sheriff's Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff's Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff's Office hiring decision. Cook County Sheriff's officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Compliance Officer. If the Cook County Compliance Officer sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff's Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable."</p>