Animal Care Support Specialist

Animal Care Support Specialist

Salary

$53,453.40 - $93,543.65 Annually

Location

9375 Chesapeake St., Ste. 123, La Plata, MD 20646, MD

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2026-00191

Department

ES ANIMAL CONTROL

Opening Date

08/31/2026

Closing Date

9/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Summary

Performs general office clerical work in support of department operations. The work involves performing responsible office tasks requiring an understanding of the substantive operations of the office or department and including responsible contacts with the public and others for the purpose of facilitating the publics use of services. Workers initiate own daily assignments, follow through on matters, and use independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with standard recurring situations.

Essential Job Functions

• Processes information by computer data entry; codes and verifies data; updates, edits, and corrects data files; produces computer generated reports.
• Performs assignments requiring knowledge of office/departmental operations.
• Ensures accurate preparation and maintenance of operating records of the unit by compiling information and monitoring on an ongoing basis actions pertaining to such records to ensure they are kept accurate and up to date.
• Receives and examines applications, data, or other documents regarding substantive operations of the unit for accuracy and initiates follow up steps to clear up discrepancies, notify parties of changes in procedures or requirements, instruct others in procedures and in other ways ensure that the data are accurate and acceptable for use; maintains databases and data files containing such data, managing such information to provide information to unit management and to generate reports.
• Receives and assists visitors to the office; queries visitors and directs them to appropriate staff or offices; answers substantive questions regarding office/department operations for the purpose of facilitating the use of services.
• Assists the public, clientele, and others in accessing and making use of department services by advising them regarding their needs and services provided.
• Operate multi-line telephone, receiving, screening, and referring telephone calls; queries callers and transfers or refers calls to appropriate staff or other offices.
• Receives and routes mail; directs items to other staff or County offices as appropriate; makes travel arrangements and compiles expense reports as directed.
• Attends staff meetings, takes notes and transcribes notes, and prepares minutes.
• Maintains manual and/or automated financial, accounting, personnel and other administrative and management files and records; ensures confidentiality of files and records and uses discretion in controlling access to and release of information.
• Produces a variety of typed or word-processed documents such as letters, memoranda, and reports; transcribes oral and/or machine dictation, or types copy from drafts; proofs and edits typed materials for accuracy of grammar, spelling, punctuation and format and makes corrections; ensures adherence to established style guides and formats.
• Works with the Health Department to send authorization letters for Rabies and Vaccinations and with our Licensing Programs and Citation Databases.
• Serve as the Division's Public Information Act (PIA) person.
• Orders supplies, forms, furniture, and other materials and equipment and maintains inventory of supplies for the Division.
• Preparation and entry of Animal Control payroll.
• Handles minor problems, prepares DPW work requests and coordinates facility maintenance. Interacts with vendors and maintenance personnel.
• Works with the Chief to coordinate plans and schedules; takes appropriate actions to maintain effective coordination in the day-to-day operations.
• Coordinates monthly report material and performance measure tracking.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:

Any acceptable combination of education, training and experience that provides the above Knowledge, abilities and skills may be substituted on a year for year basis.

High school diploma or acceptable equivalency diploma (GED), including or supplemented by courses in office practices. Two (2) years of progressively responsible experience working with animals; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Four (4) years of general office clerical experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

A valid drivers license.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Designated positions may be required to take and transcribe oral dictation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Modern office procedures and practices including operation of office appliances such as calculators, computers, typewriters, and word processors.
• Basic identification of various animal species.
• Perform office assignments involving substantive operations of the unit requiring an understanding of unit operations, programs, databases and policies.
• Assist the public, clientele, and others to utilize services by explaining, instructing and advising them regarding Animal complaints.
• Perform general office clerical work quickly and efficiently.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is mostly sedentary with periods of light physical activity and is performed in office surroundings. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is subject to frequent interruptions.

Department/Division: Department of Emergency Services/Animal Control

Pay Grade: 110

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: No

Reports to: Chief of Animal Control

Supervises: None

Charles County Government

BENEFITS SUMMARY

www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD

Health Insurance

Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.

Flexible Spending Account

Provides medical and dependent care options.

Supplemental Income Products

Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.

Long Term Disability Insurance

No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month.

Life Insurance

No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.

Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan - Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.

Deferred Compensation Plan

457(b) Governmental Plan - Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.

Employee Leave

• Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
• The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.

Transfer of Sick Leave

New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.

Work Schedules

• Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.

Additional Fringe Benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
• Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
• House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
• Free, Employee Wellness Programs
• Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)

Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2026

01

Do you have at least 4 years general office/clerical experience?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least two (2) years of progressively responsible experience working with animals; or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

• Yes
• No

03

Please describe your experience with handling and maintaining confidential information.

04

Please briefly describe your administrative/clerical experience.

05

Please briefly describe your experience working in an environment with frequent interruptions.

06

As employees of Charles County Government, we are public servants. What does being a public servant mean to you?

07

Do you have a valid Drivers License?

• Yes
• No

08

The position you are applying for requires an acceptable driving record. The Charles County Government employee driving policy states that employees will be considered to have an acceptable driving record if ALL of the following statements are true: - I do not exceed a maximum of four (4) points on my driving record. - I do not have a suspended or revoked license. - I do not have a single motor vehicle violation, conviction, or plea of Nolo Contendere, or the acceptance of Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) involving the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, refusal to take an alcohol or drug test, or the misuse of legal over-the-counter medication for any of these violations. - I have not demonstrated a pattern of unsafe vehicle operation as evidenced by moving violations or single infraction of such severity (e.g., eluding a police officer; evading responsibility; failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, reckless driving, etc.). According to these guidelines, do you have an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Charles County Government